NaNoWriMo Soundtrack

You may start out by wondering what NaNoWriMo is... well, it stands for National Novel Writing Month which happens in November, so it started today. Next you may wonder why I'm posting about writing a novel on a music blog. Well, actually I'm not writing a novel, I'm working on my screenplay but that explanation is over at Weirdgrrl's Words so I won't bother repeating it here. But I digress...

Whenever I write I use a soundtrack. Each scene has a song associated with it in my head, so that even when I'm not sitting at my computer or with pen and paper in hand... that song comes on and I'm living in the scene and working out how things should unfold. That way, when I do actually sit down to write, the words just pour out like liquid thoughts and form themselves into a finished scene. So here's part of the soundtrack that I'm using this year:

My soundtrack is 16 songs in total at the moment. If nothing else, I highly recommend listening to the Marilyn Manson version of "Working Class Hero"; it has a much greater impact than the current insipid Green Day version... at least IMHO.

And based on the majority of my song titles, I'll give you three guesses as to the theme of my story... and the first two don't count!

Canadian Idol Top 2

The last performance show of this season of Canadian Idol! It has been a strange and bumpy road this year. And it all comes down to Jaydee Bixby and Brian Melo.

Click here to read my comments on tonight's performances...

1. Jaydee Bixby

i) "Who Says You Can't Go Home" by Bon Jovi on Have A Nice Day (lyrics)

First of all, I'm thrilled that Bon Jovi said what I've been saying all season: "you need to find your own voice, your own style." Exactly! And I think he actually listened a little. Because he was neither as twangy nor as Elvis-y as usual. But he still wasn't connected to the song itself. Oh well, one thing at a time.

ii) "All I Ever Wanted," the new Canadian Idol song (lyrics)

Either Jaydee couldn't find the sweet spot for this song or he lacks the range it requires, because the verses were way too low for him and I think he needed to sing it in a higher key. But then could he have hit the notes that he needed to in the chorus? I'm not sure. I think Zach is right that Jaydee is cracking under the pressure. But I find it interesting that the pressure seems to be forcing his real voice to emerge, because the twangs and Elvis-isms were to a minimum in this song also.

iii) "It's Not Unusual" by Tom Jones on Colour Collection (lyrics)

Oh dear, we're back to imitation. Well, his fans who think that imitation is as good as the real thing and that schlock is quality will be happy, but I'm disappointed. I thought he'd shown some artistic growth with his previous songs even if they lacked some of his usual performance value, but I guess it wasn't growth… it was just nerves. Pity.

2. Brian Melo

i) "This Ain't a Love Song" by Bon Jovi on These Days (lyrics)

Brian's performance was passionate and believable. Not only does he have a great voice, he bares his heart for the world to see and that takes honesty and courage. And personally that's what I want from an Idol.


ii) "All I Ever Wanted," the new Canadian Idol song (lyrics)

Now THAT's a hit song. Brian owned the song, owned the stage… and if world stays in its proper orbit, he also owns the Canadian Idol title.

iii) "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen on The Essential Leonard Cohen, check out the Jeff Buckley version on Grace or the K.D. Lang version on Hymns of the 49th Parallel or the Jasmine Whenham version on 1:37 am (lyrics)

I'm always nervous when singers cover Hallelujah. It's one of the most beautiful songs ever written but few artists do it justice. Brian did it justice and then some. His version reminded me a bit of the Jeff Buckley version that made me fall in love with the song in the first place:

And Jake Gold really hit the nail on the head when he said that Brian has a humility and a grace that shines through whenever he sings. I am fully aware that the world is not fair, but I seem to be hoping the results of this show will be. Is it the triumph of hope over experience? I guess we'll find out tomorrow night.

To watch the rest of Brian's videos, head over to Idol Stalker.

Assume nothing… VOTE!

Canadian Idol Top 3

This week was judges' choice, people's choice and working with Sass Jordan.

