Music and Lyrics

I think it is so interesting how easy it is to get fired up about a cause you believe someone else should be involved in, especially when the person continually complains about the effects of not doing the thing you know they should be. Like a friend who constantly complains of coughing and talks about quitting smoking but won’t actually do it. And it’s true, at some point we’re all the complainer and at some point we’re all the complainee. And really, we have such an incredible capacity to talk about our problems or ambitions or “somedays,” don’t we? Wouldn’t it be amazing if we all actually took each other’s advice and applied some of that expensive energy toward something constructive—like action?

Well just such a conversation happened to me not too long ago when our friend Kevin was staying with us. I can’t remember exactly how it started but I was talking about singing and how I’d always wanted to record an album and how I was going to . . . someday (There’s that word again. I’m beginning to think it’s not very friendly.) And I was very surprised at the passion and conviction I was met with when Kevin turned to me and began to expound on all the reasons why I should do it and his surprise and displeasure that I hadn’t done it already. And every petty excuse I gave as to why I hadn’t: but I don’t have a record deal, but I don’t have that kind of money, but what if no one likes it, was refuted so adamantly and expertly by this gentleman that I had absolutely no choice but to confer he was right.

So, though I have not set a release date or a recording date or much else that would indicate beginning this monster of a process, I can say I have returned with a renewed sense of vigor to my songwriting with the intention of making it into an actual album, without expectation of it reaching any measure of success upon its completion other than the fact that I will have done it and can answer to Kevin with a clear conscience.


With that in mind, I think it apropos for me to pay homage to two singer/ songwriters I personally find inspiring. The first artist of mention is Mr. John Mayer. We are true fans as Jacob and I own all of his albums and paid him highest tribute by using one of the songs from his Room for Squares albums for our wedding. His lyrics include such clever phrases as “must be a quarter life crisis,” (Why Georgia) and “Today I finally overcame trying to put the world inside a picture frame" (3x5).
Top pick on his latest album: “I’m gonna find another you”—great bluesy feel.

The second artist is Miss KT Tunstall. She plays all the instruments/creates all the sounds herself and is one determined☺ little lady. When I first heard of her on the Today show, they said she went to the producers and asked them just to let her show what she can do and that’s how the U.S. knows her now. I love the imagery her words evoke and the curious story she tells in “Black Horse and a Cherry Tree.” Top pick: “Stoppin the Love.” See for yourself, do I have good taste or what?