So, something a little different this week - a little vlog about my current musical project. Hope you find it interesting and please do let me know what you think x
He Drives Me Crazy - My brand new video!
My brand new video is out now! It's for my cover of The Fine Young Cannibals classic She Drives Me Crazy. Come have a look...We wanted to keep the whole theme very 80's - not just musically but with the fashion and video style as well - I hope you like it, please do let me know what you think!
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An exciting musical announcement...
I'm very excited to announce that I have a brand new musical project on the way!
I've been recording an album of covers of songs ranging from 1978-88 with a wonderful band of exceptionally talented musicians. I can't wait to share it with you.
Check out my vlog for more info...
When musical tastes differ…
Lately, I’ve been thinking about differing tastes in music. On the face of it, this isn’t a contentious subject. Music is very personal and subjective.
But I have come up against two areas of resistance that have me wonder…are some us a little tunnel-visioned when it comes to musical likes and dislikes?
I like to think I am pretty open minded, certainly when is comes to most music. To me, music is classical, jazz, rap, pop, rock, and opera, to name a few.
I guess part of it may be we often immerse ourselves in one sort of music early on or maybe the bands associated with a formative decade in our lives and we stick with that, because that’s what we know.
But I find it really confusing when someone says they don’t like a particular kind of music without really listening to it. After all you don’t really know if you like something unless you try it …So back to the areas of resistance I have experienced recently. I don’t really like to make sweeping generalizations but a number of friends who are mothers HATE rap.The capitals here are warranted - they literally won’t listen to it and if I talk about it they won’t tolerate the conversation! It’s the funniest thing!
I wonder if it’s the image associated with rap, rather than the actual music, or maybe it’s a bit of both? I love rap and am transfixed when I hear a great rapper, wishing secretly that I could do it… although I’ve never tried, so maybe…anyway, certain “mother” mates won’t be swayed.
The other people resistant to listening to different music are perhaps predictably my kids.
Last week, I unusually had both my kids in the car; I think we were all off to the dentist or something. Anyway, we drove off and I switched on my music.
Before we were ten seconds into the intro I was bombarded with a chorus of “No way! We’re not listening to that! Your music is rubbish!”
Firstly, let me reassure you that my playlists are not rubbish (!) and maybe using my kids as an example is not great here, because in my experience children go from loving every song you play them to dismissing everything you listen to.
Anyway let’s keep going with the example.
When pushed they couldn’t tell me why they didn’t like what was playing, so after a bit of “to-ing” and “fro-ing” I decided to give in and turned the radio on - and well, I can’t bring myself to say the name of the “band” that came on.
But let’s just say if I hadn’t such given a long impassioned speech about being broad minded about different musical styles, the radio would have been turned off before this particular girl band started “singing”.
Now, you may be thinking, “Aha!’ I do exactly what I am accusing others of doing. My get out clause here is I have heard quite a lot of …“manufactured pop” and my point is that some people don’t give certain genres a try at all.
Personally, I feel it is far too easy to listen to the music we already like, without exploring and giving other untapped genres a chance …there is a lot of good music out there. So, what about you? Are you adventurous with your music or do you stick to what you know? PS: And as far as my kids are concerned, if they could just get over listening to the same things as their mother, they might actually like some of things on my playlists…
The importance of really listening
Last week I was wondering where I would go with my next music type post, as I always have a few ideas bubbling away, but a few things over the week have made it really obvious. So here we go - listening...
On the weekend I read a post by friend and guitarist, James Stelling. James has a blog, with a mate of his, called “Are You Guitared?” (http://areyouguitarded.com). Well worth a look if you play guitar and are interested in tips and useful info.Anyway, their latest post inspired me: (http://areyouguitarded.com/guitar/how-to-use-a-teacher/). It outlines how best to use your (guitar) teacher as a resource and make the most of your lessons - but the bit that made me sit up and pay attention was the section about active listening.
This really struck a chord with me, as earlier this week I met up with a mate to discuss a new project.
My listening varies a lot depending on what I am working on. And as James mentions in his post, I’m not talking about listening to music in the background, I mean giving what you are listening to your undivided attention.
Whenever I am working on a project I try to soak up as much as I can to help me on those particular songs that make up a set list or album or whatever.
Songs that will compliment what I am trying to achieve, and songs that are so juxtaposed to what I want to do. I try to cover as much material as possible – old/new/differing styles.
The other thing that occurred to me when I read James’ blog is that I when I do listen actively, I mainly listen as a singer. I do listen to grooves, bass lines, chord progressions but that is secondary to vocal delivery and intent. And whilst that is maybe obvious, it was an important note to myself - not to listen as a singer but as an instrumentalist.