1. Jaydee Bixby

a) Judges' Choice: "Break it to Them Gently" by Burton Cummings on Up Close and Alone (lyrics)

Those rare moments when Jaydee dropped the exaggerated twang finally showed me that Jaydee is capable with connecting with a song and finally showed me the potential that this kid has. But I still emphasize POTENTIAL. He's not there yet. And I firmly believe that winning this competition would stunt his growth as a performer rather than enhance it. The boy needs more time to become a man.

b) People's Choice: "Ring of Fire" sung by Johnny Cash on The Essential Johnny Cash (lyrics)

He was soooo not in the pocket for this song. And, unfortunately, my opinion of him just reverted to what it was before "Break it to Them Gently." He's just not ready for the big leagues.

2. Brian Melo

a) Judges' Choice: "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum on A Whiter Shade of Pale (lyrics)… also check out the Annie Lennox version on Medusa

I have to confess that I don't think this was Brian's best performance, but I still think he stepped up to the challenge of this challenging and iconic song. Which comes as no surprise to me because I think this man is up to any challenge put before him.

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b) People's Choice: "Lightning Crashes" by Live on Throwing Copper (lyrics)

This is definitely Brian's genre. He knows his voice, he knows his style, he knows who he really is and he knows how to perform. Win or lose, I wanna see this guy in concert!

3. Carly Rae Jepsen

a) Judges' Choice: "At Seventeen" by Janis Ian on Between the Lines (lyrics)

I know that some viewers out there are sick of hearing the word "vulnerable" when it comes to Carly Rae and think it's just an act that she puts on because it gets good comments from the judges. But I just don't understand that attitude at all. If Carly Rae weren't truly connected to the song, she wouldn't create the heart swelling, tear welling effect that she had on me tonight. Simple, truthful, beautiful. Win or lose, this woman is a star and I'll be buying her CDs.


b) People's Choice: "White Flag" by Dido on Life For Rent (lyrics)

Perfection.

Canadian Idol Top 4

1. Carly Rae Jepsen

[singing "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" written by Cole Porter for "Leave it to Me", sung by Ella Fitzgerald on Dearly Beloved, also sung by Sinead O'Connor on Am I Not Your Girl (lyrics)]

I wasn't worried about Carly Rae doing standards and I was right. But Zach was also right that it lacked the sizzle that we know this girl is capable of.

[singing "I Got it Bad and That Ain't Good" by Duke Ellington on Best of Duke Ellington (lyrics)]

I love the fact that she left herself vulnerable for this song… she actually brought tears to my eyes at the end. If that performance doesn't win over the Carly Rae doubters, then I don't know what will.


Ci5 Top4 Part4
Uploaded by igrecman
2. Jaydee Bixby

[singing "Fever" sung by Peggy Lee on Capitol Years (lyrics)]

I love the very carefully worded way that Paul Anka referred to Jaydee having a "concept of how to perform."

[singing "When You're Smiling" by Louis Armstrong on The Definitive Collection (lyrics)]

Hmm… I actually preferred Fever to this performance because this one was just plain cheesy.

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3. Brian Melo

[singing "Mack the Knife" written by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill for "The Threepenny Opera", sung by Bobby Darrin on The Very Best of Bobby Darin (lyrics)]

He started a little shaky but he found his groove and, even better, the attitude. (And I love that Zach said he was a Brecht fan! I was raised on Bertolt Brecht!)


Ci5 Top4 Part3
Uploaded by igrecman
[singing "Feeling Good" written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for "The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd", my favourite version is sung by Nina Simone on Gold Collection (lyrics)]

I have very high standards for this song because the Nina Simone version of it is one of my favourite songs ever (you can listen to below). But I think Brian did it justice. Good job.

4. Dwight D'eon

[singing "I Get a Kick out of You" written by Cole Porter for the musical "Anything Goes", sung by Frank Sinatra on Gold (lyrics)]

I think Dwight was even further out of his comfort zone than Jaydee, something I never thought I'd admit. But standards just aren't his thing.

