Joan Jett does this song from the 80s called "Do you wanna touch......."
And, well.....Joan is getting up there in years.
You need to watch the video here on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHvm88yVvNQ
And then, I want you to picture Joan as a 72 year old woman singing the song. She's only 22 years away from 72.
Hahahahah.
Visuals.
Gotta love 'em.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
When A Singer/Songwriter "makes it"
I'm the distro list for the venue - Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis, MD.
I got an email notification about some shows going on there and one of the performers is Shawn Colvin.
I've seen her on the CBS TV show '2nd Cup Cafe' or something like that and seen her on TV and heard her Sonny Came Home song (which I believe is an homage to Sonny Bono going home to Cher).
Just kidding.
So, here's a photo from the Rams Head Tavern Ticketing Page for Shawn Colvin the cost of the ticket is $55.
Fifty Five Dollars.
That's.....Fihf - Tee Fi-v-uh Dah-lerzzz
Ok ..... it's $55.
Now - What I'm about to write, may be harsh and I won't ask you to forgive it, because - it's my opinion. And, my opinion and your opinion are - JUST THAT.
Opinions.
However.....I'm not driving an hour (on a good day in DC area traffic) to see Shawn Colvin.
I'm not going to spend the cash on gas, mileage, wear on my car and all that good stuff to go see her and spend $55 for the ticket PLUS whatever I buy there. That's just too much for me.
And, maybe if I were into her music more I would consider it, but, I cant do $55.
Is this why some fans get tired of musicians?
Shawn is in her early 40s so, her fans have grown older with her and hopefully she's picked up some new ones along the way. But, sadly, I guess I'm at the point where I'm rating musicians and movies, and food, etc...by the amount of money I spend to _____ them.
And, if people will pay 3.50/gallon for gas....they'll pay $55 to see Shawn....but, because I'm not a fan (yet), I cant say I'd be able to go for it.
And, I'd have to be a hard-core fan to go.
Does this make me bitter? Or - the dreaded - "OLD!!!!!" ?
I dont know.
And, I just thought about opinions/opining/etc....and, came up with this definition about opinions:
So…opinions are like bunyons.Or…hemorrhoids.Or foot odor….yeh…foot odor.
We all have foot odor and no one wants to smell our feet, but, when we take those shoes off…they have no choice.
So, that’s what this woman did. She took her shoes off and her feet stunk.
And, you didn’t want to smell it.
David Wilcox's show was like $25/ticket and it was at the wolftrap barnes and, well....the wolftrap barnes is 100% better than Rams Head in Annapolis - for many reasons (starting with the sound and the stage).
Ok.
I think my rant is done.
I got an email notification about some shows going on there and one of the performers is Shawn Colvin.
I've seen her on the CBS TV show '2nd Cup Cafe' or something like that and seen her on TV and heard her Sonny Came Home song (which I believe is an homage to Sonny Bono going home to Cher).
Just kidding.
So, here's a photo from the Rams Head Tavern Ticketing Page for Shawn Colvin the cost of the ticket is $55.Fifty Five Dollars.
That's.....Fihf - Tee Fi-v-uh Dah-lerzzz
Ok ..... it's $55.
Now - What I'm about to write, may be harsh and I won't ask you to forgive it, because - it's my opinion. And, my opinion and your opinion are - JUST THAT.
Opinions.
However.....I'm not driving an hour (on a good day in DC area traffic) to see Shawn Colvin.
I'm not going to spend the cash on gas, mileage, wear on my car and all that good stuff to go see her and spend $55 for the ticket PLUS whatever I buy there. That's just too much for me.
And, maybe if I were into her music more I would consider it, but, I cant do $55.
Is this why some fans get tired of musicians?
Shawn is in her early 40s so, her fans have grown older with her and hopefully she's picked up some new ones along the way. But, sadly, I guess I'm at the point where I'm rating musicians and movies, and food, etc...by the amount of money I spend to _____ them.
And, if people will pay 3.50/gallon for gas....they'll pay $55 to see Shawn....but, because I'm not a fan (yet), I cant say I'd be able to go for it.
And, I'd have to be a hard-core fan to go.
Does this make me bitter? Or - the dreaded - "OLD!!!!!" ?
I dont know.
And, I just thought about opinions/opining/etc....and, came up with this definition about opinions:
So…opinions are like bunyons.Or…hemorrhoids.Or foot odor….yeh…foot odor.
We all have foot odor and no one wants to smell our feet, but, when we take those shoes off…they have no choice.
So, that’s what this woman did. She took her shoes off and her feet stunk.
And, you didn’t want to smell it.
David Wilcox's show was like $25/ticket and it was at the wolftrap barnes and, well....the wolftrap barnes is 100% better than Rams Head in Annapolis - for many reasons (starting with the sound and the stage).
Ok.
I think my rant is done.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Album Review - Stuart Ferguson - Shackles & Ties
It's funny.
