Emmylou Harris - Stumble Into Grace

I just finished a CD review and thought I would post it on my journal as well hand it in. I finished writing another song last night too. It's called 'Something to Betray'; despite the title it's a happy song. Honest. The only problem is wanting to add all these new tunes to my CD next month. Don't worry...I'll figure it all out...

Emmylou Harris
Stumble into Grace

I know it’s girly but I have to say that the CD jacket for ‘Stumble into Grace’ is beautiful. After seeing Emmylou perform last year I was amazed at her poise and elegance. Well, that vibrant dimension of her character shows through in every picture, every promo, and every video clip. She’s a stunner, there’s no two ways about it. That being said…how she looks has nothing to do with her voice, but lucky for us – it fits. My exposure to Emmylou began with ‘Red Dirt Girl’. You might be wondering what hole I lived in during the 1990’s when ‘Wrecking Ball’ soared over mainstream radio. Uhm, I was still listening to Madonna. Needless to say, I’ve been making up for lost time. A word of warning though: fans of ‘Red Dirt Girl’ might be a bit surprised by the bare bones sound and soft production woven through the music. Emmylou’s voice is clear as a bell and somewhat eerie at times. Her knack for poignant lyrics that romanticize the mundane hook the listener with the usual degree of force, but her newest release is quite different from her previous recordings. Recently, she appeared to be moving towards pop music, but ‘Stumble into Grace’ yanks her back to folk with a vengeance. ‘Stumble’ is a beautiful creation full of life and vivid imagery. Well worth the listen and delightfully full of surprises. (Killer track: number four - Time in Babylon)
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Linda Eder - so so

Saturday night, my mother and I went to see Linda Eder at the State Theatre. I first heard Eder's music in high school from a Broadway CD, Jeckel & Hyde. She had such a clear, powerful voice that I got hooked. So when I heard she was passing through Minneapolis this December, I thought it worth while to check her out LIVE. Well, yes, she is a gifted performer. Eder plays to the audience, sucking a song for all it's worth, but...I guess I'd skip her Christmas show. Anyone can sing 'Silent Night' or 'Here comes Santa Claus' but why would they want to? And who wants to hear that?

Orginally from Brianerd Minnesota (I didn't know that until Saturday - and spelling?) Linda Eder has connections and heart strings woven into the Twin Cities. As a result, a Minnesota choir joined her on stage this weekend and it was absolutely disasterous. This choir was from some western suburb and had the word 'gospel' in their name but they were uneven, tone deaf and literally wretched. What an awful way to ruin a beautiful concert. Eder's band was a perfect fit but the choir oozed into the crevice of any song they were allowed to sing. I couldn't get out of the theatre fast enough. The sad part about my post is that I'm not being very fair. Why should an amateur choir be held up to the same standards of a professional entertainer? They shouldn't...unless of course the audience forked up $50 per person for a ticket price. A local 'hobby' choir just shouldn't have been invited or allowed to perform with a Broadway/Recording artist. Not a good fit.

I am glad I went to see the show as I've wanted to hear Eder live for quite a while, but maybe I'll post some requests for a solo show on her message board...

Music

I got some pictures from the Barking Spider and Xhedos...I'll try and post them. Too bad many of you will not be able to feel the sensation from the shows. It was an indescribable tour. My mother and I are going to see Linda Eder this evening (She's the vocals from Jeckel and Hyde the musical) Stunning voice. I've always liked her singing. Fun Christmas event. Recording is looking great for next month. Woo Hoo!!!!

More later...

Songs

Can't talk...too busy writing...

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Spectacular blizzard in the Twin Cities yesterday. Driving was a slow go, but the view was worth it. Plus I turned on my heated matress pad and crawled into bed looking out at the pretty snow. I finally slept last night...like the dead. It's official - I can only last 5 days on four hours of sleep a night. Good to know huh? Christmas party tonight, but I will make time for my guitar. Songs are just swirling inside my head. It's a wonder I haven't started speaking in rhyme and verse. Odd.

I'm still listening to Kyle Vincent. Good thing he lives on the coast, otherwise I'd have to worry about a restraining order. By the way, I trust you're all amused instead of frightened. No worries, I'm as close to sane as is humanly possible....for me that is.

I'm off to work a fundraiser. Toodles.

Kyle, Kyle and more Kyle

I didn’t want to come back. Returning to Minneapolis was the hardest thing to do. Kyle Vincent, LIVE, is beyond description. Who would have thought it was possible to fall in love at first sight? Because I did…I fell in love with his songs, his voice. His music is love to me. If you check into my web journal you know that I caught a glimpse of Kyle in Boston at NEMO back in September and immediately ordered every CD he composed because my first impression of the performance was breathtaking…and I was right.

My heart is, as most of you know, already owned and operated by Mr. Manager, so there’s no room for anyone else. But the strange thing about music is that it opens up the spirit and makes your heart bigger. Do you believe in past lives or souls that keep meeting up over and over again regardless of time or circumstance? I have always believed, or better yet, known. There have been people who seem familiar before a handshake or even a hello. Kyle is one of those souls. He and I both joked about being long lost siblings. I even called my parents to double check if there was a secret love child, possibly missing for 20-some years. No such luck…I can still hope though.

Every night, hearing Kyle play, feeling him sing, I just radiated happiness. For 3 nights straight I didn’t get more than 4 hours of sleep per night because I was still high from the music. Kyle is a drug. All of you lucky bastards in Pittsburg get to see his show tonight. I hate you. I want to be with you. Monday was a vacation day so he rested while I drove back to Minnesota. Through rain and snow I constantly fought the urge to turn the car around and follow him to the next show. Opening for him was lovely, but hearing him play is religious. I played ‘Solitary Road’, his newest release about 7 times back to back to back on the drive home and I still want more.

If Kyle didn’t have a cat, a rabbit and a girlfriend, I’d kidnap him and keep him safe and sound in a spare bedroom, or I’d build him a studio and shower him with presents so that he would sing for me. Visitors could come and listen of course because it would be selfish and wrong to stifle his genius, but I want him closer, I want him here, I want his music to be mine. Go see his shows, go hear his voice and experience his music – you will be forever changed for the better.

Yes, I’m insane. What do you expect after having a spiritual ZEN moment?! An epiphany! I’m only human. Kyle’s the god. It sounds surreal…like propaganda…can it be true? Yes. Yes. Yes, it’s true and it gets better. His ‘people’ are tremendous workers – they define the meaning of support!

Carolyn – goddess of merchandise. Thank you for all of your help. Kyle is blessed to have you around. I wish I could have said good bye one more time.

Candy – lovely to meet you. Thanks for all your help and cooperation. I am now determined to visit Nebraska.

Carl – (does anyone else sense a theme?) I suspect you gave me a very, VERY generous music tip at the fabulous Case bar, the Barking Spider. You hot piece of yummy construction….don’t change and rock on with your music.

I need to rest. I need to write music. I need to listen to Kyle Vincent again….

Tour

Byebye. See you in Chicago, or Detroit or Cleveland - where ever. I can't take my puppy along with me this time because of the weather. *sigh* I'll be fine...I just haven't traveled without a companion for a while...thank goodness I got an MP3 player as an early Christmas gift to keep me company on the road. I have shopping to do in Chicago (just an excuse to spend money) and I have Christmas gifts to drop off at every tour stop. It's called multi-tasking. Gotta Love it. I bought tickets for me and my mother to see Linda Eder in Minneapolis when I return to the Twin Cities. Now my only problem is finding a tree and decorating the whole damn thing before I leave town. Possible? Probably not, but I'm still going to try.

Cheers.