[singing "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole on Definitive Gold or Natalie Cole & Nat King Cole on Unforgettable With Love (lyrics)]

I liked this one better than his first choice. I think he was just more relaxed for it and let himself enjoy it a bit more. But I think it's safe to say that this boy will never willingly record an album of standards!

A Twin Peaks Trance

I was on hold while calling a place of business when the dreaded muzak came on… but it wasn't muzak, it was actual music! And it was the theme from Twin Peaks, that fabulous 90's TV series by David Lynch. Do you remember that music? I loved it; it always gave me chills. The theme was composed by Angelo Badalamenti, who was once quoted as saying: "My world is a little bit dark. . . a little bit off-center. I think of it as tragically beautiful. That is how I would describe what I love best: tragically beautiful."

David Lynch then wrote lyrics to that theme (for the song "Falling" that you can listen to in the widget below) and to some other Badalamenti music and those songs were sung by Julee Cruise (who sang all of the songs used in Twin Peaks) and released on an album called Floating into the Night:

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I used to have that album but that was almost 20 years ago now, so I have no idea where it might be (it was on cassette anyway which I don't listen to anymore anyway). But I still have part of a review that was written about the Julee Cruise album way back then:

"The link between the songs is love — a kind of sick, obsessive love that's both chilling and beautiful, and pure Lynch in its graphic paranoia."
~ Kim Hughes, NOW Magazine, November 15-21, 1990.

Now I don't know about you, but I think that's a pretty damn cool review!

Canadian Idol Top 22: Grrls, week 2

Down to nine girls on Canadian Idol, now that Maud Coussa-Jandl and Christine Hanlon have left. Interestingly, none of the women chose to play instruments. Compared with three of the guys who played guitar. Curious. But on to my comments:

1. Martha Joy
[singing "To Where You Are" by Josh Groban, on Josh Groban (lyrics)]

Her voice is beautiful and her technique is excellent, but I see that she's an aspiring Celine or Whitney, which I'm not interested in. But maybe Jake is right, maybe if she were connected to the song emotionally I might feel different. But I'll need to see it (or hear it) to believe it.

2. Tara Oram
[singing "Safe in the Arms of Love" by Michelle Wright, on Greatest Hits (lyrics)]

I thought she had a few pitch problems this week but the judges didn't comment on that, so maybe it sounded different live. But it really doesn't matter because I just don't do country.

3. Naomi-Joy Blackhall
[singing "Here with Me" by Dido, on No Angel (lyrics)]

Much better song choice and performance than last week, but she's still not knocking it out of the park. Her tone, though, is beautiful and soft... like chocolate melting in your mouth. But I do look forward to seeing her edge.

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4. Carly Rae Jepsen
[singing "Sweet Ones" by Sarah Slean, on Night Bugs (lyrics)]

I love this grrl's taste in music! Unfortunately, if you're familiar with the original song, Carly Rae's performance doesn't even compare. But on it's own merits, I think she did pretty well with it. Here's the original so you can decide for yourself:

5. Scarlett Burke
[singing "Proud Mary" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, on Bayou Country (lyrics)]

I don't know what to say. This chick just doesn't do it for me. That last note indicates that she might have some singing chops, but she hasn't shown them yet. And wow, I don't think I've ever seen Zack just shake his head and not say anything. Is that her death knell?

6. Montana Martin Iles
[singing "Thnks Fr Th Mmrs" by Fall Out Boy, on Infinity on High (lyrics)]

Well, she didn't quite live up to last week for me. I think she was performing too much and the singing suffered. But she's definitely on the cutting edge of music. And I definitely can't wait to see what she's going to do next. (I had to laugh at Zack's "Lukas Rossi lookalike winner" comment... ouch! LOL)

7. Mila Miller
[singing "Try a Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding, on The Very Best of Otis Redding (lyrics)]

Mila really does hearken back to those jazz and blues divas of old. I love it. And she was feelin' it; I was feelin' it. Good show!