In many instances over the years, I have played songs to musicians I am working with and ask them what they think. 98% of the time they will say they weren’t listening to the melody or the lyrics. I learned early on that this was not an insult to the singer on the track, just an indication of how they listen.
The interesting thing about the potential project I mentioned – the one I am being suitably vague about because it is in its embryonic phase - is that we are coming from completely different areas of expertise and experience. We want to create something that neither would think of doing as a solo artist.
So, having brainstormed like crazy for an afternoon we are now starting to bombard each other with as many musical references as possible to lead to a potential sound. Totally unstructured and unscripted but really exciting, and it has been a very long time since I have discovered so many new artists in such a short space of time.
Of course, I have to remind myself that I am not just listening for enjoyment’s sake, I am listening to pick out certain threads. But the joy of music is if I get lost in “just” listening, I can always hit rewind.
And what I am loving is there is so much great music out there to soak up that is new to me …so if you have any track or artist recommendations that you think I may not have heard but might like, please feel free to get in touch. Happy listening!
The best songs ever written are…
I think this a never-ending sentence. For every song we can be disparaging about, there are many more that are spectacular, in our own opinion.
I know I have done a few “top ten” posts over the last week but don’t worry there’s not another list coming because my list would be endless. Could you really limit yourself to your top ten or even top 100 best songs of all time?
Indulge me for a minute here. For me songs are kinda like a bottle of wine, in the sense that it is subjective. In the way a particular grape or vintage may not suit everyone’s tastes, music is the same…Not sure why I have wine on the brain, but my point is whilst they may be some songs that are unequivocally the “best” in many people’s view – the criteria on which I judge a song and deem it to be the best and your criteria may not be the same.
Of course there are killer melodies and arrangements, clever chord progressions, really simple chord progressions, beautiful lyrics and stunning vocal deliveries, but often we don’t dissect all that when we listen to a song. I tap into the rush of emotion that a song I love evokes; this is what the best songs create, in my opinion. But I suppose all these factors and more add up to a song standing the test of time and being regarded as amongst the best.
It probably won’t surprise you that when I Googled “best songs ever written” there are many, many lists covering different genres, decades, everything really.
Last year NME compiled their 500 greatest songs of all time (http://www.nme.com/photos/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-100-1/330996). A quick scan of this list and a few other listings on the net showed a few repeat entries – Michael Jackson’s, “Billie Jean”, Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit” and The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” to name a few. I’m certainly not going to quibble here, as I love all three songs.
According to NME, the list was compiled from their writers past and present, where each individual was asked to submit a list of their top 50 songs and all these lists were collated. I guess here we get the “expert” view and we can argue over whether we agree or not. I’m sure there are other lists are complied looking at record sales/chart positions.
There’s a Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest songs of all time” published in 2004, which lists its top ten as:
Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone
The Rolling Stones – I can’t get no satisfaction
John Lennon – Imagine
Marvin Gaye – What’s Going on
Aretha Franklin – Respect
The Beach Boys – Good Vibrations
Chuck Berry – Johnny B Goode
The Beatles – Hey Jude
Nirvana _ Smells like Teen Spirit
Ray Charles – What I’d say
I come back to subjectivity; to me there are just too many incredible songs that I would consider to be the best, for many different reasons.I almost succumbed to writing a list, but I am going to stop myself. Instead I’ll ask this - which songs would make it onto your “best songs ever written” list? And is “best” the same as “favourite”? How do you judge?
My top ten favourite male vocalists of all time
On Tuesday, I posted my top ten favourite female vocalists of all time.
All week, I have been thinking about this "male" list and interestingly it has been a much harder list to compile.
I think maybe because I listen to male and female singers in very different ways. I certainly wouldn't compare myself to anyone on my top ten female singers list but if they sing a song in a similar key to me, I do tap into their sound colours and vocal delivery in a way that I just wouldn't if I were listening to a male singer. If nothing else, for me as a singer it is a great learning tool to adapt and recreate sounds and textures that a female singer I revere uses. Often, I can't do this in the same way when listening to a male singer, unless they sing in a register similar to me.
I have also realised that I find it harder to separate out the performer from the voice when it comes to a male singer and I have no idea why. I had hoped that as I type it would come to me, but no.So here they are, in no particular order:
Tom Waits:
Johnny Cash:
Stevie Wonder:
Freddie Mercury:
Prince:
Michael Jackson:
Otis Redding:
Jeff Buckley:
Bruno Mars:
Adam Lambert:
Now this is a pretty formidable list. Amazing, gorgeous voices - with depth, range and richness. But I could pretty much do another list and on it would be: Leonard Cohen, Smokey Robinson, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Chet Baker, Billy Joel, Elvis Presley and Corey Taylor.