I see the "&" in the title here and I think to my daughter who's 4 asking me what the letter is and what it means.
I know it typically means the letter 'n' but it has some 48 syllable word that goes along with it. Kinda like the singer Prince - who's no longer Prince..... or is now back to Prince but he was a 'symbol' at one point.
But I ask you....what does that have to do with Stuart Ferguson?
Well, he had the great fortune to put the "&" in his album title - Shackles & Ties...and, you have someone like me writing about his music :).
I was introduced to Stuart's music about 2 1/2 months ago when he friended me on my myspace page.
Instantly I was drawn to one of his songs from when I finished college - One Thing Leads To Another (not the song by The Fixx).
And, here we are - 2 1/2 months later and his music has just reached inside of me and grabbed me and held my attention.
I told him about the radio show and within about a week, I had 2 CDs with his music and was featuring his music on the show.
I have a connection to Stuart's music.
Each Song tells a story - whether it be fiction or non-fiction.
And, the beauty of singer-songwriters is that the music always has a piece of them in it and how they view the world.
If I were to whip out a 'small review' of Shackles & Ties, I'd have to say this:
What’s great about listening to Stuart Ferguson’s music is that I genuinely want to listen to it over and over again because I know I’ll hear something new or hear something differently in his music or lyrics.
Stuart’s abilities as a singer/songwriter remind me of the Ghost of Christmas Past carrying Mister Magoo through the air to see the life he had in his younger days. How many singer/songwriters do you know that can take you with them to show you the things they want you to see and hear in the songs they write and sing?
Doing that is a gift that Stuart is sharing with us all if we take a moment to say yes to his invitation to join him and his guitar - Busby. Stuart and Busby’s tempo changes and image-laden lyrics will keep your interest throughout Shackles & Ties and even catch you off-guard too.
Stuart tells a story with each song that you want to hear over and over again to make sure you get that last crumb and when each song ends, you long to have it on again.
Stuart’s abilities as a singer/songwriter remind me of the Ghost of Christmas Past carrying Mister Magoo through the air to see the life he had in his younger days. How many singer/songwriters do you know that can take you with them to show you the things they want you to see and hear in the songs they write and sing?
Doing that is a gift that Stuart is sharing with us all if we take a moment to say yes to his invitation to join him and his guitar - Busby. Stuart and Busby’s tempo changes and image-laden lyrics will keep your interest throughout Shackles & Ties and even catch you off-guard too.
Stuart tells a story with each song that you want to hear over and over again to make sure you get that last crumb and when each song ends, you long to have it on again.
Pick up his CD by going to www.stuartferguson.net and let his music become intertwined in your life of music.
Become his friend on myspace at www.myspace.com/stuartgferguson.
Sent him an email to let him know what you thought of his music.
Check back for the full blown album review - It's taking me longer to do than I would have expected.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Glen Phillips and Jonathan Kingham
I went out last night with my friend Tina to see Glen Phillips (Lead Singer Toad the Wet Schprockets) and Jonathan Kingham.We had a fun time.
Jonathan and Glen were out front before the show selling their latest and greatest music and, I struck up a conversation with Jonathan before I recognized who he was.
When I met him, he reminded me of a guy I worked with - John Dawson - and just one of those nice, gentle people you meet.
We couldn't talk long but we instantly connected while we spoke.
I introduced myself - later I would find out his Grandfather and I share the same name. He did too.
And we talked about music, the people who were there, etc...
Eventually he had to go - because, well, he's performing - ahahahaah.
Jonathan did about 5 songs I think and one - was priceless.
He did a song called - Every Little Step by Bobby Brown and he threw my name out there as being an older College Student he'd just met.
It was funny. He was funny. And, really good with the song.
He went Freestyle and threw in his own lyrics that have everyone laughing.
At the end of the night, I spoke with him for a few minutes and I brought up luka bloom's I Need Love and Jonathan knew EXACTLY what I was talking about.
That was good.
Glen was good too.
He was up there playing his outside of TtWs Songs and he whipped out a few Toad the Wet Schprockets songs. Jonathan joined him on guitar for a good chunk of the night.
How'd it feel?
Great.
My friend Tina yelled to Glen to take off his shirt - which led to Glen adding a few funny comments. Tina and her friend Terri are known for yelling "Take off your shirt!" "Take Off Your Pants!" at shows like this - or at bars. So, this was not something new Tina was doing - hahahah.
I met a nice 24 yr old girl at the show also - Jehan I believe her name is. She said she'd become our friend on Myspace and listen to the show.
That's cool.
All in all. A good time. A good nite.
Give these guys a little love by finding them
Here for Jonathan
And, Here for Glen (note, Glen and Toad the Wet Schprockets will be in Alexandria, Virginia on June 14)
http://www.myspace.com/glenphillips
http://www.glenphillips.com/
http://www.myspace.com/glenphillipshttp://www.glenphillips.com/
---------
PS - Yes, I know that I did a play on the spelling of Schprockets. If it was a big deal to you, then I can only say this: Lighten Up Francis
Go check out our myspace at www.myspace.com/independentsuncovered and friend us....before we friend you - haahaha.
