by Modern Songbook Records | Apr 6, 2012 | Charlie's Blog, Events, Home Page, News
Yesterday I had a Skype session with the Clemson University orchestra, courtesy of Dr. Andrew Levin. They are playing “The Blue Chevrolet”
What totally surprising questions! One question that a cellist asked: “What are your thoughts on translating memory into music?” He was not referring to songwriting or anything with lyrical content, He was talking about the completely abstract orchestral piece that they are playing. A far more difficult question. Yes, “The Blue Chevrolet” is unabashedly autobiographical. But I have never been so confronted by the clear evidence of this process, and my nearly complete lack of understanding of how I do this. There is probably a very good doctoral thesis in just that one question. Maybe abstract painters have a better handle on this? I wish I could have come up with a slick answer to this. As it is, I will be thinking about this for the next three years. I will get back to you on this.
I wish I could be there to hear the performance. Good luck to the orchestra and thank you again to Maestro Levin for playing this.
by Modern Songbook Records | Apr 5, 2012 | Charlie's Blog, News
I listened to the entire Back to Black CD yesterday. It really hit me all over again that we lost an amazing, singular voice in Amy Winehouse. But whoa! what a totally weird production on that record. And an incredibly strange mix. I realize that the in choosing to work with the Dap Kings and going for a vintage “Dusty in Memphis” sound she was making a bold retro statement. I guess what made me sad was the obvious fact that we will never get to hear her really get to the bottom of the sound she was looking for. The next CD would have been spectacular. RIP Amy.
by Modern Songbook Records | Apr 4, 2012 | Charlie's Blog, News, Past Shows
What I do in my spare time.
Cabaret Scenes Review – Gia MoraGia Mora constantly surprises with her many talents. The realization that she is a gifted singer is obvious from any song in the show, but she is also, by turns, a lyricist, a dancer, a comedienne, an actress and somewhat of an expert on theoretical physics.
by Modern Songbook Records | Apr 3, 2012 | Charlie's Blog, News
I was just talking with the estimable Peter Fox and he reminded me of a producer comment. We were both in the room and can verify that we both heard the very same thing.
Peter was at the console recording a score I had written – this was in his home studio. We were listening to a playback. Two producers were hovering over us shouting meaningless directives. And at some pivotal point, one of the producers said ” Can’t you make it more edgy? You know, just add some more sharps and flats.” All I can remember of Peter is his face as tears came out of his eyes; he was shaking he was laughing so hard and biting his fist so he wouldn’t laugh out loud. I can’t remember one other thing about the session: not the music. that the name of the film. Not the producers names ( thankfully, because I would have used them here). Nothing but that line.
by Modern Songbook Records | Apr 1, 2012 | Charlie's Blog, News
Got to play Gia Mora’s show in LA last week. She is an amazing talent. this was a cabaret show at the famous M Bar.
She has ice water in her veins. In the middle of a Joe Jackson song called Fools in Love… she found a place to include a tap dance break!
Mark my words: This girl will be a known national talent within three years.
by Modern Songbook Records | Mar 27, 2012 | Charlie's Blog, News
On Wednesday I am heading out to Los Angeles to play a few gigs with Gia Mora. She is an amazing talent. We will be doing her cabaret show.
We go back a few years. She was my Cleopatra in New York for my musical: The Last Days of Cleopatra. ( the story of Liz and Dick on the set of Cleopatra in Rome)
She now lives in LA and I can’t wait to play with her again. One of our gigs is at the M Bar in Hollywood. I used to live in Hollywood. I haven’t been to the M Bar, but the address sounds pretty hip.
Just south of Hollywood on Vine.
Before I go though, I have promised to speak at CAREER DAY at North Chevy Chase Elementary School. They want me to talk about being a professional composer. I have been wracking my brain trying to think of something , anything attractive about what I do for a living. I will be speaking to 4th and 5th graders. They are all more technically savvy than I am – so thrilling them with a DVD is not on the table. They can probably all get sounds out of garage band better than I can. I doubt they will be interested in my mad skilz at jazz piano. Yikes. I have one little Quicktime video section to show them and then I will have to fill the next 20 minutes with…. what? I get along with kids and I love to talk. So how bad can it be? I will let you know.
Mostly I thought this was a perfect slice of my life: One minute doing a very glamorous thing and the next applying the same skills to the most quotidian of tasks. I am always surprised though, at which of the events turns out to be more meaningful. ( I am wondering right now..which is glam and which one is the quotidian task? )