I do find this list thing very hard, maybe it is committing it to writing that I find difficult?! Anyway, maybe I'll do a "Part Two" sometime.
You were kind enough to share your thoughts on the female singers list, let me know if you agree with my choices or not. Who would be on your list?
What do you think if an artist you love records covers?
Covers can be a contentious subject. Is a cop out? Should an artist only perform original songs? Are you a lesser artist if you don’t write your own material? Can of worms, right here…A lot of artists or musicians can be quite disparaging of covers. But I think it all comes down to choice, and by that I mean the choice of repertoire.
This is something at the forefront of my mind right now, as I am currently working on my own covers project. It started out as an EP and is turning into an album and I have to say I am really enjoying the process.
I love the covers I have picked, obviously. They mean a lot to me, I never pick repertoire that I don’t connect with. I am hoping they are innovative enough to sound fresh and new, with a respectful nod to the artist or band and time in which they originally sit.
I learned very quickly in my Jazz gig days that the best songs I sang were the ones I connected with. There are so many beautiful songs out there, but if I didn’t relate to them lyrically or melodically, how could I sing them credibly to you, and make you believe me?
And I think that’s the point. Singing covers in my view is just another way of expressing yourself and presenting your creative vision. Covers to me are a bit like a performance of a play, the text can be read in a number of ways and if executed with thought and intention the result can be wonderful, and as valid as the original.
The cover that springs to mind here is Adele’s, “Make you feel my love”. Written and originally recorded by Bob Dylan, Adele has done a beautiful job of this song in my opinion and I feel made Bob Dylan much more accessible to a generation who is unfamiliar with his work, which is a great thing. One of my favourite covers is Tori Amos’ version of the Boomtown Rats’, “I don’t like Mondays”, well worth a listen, if you haven’t heard it.
What is interesting though is I feel there are some songs that can’t be “made your own” to use that dreadful X factor phrase. You can state them, as they are heart-stoppingly beautiful but they can’t be tampered with, or stray too far from the original concept. Joni Mitchell’s “Both sides now” and “17” by Janis Ian come to mind. But hey, if you know a really different version of either of these songs please let me know.
Personally I feel covers have their place; they are a great way of instantly connecting with an audience who doesn’t know you. I love hearing artists I admire sing covers and often get inspired with what they have done. So what do you think – yes or no to covers?
What was the most influential year for music according to you?
So, yesterday there was an interesting article on the BBC news website called “Pop music marked by three revolutions in 50 years” written by Rebecca Morelle. It got me thinking about whether I could remember a time, a year, in conjunction with a band or a song that changed everything for me, when music went from a mere pleasure to a total passion.
The article outlines a study, purely scientific, which was carried out by a team from Queen Mary University of London and Imperial College London, who looked at more than 17,000 songs from the US Billboard Hot 100, analysing the evolution of pop music from 1960 to 2010.The research found three years to be particularly significant. 1964 when there was an increased influx of British bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones into the industry introducing a new rockier sound, as the jazz and blues harmonies started to fade from contemporary music. 1983, when new technology led the way – electronic music was born with the aid of synthesisers, samplers and drum machines and lastly 1991, when rap and hip-hop became mainstream.1983 definitely resonates for me. But would I say it was the most influential year for music in my opinion? Well, it’s definitely up there. The 1980s were a really important time for my musical journey. I was immersed in classical music, but then a change of guitar teacher introduced me to jazz, soon after I started singing in a jazz band. At the same time, I began writing songs, met a new group of mates and started singing in a rock band.
And thinking about it, 1983 has in its hall of fame: "Billie Jean", "Every Breath You Take”, "Total Eclipse Of The Heart”, "Come On Eileen”, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)”, "Let's Dance”, "Africa”, and "Flashdance” – to name a few. It was also the year when Michael Jackson released possibly the most influential pop video of all time -Thriller. Ok, so it was a pretty big year…But for me, I need to go further back, when I was really young. I think the first album I ever owned was Parallel Lines by Blondie and that was 1978. My dad bought it for me on cassette and I played it non-stop, till the tape machine mangled the tape. To me, this album was so ahead of its’ time and I think it was from that point that my ears started listening in a different way, open to everything - all sounds and all genres.
So what about you? Can you say without doubt which year was the most influential for music, for you personally? Have there been multiple years that you feel are as important in your life with music? I’d love to know what you think.
What kind of music do you like?
I wonder if you are like me and get kinda tongue tied when you are asked this question. I think it is one of my least favourite questions -partly because I don’t like being put on the spot and partly, what a sad admission this is, I don’t really like being judged.