PS - Yes, I know that I did a play on the spelling of Schprockets. If it was a big deal to you, then I can only say this: Lighten Up Francis
Go check out our myspace at www.myspace.com/independentsuncovered and friend us....before we friend you - haahaha.
Friday, March 21, 2008
The Local Musician
Yesterday I went out to Jammin' Java to see Celeste Starchild play.
I got there just as she was playing Apple Of My Eye - a great song we just introduced this past week on our show.
I walk into Jammin' Java and there's Justin Trawick - right there.
He was funny - I was so happy to see him I gave him a hug.
He says - hey john! - Ok - we're hugging. Ok.
hhaahahahahaahahahahahahahah.
I was excited to see him and off his right shoulder was Jean - his bass playing, stage sharing, and good friend.
Celeste - was great. And, she had this great dress on. Stunning is a word that comes to mind.
One thing about Celeste is that well - I think red is an awesome color on her so her red and white dress, red lipstick fair complexion and brown hair, just really added to the whole experience of seeing her live.
A chick.
In a dress.
Playing guitar.
It was cool.
And I got to talk with her near the end of the entire showcase of bands.
She's great to talk with and fun - and she's got a full time job outside of music too.
And that leads me to a little discussion here:
Local bands/musicians
Where does your money go when you pay for the show?
- The bands/musicians get paid but usually there are things that come out of their payment:
- Food
- Drinks (so if a musician asks you to buy him/her a beer or one for the band, this is why)
To get the gig that you're paying for, they've typically:
- Driven to countless open mic nights and driven all over creation to play and introduce themselves to other bands
- Paid for their gear - out of their own pockets (That's Guitars, Strings, Amplifiers, cables, mic's
- If they have a CD, they've paid for that cost all up front and, their handing out free CDs to people at radio stations, people in the industry, etc... so they can be heard (hopefully)
- Taken a job they use as a means to an end.
- May not have health benefits - and we all know how much a doctor's visit is.
That's right - the musician's hope is to be seen/heard and become successful.
JUST LIKE WE DO IN THE PROFESSIONAL WORK FORCE FOLKS.
We have jobs where we want to be seen and heard and move up the ladder and get raises, etc...
But, the musician is taking it on the chin for the love of their craft.
Think about it.
The person scanning your food at the grocery store. The person taking some babysitting gigs. The person you see with their guitar case open in the street somewhere. And, in some places, they PAY for the use of that spot and have to hope that they recoup that money by 'busking.'
And, in other cases, the musician is sitting across from you in a meeting discussing strategy for the company to get $1 Billion in Sales Revenues.
You really never know.
So, I'm rambling here, but, to wrap all of this up:
1. Thanks Celeste and Audrey for the CD for our show
I got there just as she was playing Apple Of My Eye - a great song we just introduced this past week on our show.
I walk into Jammin' Java and there's Justin Trawick - right there.
He was funny - I was so happy to see him I gave him a hug.
He says - hey john! - Ok - we're hugging. Ok.
hhaahahahahaahahahahahahahah.
I was excited to see him and off his right shoulder was Jean - his bass playing, stage sharing, and good friend.
Celeste - was great. And, she had this great dress on. Stunning is a word that comes to mind.
One thing about Celeste is that well - I think red is an awesome color on her so her red and white dress, red lipstick fair complexion and brown hair, just really added to the whole experience of seeing her live.
A chick.
In a dress.
Playing guitar.
It was cool.
And I got to talk with her near the end of the entire showcase of bands.
She's great to talk with and fun - and she's got a full time job outside of music too.
And that leads me to a little discussion here:
Local bands/musicians
Where does your money go when you pay for the show?
- The bands/musicians get paid but usually there are things that come out of their payment:
- Food
- Drinks (so if a musician asks you to buy him/her a beer or one for the band, this is why)
To get the gig that you're paying for, they've typically:
- Driven to countless open mic nights and driven all over creation to play and introduce themselves to other bands
- Paid for their gear - out of their own pockets (That's Guitars, Strings, Amplifiers, cables, mic's
- If they have a CD, they've paid for that cost all up front and, their handing out free CDs to people at radio stations, people in the industry, etc... so they can be heard (hopefully)
- Taken a job they use as a means to an end.
- May not have health benefits - and we all know how much a doctor's visit is.
That's right - the musician's hope is to be seen/heard and become successful.
JUST LIKE WE DO IN THE PROFESSIONAL WORK FORCE FOLKS.
We have jobs where we want to be seen and heard and move up the ladder and get raises, etc...
But, the musician is taking it on the chin for the love of their craft.
Think about it.