8. Annika Odegard
[singing "Super Duper Love" by Joss Stone, on The Soul Sessions (lyrics)]

Better than last week for me, and she's very likeable, but th-th-that's all folks.

9. Khalila G
[singing "I Can't Help Myself" by The Four Tops, on The Ultimate Collection (lyrics)]

Khalila is very talented but I thought she was shaky in her upper register tonight. And I have to agree with Zack that her song choice was "radically irrelevant." But I hope she sticks around to choose a more relevant song for next week.

So at this point, the girls that I would like to see in the Top 10 are: Naomi-Joy Blackhall, Carly Rae Jepsen, Montana Martin Iles, Mila Miller and Khalila G. As with the boys, I doubt I'll get them all, but I think I can at least count on getting Carly Rae and Montana. As for the rest, time will tell.

C'est Jeanette

Another indie singer/songwriter worth checking out: Jeanette Lee. Jeanette and I actually went to high school together, but I swear I'm not biased or anything... her music is really good. She's a classically trained musician who has turned her focus to the melodic pop rock sounds that you might expect from the likes of Sarah McLachlan. And her lyrics are intelligent and sophisticated... if you don't want to take my word for it, just ask American Songwriter Magazine who awarded one of her songs Honorable Mention in their recent Lyric Contest.

You can listen to Jeanette's music on her website or her MySpace site. Or—now this is the really cool part—you can listen to her acoustic show at C'est What streamed live over the net on Thursday, June 14 at 10:00 p.m. E.S.T. Just head over to WhatsNext.ca and click on their Live Radio Feed.

Look for her new CD "After a Dark Horse Year" to be released later this year. Or, if you can't wait, go grab a copy of her self-titled debut CD. You won't be sorry.

Ugly Side

Originally posted 1.25.2007 on Limes with Orange

I noticed that someone landed on my blog searching for the meaning of the Blue October song "Ugly Side." You can listen to sample from "Argue with a Tree", their live album — this is my favourite version — or stream the full version from "History for Sale" below.

Although on the one hand I think the general meaning is self-evident, I decided to write about it because the specific lyrics might seem a little odd to some people.

Ugly Side lyrics:

I must have sneezed
On knees I freeze
I mean I just choked up
Somehow I slept
I dream, I mean
I dreamt of nothing

Able to breathe
A sweet relief
Now that you're here with me
A northern degree
Dove into me
Now I'm recovering

[Chorus]
I only want you to see
My favorite part of me
And not my ugly side
Not my ugly side

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Hook up a C.B.
Wave a way
For conversation flow
I'm shoved in your cave,
to wage this rage
Don't let me go

A kick and a scream
is all that seems
To mean a lot thus far
I won't let you on
my stage, my page
You can't know
Yet you have to know

[Chorus]

So calm... and now it's dark
I look for you to light my heart
I'm in between the moon and where you are
I know... I can't be far

The most general interpretation is simply how hard it is to share your those parts of yourself that you don't like with someone that you actually want to share your whole self with. More specifically, I believe it relates to Justin Furstenfeld's history with drugs, his recovery and his ardent desire not to have to share that part of his past and himself with someone he's starting a new relationship with.

As for specific phrases that may or not make grammatical sense… I say don't analyze that stuff too deeply. It's poetry. It elicits an emotional reaction of confusion and melancholy and fear and love. In "Writing Down the Bones", Natalie Goldberg writes:

"The aim is to burn through to first thoughts... to the place where you are writing what your mind actually sees and feels, not what it thinks it should see and feel. It's a great opportunity to capture the oddities of your mind. Explore the rugged edge of thought."

I believe these lyrics are definitely the stuff of "first thoughts." Not to say that I don't have my ideas about what Justin means in certain phrases, but I'm more concerned with what he's feeling and how he makes me feel. So my advice is not to try to deconstruct the song, just feel it.