A first record... it's something that's always seemed daunting to me. Is it supposed to say' everything, or just one thing?
How do you capture all the music that's influenced you, formed you, and helped to make you the very performing artist you are at this very moment? In a year, will you be that same person?
As most woman, I am so many different, contrasting things. As a musician, I'm a composer, a pianist, and a singer. What does that mean about the songs I choose, the way I say the words, and the harmonies that send my heart to singing?
It's always been difficult for me to pick a finite number of songs that would express to the listener all that I am or strive to be, because I'm drawn to so many different influences - many connecting threads have made me who I am.
When I sat down to think about what I wanted to say with this record, I went back to some of my early influences, and I thought particularly about Blossom Dearie and Irene Kral. These women are far from household names, but there was a simplicity about them, a complete honesty that was inspirational for this project and for me as an artist. Songs like "Blackberry Winter," and "What'll I Do?" reflect an aesthetic typical to songs I've been singing my whole life - just me at the piano, with no one listening.
"Haunted Heart" is a newer song for me. When learning it, I realized to my great joy that because of the syncopated melody, you could actually hear the beating of the heart. It's one of those moments when melody, harmony, and rhythm come together to create something greater then their sums. This was inspirational to me, and I chose to give it a slightly more modern arrangement - giving the drums the "heartbeat."
When I found Tom Waits' song "Old Boyfriends," I was immediately drawn to its masterful lyric. It spoke to me as a modern, feminine torch song.
I'm so grateful for the musicians on this record who are also some of my dearest friends. One thinks of the recording process as something cold and stark - removed from the people in the audience that always seem to make the music "spin," but in this case, I discovered only warmth and laughter. A band, not session players.
If it weren't for John Pizzarelli, the album would've been all ballads. as my musical turn-ons lean toward drama. John's musicianship and swing gave me something that I can now see was clearly missing from my musical vernacular - a sense of humor! A lightness.
After all, this is supposed to be fun. I'm so fortunate in my life to have met so many incredible people and musicians who have supported me on my journey as an artist. A journey that, they always need to remind me, is only now just beginning. Thank you for listening to this moment in my life. |
