march 21, 2006
it might as well be spring
Spring is here! Somewhat chilly at present here in the Northeast, but two Saturdays ago I was walking around Union Square in shirtsleeves, enjoying the sights, sounds, smells, and people-watching in the fresh market so much that I forgot what I took the train there to buy (Hair product…I’m in a world of frizzy hurt.). Ready, ready for spring, and missing the familiar clean rainy air smell back home. I hope that there are pleasant days where you are, as I will be winging westward to Washington in early April.
I. SAVE THE DATE: SATURDAY APRIL 8th
II. NYC MUSIC NEWS
III. THE CD
IV. SOUL FOOD
I. SAVE THE DATE: SATURDAY APRIL 8TH
There’s an afternoon house concert in the works in Seattle on Saturday, April 8th!! It’s a little last minute, but it will be more intimate that a club, and a casual, comfy, fun time to celebrate my first time back in a year to visit. Now, I just need to find the *house* for the house party! More details to come, but I’m thrilled that my NYC bass player, Tim Lefebvre, will be gigging at Jazz Alley that evening, and in town to join me for the early show. It will be a rare treat, and I definitely look forward to visiting with my old gang, my family, and especially my nieces home from spring break.
II. NYC MUSIC NEWS
The cold months were productive ones, spent writing and prepping for a series of shows that started up again in February. I am enjoying, most humbly, support from the best little venue in Manhattan: the Rockwood Music Hall. Proprietor, and sublimely conscientious soundman Ken Rockwood, has created an oasis of reverent listening space for the motley crew of singer/songwriters and bands that play there. I was lucky enough to meet Ken during the first couple of months the Rockwood was open, get a gig, and make enough of an impression that they keep booking me. The club is square-footage-poor, so he put the sound booth in an elevated loft, and operates sound and lights (yes, LIGHTS) from the top of an 8-foot ladder, his lanky legs dangling off the edge. If you’re ever in NYC stop in any time, 7 nights a week - there are often rotating sets of music starting at 6PM and going until the early morn. There is always something good going on there, with no cover - so a little love in the tip jar can go a long way.
Some amazing, accomplished players have been playing with me at the Rockwood:
* Thad DeBrock (guitar), who plays with oodles of people, including Lucy Woodward, the East Village Opera Company, and Blow Up Hollywood. He’s also featured on countless recordings.
* Tim Lefebvre (acoustic bass), who plays with Patti Austin, Chris Botti; subs in the Saturday Night Live band, and was the bandleader on the Caroline Rhea show. Tim also played on my pal Valerie Joyce’s CD when she was recording in NYC last year. Small world.
* Daniel Mintseris (piano), who went on tour with Marianne Faithfull last year. He is also a dear friend, one of the first people I ever met in NYC.
* Marc Copely (guitar), an artist in his own right, and an amazing songwriter and producer. More about Marc in a moment.
III. THE CD.
After about 2-1/2 years in the big city under the spell and tutelage of songwriters much better than me, there is finally a cohesive bunch of songs I am proud enough to record. The band and I are havin' fun working the songs out in our live shows.
Marc Copely is producing and helping with writing and arrangements as well as providing tasty guitar. My CD will definitely include at least one cover song by my very favorite songwriter and fellow New York doll Heather Eatman. Even before having his own killer record released on RCA in 2002, Marc earned a W.C. Handy nomination in his 2000 debut as a producer for James Montgomery's blues CD, "Bring It On Home". More recently, Marc produced Jess Klein’s acclaimed CD “Strawberry Lover” (earned 4 stars from Mojo magazine!) that came out on Ryko, and in 2006, Ms. Eatman’s swing-noir CD by her quartet, Doll Hospital. Much of this new music will make its Seattle debut on April 8th. Don’tcha wanna be there to check it out?? :)
IV. SOUL FOOD
Music: “New Moon Daughter,” Cassandra Wilson.
Reading: “Hemingway’s Hurricane”, by Phil Scott.
Thanks for reading...
Hope to see you way out west…drop me a line, let me know what the weather’s like!
Blessings,
Celia