The person scanning your food at the grocery store. The person taking some babysitting gigs. The person you see with their guitar case open in the street somewhere. And, in some places, they PAY for the use of that spot and have to hope that they recoup that money by 'busking.'
And, in other cases, the musician is sitting across from you in a meeting discussing strategy for the company to get $1 Billion in Sales Revenues.
You really never know.
So, I'm rambling here, but, to wrap all of this up:
1. Thanks Celeste and Audrey for the CD for our show
2. Chris from Leaving TX - thanks for the CDs - we'll get your music on the show for sure. Please note this photo is taken from their website at www.leavingtx.com
And, if anyone reads this.
Please support your local musician.
If you want processed cheese-whiz music, just listen to your ho-hum radio station.
But, if you want something different.
Something that pushes the envelope.
A musician or band to get committed to....I ask that you seek out and support the musicians in your local music scene.
Ok - I think I said what I wanted to here, but if I didn't I'll come back.
Oh yeh - and don't do drugs. "just say no"
Monday, March 17, 2008
Perspective
I walked out from my radio show to this as I left the JC building last night from my radio show - a bit frustrated for my guests and me.
I expected things to go great - and they did - but, I couldnt get the lads from Braintoy on or Celeste Starchild.
And, then, I arrived upon this so i took a picture of it.
And then, I came home, pulled out my guitar and began playing along "what about everything" by Carbon Leaf.
You need to listen to this song.
If you don't own it, go to iTUNES and spend the 99 cents on it. It's more than worth it.
I am not in need.
John
I expected things to go great - and they did - but, I couldnt get the lads from Braintoy on or Celeste Starchild.
And, then, I arrived upon this so i took a picture of it.
And then, I came home, pulled out my guitar and began playing along "what about everything" by Carbon Leaf.
You need to listen to this song.
If you don't own it, go to iTUNES and spend the 99 cents on it. It's more than worth it.
I am not in need.
John
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Record Review - Rebecca Katz
Before you get started on this, you have to know that the request was to review the record - and, I went ahead and did just that. Reviewed the whole thing - hahahahahaha.
BUT, Rebecca was looking for something that was short and I dont know how good I am with that (i'm a big fan of quantity time you know)...but, here's my 2 sentence offer on her record and, I believe it to be true.
Rich with flawed and real characters, Rebecca Katz's first EP 'Spendin' on Today,' invites us all into her living room to sit in that oversized brown leather chair with a cup of warm tea and watch her stories unfold before your ears.
Let yourself be drawn into her music like you would a warm fire on a snowy winter's day.
And, if you want more than continue on down.
Thanks.
John
=============
So there I was.
Minding my own business - well, not really - I was working on the first radio show I'd done in about 18 years. Getting music ready, gathering information and, I received a friend request for the myspace page from a singer/songwriter named Rebecca Katz.
She put a quick note on the request about checking her music or that this was a great idea for a show.
And - well - I'm sentimental. She took an extra step, wrote some words so I went to her page thinking I was going to get the 'typical' singer/songwriter vocals and songs about chipmunks dancing on pizza which was to represent the scientists doing their work on global warming in Antarctica.
What's great about myspace is that you can try on a song like a jacket in a store and see if it suits you. And, if you like it, you can just keep the jacket on for a little while as you browse thru the rest of the store. Just to make sure you like it.
That’s how I felt with Rebecca's music on myspace.
I can tell you….she DOESN'T sound like other folk artists. And, to me - that's important because it's like Peanut Butter. Peanut Butter all tastes the same to me - unless it's this one brand. And, I'm not a Brand Name Dropper – yet - but, I've settled in on this one because it tastes great.
So, while I'm not saying that Rebecca Katz is that brand of peanut butter, I can say that she is unlike the rest of the peanut butters out there.
And, to be fair, someone doesn’t just join the ranks of my favorite peanut butter in 1 week.
Ok - enough parables and metaphors about peanut butter. Let's get down to the jam!....ommmm…..I meant to say music there.
Let's start with the last song of her record.
Home Again.
Acapella - is not my bag - most of the time. And, when this song first started I was transformed to the records - YES RECORDS - of my youth and the song Cotton fields Back Home - it may have been done by the New Christy Minstrels, but, it's not often that you get a song done acapella and, sadly, I kept anticipating music to come on to join Rebecca and it didn’t come. And, I wasn’t disappointed. I just wasn’t expecting it. Isn’t it funny how my pre-conceived notion of a song involves an instrument playing with the vocals?
I need to remind myself that our voices are an instrument too.
This song is a little gem and not what I expected to hear. I love hearing something I wasn’t expecting to hear.
Kinda like when I go home to my parents' house and I smell fudge brownies from the kitchen.
I'm home again and my life as an adult kinda just morphs back to being their son and they my mommy and daddy.
Kiss Me Good Night
So, I’m writing about this record and, am caught a little flat-footed on this song.
The first things that catch me with a song are the music and the tone and sound of Rebecca’s voice. And, I can’t always keep up with the words and the possible meanings behind the words.
