Rock and roll forever
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| Andy and me |
My friend Andy is a composer. Over the past year or so, he has
written a most amazing musical with his partner, Barry. In the past
four months of knowing Andy, I have been treated to a private performance
of the song of this musical, and when I heard the very first song
Andy played for me, I fell in love with it.
The song is called "Things I Never Said", and it is a song of regret
sung by a woman who, for the past thirty years or so, has not confessed
her love for the main character, a rock and roll superstar who is
also her best friend. She sings this song on the way over to his home,
where she intends to finally tell him all the things she never said
to him over the years. Turns out, he loves her too. Then, there is
a surprise ending!
This song has a melody that could melt the coldest of hearts, and
lyrics that are unbelievably touching. The first time I heard it,
I felt it deep in my bones and wanted to sing it so badly. Last week,
Andy asked me to sing on the demo.
Starting next month, Andy and Barry will begin the process of auditioning
actors and actresses for the various parts in the musical. They will
then record a demo of 10 of the songs with these actors, and submit
this demo, along with the libretto, to prospective producers and backers.
From this point they embark on the journey of getting their musical
from LA to Broadway.
Originally, Barry sang the lead on Things I Never Said, and I used
this as a guide track in order to learn the intricacies of the song.
I practiced for a couple of days, and then last Tuesday I went to
Andy's home studio and recorded the vocals. It is an extremely challenging
song range-wise, and I was very worried that I wouldn't be able to
do it. I could hit the notes, but I needed to hit them in a strong,
intense fashion, belting them out like one would do on Broadway. My
voice goes very high, but it tends to get softer and more ambient-sounding
the higher it goes. That, indeed, is what makes my voice unique, and
what I am most known for.
Andy was the consummate director. He had me sing it just enough to
get all of the parts we needed, but not too many times to blow out
my rather fragile voice. After a few hours of singing the song, we
had the tracks we needed. Then Andy sang the male part that comes
in halfway through and sings a response, and then harmony with me.
Because he knows the song so well (he wrote it!), he was able to perfectly
sing his part in a few takes. He has a wonderful voice, too! Then,
it was time to mix.
Mixing ended up taking almost as long as recording, and we went well
into the night. By 2am, we had gotten the track to the point where
we were both more than satisfied, and we laid it to tape. Andy burned
me a CD of the three mixes we did to take home and listen to in a
different environment. I must say, when I heard it the next morning,
I was very pleased. I turned it into an MP3 and sent it to Irene --
she loved it too. Someday soon (once I get permission from the writers,
of course!), I will post it on the web and you all can listen to the
finished product, too.
The next day, I went over to Bethany's apartment to meet her brand
new baby girl for the first time. I will tell you all about that next
week.
For now, be well!
Reporting from Los Angeles,
Cara Jones
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