It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

A photo of me from a couple Christmasses back.  I'm afraid I don't have a photo of me from this Christmas yet.  

So, I've done a lot of talking about how I'm going to do this awesome 60s spy c.d. and everything and have been working (and working) on it in my own little studio since the beginning of January.  Only thing is, the dominant features of 60s spy music are features that I cannot do in my own little studio.  Even when working (and working).  So I'm going to heave a sigh and heave those songs I wrote up to the shelf to wait for when I can have a baritone electric guitarist, some horns, a percussionist and some strings to help me.  And start working on the following project which is my...

Holiday c.d.!  Yes!  I am aware that it is a wee bit early to be thinking on those terms but I'll strengthen my resolve, resolutely drink copious amounts of hot chocolate under a ceiling fan while getting into the spirit of the (faraway) season.

Thank you all for your patience as I skip to and fro between project ideas!

A Woman that No Man Can Resist

I had the uh-ma-zing opportunity over the last couple weeks to record with a group of Full Sail students for a project of theirs.  They got to choose an artist (me!), rerecord one of their songs, create a video and then a full press kit (bio, photos, etc.).  So, I was the lucky girl and had a completely fun time doing every step of it - especially recording on a grand piano (yum).  The song they chose to do was Kind of Woman and though I'll be posting up the new video and song soon, I thought I'd post up the original so you can compare and contrast.

This YouTube video was put together by the one and only vespersaw (the prolific Emma-fanvid-creator).

I Think I Can, I Think I Can...

I'm nearing the end of my newest album! Because of that I think I need to take a little break from my blog - or at least post a little less for the rest of March. I will definitely be back with new posts, stunning insight and sparkling wit soon!

I'll try and visit other blogs as much as possible but I'll be in full-commenting mode once April begins.

Please, wish me luck! And thank you for being such a marvelous support and encouragement!

P.S. If you feel so inclined, I would still appreciate any help you would be able to give to pay for the website and production of my album!

Sample of Upcoming Song!

Screenshot of a song I'm recording/mixing

Sooo, working hard on recording! I'm hoping to have the album mostly done in a couple weeksish. Really committing to a deadline as you can see. Therefore I didn't do a song sketch this week. Instead, here is a rough of an instrumental part from a song on the new album. What do you think?

Be sure to check back next Sunday for another song sketch and sometime this week for my first music information post. Music education post? Music enlightenment post? Music epiphany post? Well, whatever.

And I wanted to thank those who have generously donated to the creation of my album. I truly appreciate your support.

P.S. Feel free to follow me! I promise only ever to lead you to bright, sunny places!

I'm Recording!

So... no song sketch today. I will have one up next week though! I'm working on recording my next full-length album of originals so my song sketches may not be every week- every week-ish, more.

But, while you're here, be sure to enter my giveaway: a chance to get one of your happiest songs covered and posted by me!

And, I now have a link (in the upper right corner) where you can invest in my next album!

Any little bit helps and I'll be keeping it up for the next several months while I work on recording, production and publicity. I sincerely appreciate all your support, monetarily and by your faithful comments.

P.S. Feel free to follow me! I promise only ever to lead you to bright, sunny places!

If Bare Limbs You Like...

I recorded another cover, this one of another favorite songwriter, Cole Porter. I love so many of his songs, picking one was very difficult. I chose Anything Goes for three reasons:

1. One kind listener/reader in Chicago said she would like to hear my take on it. Maybe, because I chose her favorite song, she'll send me some of those fabulous Chicago chocolates...

2. I have a thing where I can't seem to write a song unless it is a love song. This song is a perfect example of a song that has really nothing to do with love and yet the final line of the song is romantic (ish). So perhaps Mr. Porter shared my weakness.

3. A friend informed me that this song is the opening sequence in the second Indiana Jones movie which kind of makes the song summery. In a blockbuster, popcorn, no school kind of way.

An Exclusive Song. Wow!

I've been playing around on my GarageBand software (while working industriously on pre-recording) and recorded this fun little song. I was in the mood for summer and it sounds a little summery, no?

Recording!

I'm working on pre-recording some songs for the next album... I've got a pretty sweeeet setup- a Blue Snowball USB microphone, my trusty Yamaha and my Apple.

Not to mention my lucky red mug filled with Bengal Spice herb tea.

Although I guess I just did mention it.