Rebecca knows what these words mean. And, she may not share what they mean – and, as she says – ‘it’s an artist’s prerogative.’ - J
This song is interesting because her request of her man is to kiss her good night, but he doesn’t have to do anything else.
Sadly, when we love someone in a way that we put minimal expectations on them or none, chances are, there has been some activity where the other half – in this case for our song – “the guy” has been exhibiting a behavior of womanizing or plain non-commitment.
And, our poor singer is saying, “Ok. You don’t have to do anything for me except kiss me good night.”
And we know that he can’t do that.
And we also know that she needs more than that kiss good night – she’s just looking for that door to his heart to be open so she can come in and lean like he’s done with her heart.
To Donnie
Now - I think the normal person would not bring up another musician when commenting about their album, but, I'm not someone who can stick with formulas and rules.
I heard this song, and I IMMEDIATELY was brought to - in my mind - the singer songwriter Sabrina Dinan - from Ireland - and her song that's at http://www.blogger.com/www.fabchannel.com/sabrina_dinan - you need to check out Timebomb. These are 2 totally different singers with different voices, I just wanted you to know where I was brought upon hearing the opening of the song.
Ok, back to Donnie.
Funny hearing the song - that as soon as he removed his hat everyone noticed him. Hidden. Kind of like the hidden love RK wrote about in Kiss Me Goodnight.
I'm not sure who got the whole first verse last verse thing started - and I've heard it on a number of Vertical Horizon songs….but the good news here is that while Rebecca brings us back to the image of our boy Donnie at the end of the song, it's a little different, a little more breath in her voice a little more longing. How awesome to have a verse-reprise that's different….has emotion…..in this case….longing for Donnie to come home, and, it's done in a way to make me a part of the group who miss Donnie too.
If you see the one
Anytime I hear a song that starts with the vocals right away with the up or downstroke of the guitar - personally, I prefer the upstroke because it's different - where was I - Oy VAY! I'm A.D.D. on my own writing and am still in the same sentence!!!!! Ok - haahahaha - When a song starts with the vocals right away it makes me think of one of the "Lethal Weapon" movies - I think it was # 3 where Mel Gibson is running right at the start of the movie.
I like that - it's like BAP! - here I am. (I believe ‘BAP’ came from the ‘60s TV show – Batman.)
And, in music, I guess I look for a song to do that somewhere after the first two songs. But hey - that's just me. Rebecca made this song her first song on her record. And, why not? (Rhetorical question ladies and gentlemen). Why not jump out and say - HEY - Here I am?
Her vocals are great and overshadow the guitar playing for sure - especially at the beginning of the song but those first words ring thru my head - If you see the one.
Poor Rebecca's character has so many longings for love in her songs…..I'm thinking we need her to do a cover of Love Hearts - ommm - I was going to fix that word there before publishing, but I believe in Freudian Slips so, it stays….Rebecca needs to do a cover of Love Hurts by Nazareth somewhere in her repertoire.
And, this song is her first song on the record, so intriguingly it points you in the direction of a set of songs about love-gone-bad….
Maybe this is the Conclusion song that ties it together - and, I'm no music psychologist….who wants to be….this is music and Rebecca has crafted a good song for us to listen to with a character and imagery to set up the next songs on her record.
I love it when she says
If you see the one
That I could Love
Just give him a push
In the wrong direction
But let's be honest, Rebecca's character in her songs doesn’t want her friends to introduce her to who they think is Mr. Right. Rebecca's character wants her Mr. Wrong to see the light and become Mr Right. Kinda like Superheroes who are mild mannered by day and Super heroes by night.
The Real Thing
The first thing I thought of when I saw the real thing was the song by Kenny Loggins (which I LOVE!!!!!).
I'm a big fan of building into a song and, while I recognize that the norm is to kinda play 8 measures before jumping into the words, I think if the music here on ‘the real thing’ were a little slower in the beginning and then built into the riff that would be the main one for the verses, it would impact the song a little bit more - but hey - I'm nit picking here on a good song….so I'm going to, as my friends say, "shut the 'f' up and tell you more about it - hahahahaha.
One set of lyrics in this song that just grabs at my own heart are:
Laying Down Warm at the end of it all
With you Leaned into my heart
Obviously I'm going to think this verse refers to the "after some great sex," our character has that 'warm-fuzzy' feeling.
And, "With You Leaned Into My Heart."
Wow.
What a strong statement of love.
The best feeling.
As if that love is an extension from her character's heart - the home of love for the singer/songwriter. Like an arm or leg to all of us…those are examples of extensions of ourselves, but that's one mighty powerful statement there.
I was actually brought back to my loves and remember the times when I truly felt like someone had leaned into my heart - and, to me, that's the best kind of love. The love you just know without speaking it.
A love that’s natural. A love that feels like home.
