“Do it again.” “What, you forgot the words?” “You sounded flat right there.” “You need to hear it again?”
I am back from recording again at Osceola Studios with the man who’s been dubbed the “career assassin”. That would be Dick Hodgin.
Today, I recorded Peel Me A Grape, As Time Goes By, and Cry Me A River. All sounds that I just adore. In the end, after recording each song three times, it all came out the way I wanted them to.
I truly am in awe at the way the masters mix the work. Dick picks the best of the 3 songs.. editing bits and pieces of each into one masterpiece– it’s going to get a little more magic sprinkled on it before it’s released.
It’s good on my end that we aren’t recording and mixing all the songs at once. I am getting a chance to think and reflect on what I brought to the session. Today I am left with a feeling that I held back.. that I didn’t go full out.. that I played it safe. Still, it was better than the first time out last week.
The game plan for NEXT time: To bring some more upbeat tracks to the studio.. and leave with no regrets.
This will be a challenge for me. At least that is what I’m thinking right now. I am not blown away by any of the more up tempo songs I’ve performed since I’ve been singing. It might mean learning some new material before I go back in.
Say, if you’re following this journey of mine, and can think of jazzy tunes that have a swing, I’m all ears!
Onward + Upward!
“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”
-Maya Angelou
A long time ago, my sister told me that if there’s a thing you really want to “be about” moving forward in a new year, then you should be sure to be in action– doing whatever that is, on the first day of the year. Guess you could call it a resolution. For me, it is much deeper than that.
I have never felt more alive about a passion or purpose than as a singer.
This year, like most years, all of my friends who entertain have gigs lined up for New Year’s Eve, and they are all lit up about what a great time they are going to have with all the folks partying in the new year.
I am actually working at my “real” job on New Year’s Eve. I will be at the anchor desk, reporting on how others are ringing in 2010, along with the associated mayhem that goes along with it when people lose their grips on reality.
But there is more. There is MORE!!!
I came up with a way to follow my sister’s advice!
You see, my good friend Bill Stonehouse will be the featured crooner at Sullivan’s Restaurant in Raleigh on December 31st. It’s located only five minutes from my job.
Know what I did? I asked Bill if I could swing by the restaurant and do a few songs while the stars are still out. I explained to him how much it means to me, to be able to begin this new year, singing and feeling that inner joy I always get when I perform. Generous as he is, Bill told me, of course I could.
I am so excited about this opportunity. My sister Teresa would be right proud!
My intention is to throw off the business clothes at 12:05am.. I will then slip into a black sequined gown and pretty stilettos, and sashay myself on over to the club. I’ll probably only be there an hour before things shut down. I don’t even care about that. Time is not important. Action is!
It’s gonna be a great night. I just know it!
And to everyone reading this, I hope the dreams and wishes of your heart come true too.