may 09, 2005
My Mama Done Told Me...
Hello, and happy belated Mother's Day!
I hope everyone is enjoying their spring, and paying rightful tribute to their respective matriarch. Last night, at the gig I was on, the band was on its break, and we all sat around the table chatting. One guy said, “So what was everyone’s parents’ reaction when you told them you were going to make a living with music?” After hearing various anecdotes of humor and horror, my turn came. Alas, I had nothing entertaining to say, only that my dear ol’ mom always told my two brothers and me to choose our passion—as long we knew the consequences and requirements of our choice—and then, all she said to me was, “are you sure?” but then threw her support behind whatever it was we wanted to do. (Incidentally we all ended up happy freelancers.) All the guys in the band shook their heads and told me how lucky I had been to have a parent like that. So here is my shout out to you, Mom! You rock.
Well, it's been a while since the last newsletter, and so much has happened. Pedro is a Met. The Yanks are in last place! The trailers for the latest Star Wars episode are out! But most importantly, I want to get right down to telling y'all about my upcoming trip to Seattle and gig at St. Clouds! But first, some news:
- BURNING SPEAR
- SEATTLE SHOW(s) MAY 19th
- THE NYC NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
- NEW STUFF: WEBSITE, ARTISTS
- SOUL FOOD
I. BURNING SPEAR
A couple of weeks ago I got a message that my voice mail said was from “Mr. Music.” It turned out that velvet voice belonged to legendary reggae artist Burning Spear, who was looking for a backup singer for the next day's session. Now, when I say “legendary,” I am speaking of a man who has released at least one record a year since 1973 and won the Grammy in 2000 for best reggae album. So I of course said “Yes!” and ended up in a studio in Soho the next day, singing one of three female harmonies in the backup section on three songs for his upcoming record. I spent the afternoon fantasizing I was one of the I-Threes (Bob Marley's backup singing trio—like I said, it was a fantasy). The tracks were lively and, like the sunny islands, the songs were quintessentially reggae: upbeat, politically conscious, melodic, fun. And it was the first time I think that lunch at a session was cooked by the artist: a Jamaican meal of fried fish, vegetables, bread, and ginger beer! Everyone knew how to eat the fish but me... Look for the record sometime in late '05. Or, keep your eyes peeled on his web site: www.burningspear.net. Serious, mon.
II. SEATTLE SHOW(s), MAY 19th
I am very pleased to announce my first show(s) in Seattle in over a year and a half! Dawn Clement will be joining me on piano at St. Clouds, my old haunt in Madrona. They've got great food—check out their site at www.stclouds.com. Free show—no cover! So I hope you'll stop in for a glass of wine, or even dinner. A few new original songs will be making their west coast debut on this gig. There will be one set at 8:30 PM, and repeat the same set of songs at 10PM. See the gigs page for details.
III. THE NYC NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
Well, there was a grenade explosion outside the British Embassy this week, and I saw my first street fair in the neighborhood as well. And, Maktub made a stop here Friday night...so it's been less than quiet in town—no surprise. Adding to the excitement is the fact that my dear friend Hilary Gardner, vocalist extraordinaire and fellow Seattle expatriate, has relocated on to Manhattan island as of this week. This makes us neighbors!—again. We have written a tune together called P.T. Barnum which one of us will record soon (hopefully Hilary!) and make available to the public. For news on that stay tuned to my site, or hers: www.hilarygardner.com.
IV. NEW STUFF: WEB SITE, ARTISTS
Check out the new “red dress” pic on the home page, courtesy of Jennie Davis. This was taken last summer on the boardwalk at Coney Island.
Besides keeping busy with miscellaneous sessions, trying to delve deeper the commercial singing business, and singing song demos for other songwriters, I've been flying back and forth to/from the west coast with Tina Sugandh and her band of crazies lately, but there are a couple of new artists I'm beginning to work with in NYC who are very cool and deserve mention:
Maiysha Simpson: Mai was one of the artists I sang with last year at the Virgin Records Neo Soul United showcase. She is strikingly beautiful, sings with incredible emotion and sass, and is a bitingly witty songwriter. I am hoping her record is out soon because everyone needs to hear United States of Hysteria.... Her first gig is at Joe’s Pub on May 24th and I can't wait!
Heather Eatman: www.heathereatman.com. She is a devastating songwriter with an unforgettable, earthy voice who blew me away when she asked me to sing with her. I loooooove her songs and am amazed I get to stand on stage with her and sing them too.
V. SOUL FOOD
1 - The Crepe Cafe and Wine Bar. Now, this is on the “soul food” list not just because of the yummy crepes, because my dear friend and former producer Jon Plum’s wife, Alcena, quit her office job of 9 years to buy this joint and go into business for herself, which is a decision I heartily applaud. Go visit her. I'll be hanging out there on my visit to Seattle for sure!
2 - The Miracle of Mindfulness, a book by Thich Nhat Hanh. My joke about this book about meditation is that I am trying to read it but I keep getting distracted.
In closing, in addition to my show next week, please don't miss Jess Klein (with Marc Copely) at the Crocodile Cafe on Saturday, May 21st. It's going to be so cool that I'm taking my Mum. Y'know, as a belated Mother's Day present.
Hope to see y'all soon!
Blessings,
Celia