It's like sitting on a sofa, and you're both reading books, while your laps to your feet are under a blanket or quilt with a fire going and your feet are touching and every now and again you look up, your eyes missing eachother until that one time when they see eachother, you smile, you close your books, and you sit right next to eachother….safe in eachother's closeness.
Thank God you're the real thing.
A few times in here, you here a little unexpected 'clank' in the guitar playing and, whether done on purpose or not, immaterial because, the real thing is never perfect every day, every minute or every second. Listen to the songs Every Picture Tells A Story by Rod Stewart or I Saw Her Again Last Night by the Mama's And The Papas.
In Every Picture….there's a girl singing and there's a part in there where you hear her breath thinking she needed to go into the song right at that moment……..AND THENNNNNNN….then, all of a sudden, you hear her line "look how wrong you can be."
In I Saw Her…..there's John Phillips - I think - and he sings "I saw her uh…I saw her again last night and you know that I shouldn’t."
The ones that we love are not perfect, but the good ones are perfect for us.
And when we discuss soul-mates or whatever the flavor of the day word that soul-mates turns into, it's really that we're discussing that perfect love. That love that we can give to someone that is perfect for them and the love we receive in return that's perfect for us.
And, the good news…..love is a topic that can be sung about forever. Even if Twisted Sister sings "love is for suckers." The good news is that I've only been married to that song 2 times in my life. Twisted Sister sang at both of my weddings. They offer a two-fer package because divorce rates are so high, they just naturally expect you to split up and marry again. :) Ok - I'm funny - or maybe not with that one. This paragraph is just me adding humor here.
Ommmm….yeh ok…..Rebecca's Record.
Riiiiiiiiight!
The Story (the maid and the sailor)
What this song needs is a good cello or viola to help attack that bass line a little bit or even an acoustic Bass. Maybe we just need to import an Irishman or Irish Lass to join our girl Rebecca on this song to add a little - Irishness to it.
But aside from that, I kinda went into this song being a song in a musical or stage show. I don’t know why. Maybe the song title or the dut dut dut dut part of the guitar work.
Have you noticed that I have pre-conceived notions? Isn’t it great to have those preconceived notions call me out often!!!!! Good thing I can recognize it – haahhahaaa.
Ok, back to ‘the story’ - I picture 2 folks on stage and Rebecca sitting on the side telling a story with symbolism and imagery made real through the characters on the stage.
And the last line - But He Won't Be Coming Home. Is kind-of a recurring theme here in Rebecca's record.
The song makes me think of Brandy by Looking Glass or the relationships from the movie the perfect storm….or Hard Rain's Gonna Fall as sung by Edie Brickell (hold the new bohemians).
Closing Statement
I like repetition in songs - meaning - The ones I like, I'll listen to multiple times in a row, to hear the music, catch onto the words, catch the chord changes, the mood…..the direction…..etc…
I believe in quantity time not quality time. And, I believe that quality time is just a way for people who want to pretend that they don’t have much time for others justify that little time they spend with the ones they love. “But I gave you ‘quality time.’”
A first record by any good singer songwriter has a lot of soul and emotion and passion that the listeners can hear and feel - especially when they give a record good long listening to.
Rebecca has put her soul out there for you to hear, listen and be engaged.
She's opened her door for you to walk in, but she only wants you to walk in if you want to - so you need to take that step.
So, walk in
Make yourself at home
Hang up your coat
Grab some Hot Cocoa - the marshmallows are on the table if you want to add them
Sit by the fire
And Lean into her music like Donnie leaned into her heart
BUT, Rebecca was looking for something that was short and I dont know how good I am with that (i'm a big fan of quantity time you know)...but, here's my 2 sentence offer on her record and, I believe it to be true.
Rich with flawed and real characters, Rebecca Katz's first EP 'Spendin' on Today,' invites us all into her living room to sit in that oversized brown leather chair with a cup of warm tea and watch her stories unfold before your ears.
Let yourself be drawn into her music like you would a warm fire on a snowy winter's day.
And, if you want more than continue on down.
Thanks.
John
=============
So there I was.
Minding my own business - well, not really - I was working on the first radio show I'd done in about 18 years. Getting music ready, gathering information and, I received a friend request for the myspace page from a singer/songwriter named Rebecca Katz.
She put a quick note on the request about checking her music or that this was a great idea for a show.
And - well - I'm sentimental. She took an extra step, wrote some words so I went to her page thinking I was going to get the 'typical' singer/songwriter vocals and songs about chipmunks dancing on pizza which was to represent the scientists doing their work on global warming in Antarctica.
What's great about myspace is that you can try on a song like a jacket in a store and see if it suits you. And, if you like it, you can just keep the jacket on for a little while as you browse thru the rest of the store. Just to make sure you like it.
That’s how I felt with Rebecca's music on myspace.
I can tell you….she DOESN'T sound like other folk artists. And, to me - that's important because it's like Peanut Butter. Peanut Butter all tastes the same to me - unless it's this one brand. And, I'm not a Brand Name Dropper – yet - but, I've settled in on this one because it tastes great.
So, while I'm not saying that Rebecca Katz is that brand of peanut butter, I can say that she is unlike the rest of the peanut butters out there.
And, to be fair, someone doesn’t just join the ranks of my favorite peanut butter in 1 week.
Ok - enough parables and metaphors about peanut butter. Let's get down to the jam!....ommmm…..I meant to say music there.
Let's start with the last song of her record.
Home Again.
Acapella - is not my bag - most of the time. And, when this song first started I was transformed to the records - YES RECORDS - of my youth and the song Cotton fields Back Home - it may have been done by the New Christy Minstrels, but, it's not often that you get a song done acapella and, sadly, I kept anticipating music to come on to join Rebecca and it didn’t come. And, I wasn’t disappointed. I just wasn’t expecting it. Isn’t it funny how my pre-conceived notion of a song involves an instrument playing with the vocals?
I need to remind myself that our voices are an instrument too.
This song is a little gem and not what I expected to hear. I love hearing something I wasn’t expecting to hear.
Kinda like when I go home to my parents' house and I smell fudge brownies from the kitchen.
I'm home again and my life as an adult kinda just morphs back to being their son and they my mommy and daddy.
Kiss Me Good Night
So, I’m writing about this record and, am caught a little flat-footed on this song.
The first things that catch me with a song are the music and the tone and sound of Rebecca’s voice. And, I can’t always keep up with the words and the possible meanings behind the words.
Rebecca knows what these words mean. And, she may not share what they mean – and, as she says – ‘it’s an artist’s prerogative.’ - J
This song is interesting because her request of her man is to kiss her good night, but he doesn’t have to do anything else.
Sadly, when we love someone in a way that we put minimal expectations on them or none, chances are, there has been some activity where the other half – in this case for our song – “the guy” has been exhibiting a behavior of womanizing or plain non-commitment.
And, our poor singer is saying, “Ok. You don’t have to do anything for me except kiss me good night.”
And we know that he can’t do that.
And we also know that she needs more than that kiss good night – she’s just looking for that door to his heart to be open so she can come in and lean like he’s done with her heart.
To Donnie
Now - I think the normal person would not bring up another musician when commenting about their album, but, I'm not someone who can stick with formulas and rules.
I heard this song, and I IMMEDIATELY was brought to - in my mind - the singer songwriter Sabrina Dinan - from Ireland - and her song that's at http://www.blogger.com/www.fabchannel.com/sabrina_dinan - you need to check out Timebomb. These are 2 totally different singers with different voices, I just wanted you to know where I was brought upon hearing the opening of the song.
Ok, back to Donnie.
Funny hearing the song - that as soon as he removed his hat everyone noticed him. Hidden. Kind of like the hidden love RK wrote about in Kiss Me Goodnight.
I'm not sure who got the whole first verse last verse thing started - and I've heard it on a number of Vertical Horizon songs….but the good news here is that while Rebecca brings us back to the image of our boy Donnie at the end of the song, it's a little different, a little more breath in her voice a little more longing. How awesome to have a verse-reprise that's different….has emotion…..in this case….longing for Donnie to come home, and, it's done in a way to make me a part of the group who miss Donnie too.
If you see the one
Anytime I hear a song that starts with the vocals right away with the up or downstroke of the guitar - personally, I prefer the upstroke because it's different - where was I - Oy VAY! I'm A.D.D. on my own writing and am still in the same sentence!!!!! Ok - haahahaha - When a song starts with the vocals right away it makes me think of one of the "Lethal Weapon" movies - I think it was # 3 where Mel Gibson is running right at the start of the movie.
I like that - it's like BAP! - here I am. (I believe ‘BAP’ came from the ‘60s TV show – Batman.)
And, in music, I guess I look for a song to do that somewhere after the first two songs. But hey - that's just me. Rebecca made this song her first song on her record. And, why not? (Rhetorical question ladies and gentlemen). Why not jump out and say - HEY - Here I am?
Her vocals are great and overshadow the guitar playing for sure - especially at the beginning of the song but those first words ring thru my head - If you see the one.
Poor Rebecca's character has so many longings for love in her songs…..I'm thinking we need her to do a cover of Love Hearts - ommm - I was going to fix that word there before publishing, but I believe in Freudian Slips so, it stays….Rebecca needs to do a cover of Love Hurts by Nazareth somewhere in her repertoire.
And, this song is her first song on the record, so intriguingly it points you in the direction of a set of songs about love-gone-bad….
Maybe this is the Conclusion song that ties it together - and, I'm no music psychologist….who wants to be….this is music and Rebecca has crafted a good song for us to listen to with a character and imagery to set up the next songs on her record.
I love it when she says
If you see the one
That I could Love
Just give him a push
In the wrong direction
But let's be honest, Rebecca's character in her songs doesn’t want her friends to introduce her to who they think is Mr. Right. Rebecca's character wants her Mr. Wrong to see the light and become Mr Right. Kinda like Superheroes who are mild mannered by day and Super heroes by night.
The Real Thing
The first thing I thought of when I saw the real thing was the song by Kenny Loggins (which I LOVE!!!!!).
I'm a big fan of building into a song and, while I recognize that the norm is to kinda play 8 measures before jumping into the words, I think if the music here on ‘the real thing’ were a little slower in the beginning and then built into the riff that would be the main one for the verses, it would impact the song a little bit more - but hey - I'm nit picking here on a good song….so I'm going to, as my friends say, "shut the 'f' up and tell you more about it - hahahahaha.
One set of lyrics in this song that just grabs at my own heart are:
Laying Down Warm at the end of it all
With you Leaned into my heart
Obviously I'm going to think this verse refers to the "after some great sex," our character has that 'warm-fuzzy' feeling.
And, "With You Leaned Into My Heart."
Wow.
What a strong statement of love.
The best feeling.
As if that love is an extension from her character's heart - the home of love for the singer/songwriter. Like an arm or leg to all of us…those are examples of extensions of ourselves, but that's one mighty powerful statement there.
I was actually brought back to my loves and remember the times when I truly felt like someone had leaned into my heart - and, to me, that's the best kind of love. The love you just know without speaking it.
A love that’s natural. A love that feels like home.
It's like sitting on a sofa, and you're both reading books, while your laps to your feet are under a blanket or quilt with a fire going and your feet are touching and every now and again you look up, your eyes missing eachother until that one time when they see eachother, you smile, you close your books, and you sit right next to eachother….safe in eachother's closeness.
Thank God you're the real thing.
A few times in here, you here a little unexpected 'clank' in the guitar playing and, whether done on purpose or not, immaterial because, the real thing is never perfect every day, every minute or every second. Listen to the songs Every Picture Tells A Story by Rod Stewart or I Saw Her Again Last Night by the Mama's And The Papas.
In Every Picture….there's a girl singing and there's a part in there where you hear her breath thinking she needed to go into the song right at that moment……..AND THENNNNNNN….then, all of a sudden, you hear her line "look how wrong you can be."
In I Saw Her…..there's John Phillips - I think - and he sings "I saw her uh…I saw her again last night and you know that I shouldn’t."
The ones that we love are not perfect, but the good ones are perfect for us.
And when we discuss soul-mates or whatever the flavor of the day word that soul-mates turns into, it's really that we're discussing that perfect love. That love that we can give to someone that is perfect for them and the love we receive in return that's perfect for us.
And, the good news…..love is a topic that can be sung about forever. Even if Twisted Sister sings "love is for suckers." The good news is that I've only been married to that song 2 times in my life. Twisted Sister sang at both of my weddings. They offer a two-fer package because divorce rates are so high, they just naturally expect you to split up and marry again. :) Ok - I'm funny - or maybe not with that one. This paragraph is just me adding humor here.
Ommmm….yeh ok…..Rebecca's Record.
Riiiiiiiiight!
The Story (the maid and the sailor)
What this song needs is a good cello or viola to help attack that bass line a little bit or even an acoustic Bass. Maybe we just need to import an Irishman or Irish Lass to join our girl Rebecca on this song to add a little - Irishness to it.
But aside from that, I kinda went into this song being a song in a musical or stage show. I don’t know why. Maybe the song title or the dut dut dut dut part of the guitar work.
Have you noticed that I have pre-conceived notions? Isn’t it great to have those preconceived notions call me out often!!!!! Good thing I can recognize it – haahhahaaa.
Ok, back to ‘the story’ - I picture 2 folks on stage and Rebecca sitting on the side telling a story with symbolism and imagery made real through the characters on the stage.
And the last line - But He Won't Be Coming Home. Is kind-of a recurring theme here in Rebecca's record.
The song makes me think of Brandy by Looking Glass or the relationships from the movie the perfect storm….or Hard Rain's Gonna Fall as sung by Edie Brickell (hold the new bohemians).
Closing Statement
I like repetition in songs - meaning - The ones I like, I'll listen to multiple times in a row, to hear the music, catch onto the words, catch the chord changes, the mood…..the direction…..etc…
I believe in quantity time not quality time. And, I believe that quality time is just a way for people who want to pretend that they don’t have much time for others justify that little time they spend with the ones they love. “But I gave you ‘quality time.’”
A first record by any good singer songwriter has a lot of soul and emotion and passion that the listeners can hear and feel - especially when they give a record good long listening to.
Rebecca has put her soul out there for you to hear, listen and be engaged.
She's opened her door for you to walk in, but she only wants you to walk in if you want to - so you need to take that step.
So, walk in
Make yourself at home
Hang up your coat
Grab some Hot Cocoa - the marshmallows are on the table if you want to add them
Sit by the fire
And Lean into her music like Donnie leaned into her heart
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