I know the judging here is superficial; it’s not a clash of moral principles or political ideals, though we can all get quite het up when vociferously defending our musical choices. I have to confess, and I’m sure I’m not the only one, chatting away to someone as they reel off artists they like and then internally wrinkling my nose at a name they say, thinking, “Really?!”
Music is such a huge part of my life as a singer but also as a listener and we all go through phases of listening to certain types of music - discovering new music, rediscovering old tracks, like long lost friends. So ask me on a certain day and I may say John Coltrane, later in the week it may be Stone Sour.
I love connecting with people over musical tastes and choices, but equally love it when you meet someone whose taste is vastly different from your own. It’s an opportunity to delve into a whole new world of creativity. Since working with Krossbow, my ears have been opened up to a whole new genre. Tipper and Culprate are definitely worth a listen, as are Krossbow!
I know that when I am working on a particular project I flip between immersing myself in similar vibes to enjoying music that is the polar opposite of what I am doing. When I write for my blog I like to listen to a lot of instrumental music, it bubbles away in my subconscious without the lyrical content taking hold.
I suppose I love music that is authentic, music with soul, guts, and true intention. Music that makes me happy, that makes me rise to my feet and dance like crazy, music that makes me fling my hair around so my neck hurts, songs that I can’t sing along to because the words are so emotive they make me cry, music that reaches into my gut and makes me feel desperate. Music that makes me feel. And of course, there is nothing like real, great, live music coursing through your veins.
The flip side I suppose is predictable. I hate manufactured music. Going through the motions music. And I can’t bear songs in which you can’t hear 80% of the lyrics. I know I sound old now…This is not an exhaustive list by any means but; I love Chet Baker, John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Tom Waits, Blondie, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Queen, Matt Bianco, Brand New Heavies, Johnny Cash, Eminem, Michael Jackson, Prince, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Aloe Blacc, Pink, Imagine Dragons, Passenger, Chopin, Beethoven, Stone Sour, White Stripes, Bruno Mars, Eva Cassidy and of course the artists featured on "I'm listening to.."…I could go on, but you might get bored, so I’ll stop. What about you? Who is on your list? What kind of music do you like?
Krossbow featuring Parry Ray – my latest collaboration
(Krossbow)
So yesterday was my first studio session with these guys – Jon (on the left) and Colin (on the right), otherwise known as Krossbow.
They are an electronic duo who met at university and have been writing, gigging and DJing together ever since. Last year they played at Glastonbury and BoomTown.
My musical journey has been an unconventional one, so in some respects this fits perfectly. A few years ago, I silently promised myself I would explore every musical opportunity that came my way; maybe I put something out there in the ether?
I was in the middle of my project with friend and guitarist Francesco Lo Castro and planning out my covers album that I am currently in the process of recording with producer Andy Wright, when I met Colin.
Colin’s day job is to teach musicians like me to use the software Logic, so I booked a few lessons. In the process of learning how to record my own stuff using scary software, the conversations turned to all things musical. And I think it struck both of us that the diversity in our musical knowledge, experience and delivery when blended together could produce something quite cool.
Anyway, after my lessons, we kept in touch, talking about work and possible collaborations. Whilst I was truly excited at the prospect – I couldn’t see the way forward, as I didn’t have a solid idea. Anyway in March, quite out of the blue, the Krossbow guys dropped me an email with an attachment - a dubstep tune with a jazzy feel.
So, the moment of truth, I clicked on the attachment and listened. Did I like it? Could I write anything for it? Could I sing on something like this? Oh yes! I emailed back straightaway to find out what kind of lyrics they wanted me to write and then started working on topline ideas.
So this is what I can tell you. For the first time of being in the studio together we settled into our groove very quickly. And it turned out to be an exhilarating, inspiring day. Of all the projects I am working on at the moment, on first listening this may the furthest away from Parry Ray as you know me, but make no mistake there is a lot of me in there.
Krossbow are currently working on their first full-length album covering multiple genres and styles. And I think, from what they have said, the development of each track has been very organic. They are making music they want to make and working with people they want to work with – pretty ideal I think. Check them out at https://soundcloud.com/krossbow
And if you are in need of a musical Parry Ray fix, check out the Highlights section on Parry Ray in Harmony with my YouTube vids.
Why lyrics are important to me
Years ago I was lucky enough to attend a songwriting workshop run by a respected, eminent songwriter from Nashville called Ralph Murphy. Among the many pearls of wisdom we were told that day, one really really resonated with me, he said
“When you hear a song, the music draws the listener in, but the lyrics keep them there.”
Lyrics written to a great melody and arrangement can create something very tangible that we all connect with. And though the feelings lyrics evoked may be different for different people; one phrase can unlock a tidal wave of emotion, in which you are caught for the duration of that song.
Don’t get me wrong I love instrumental music too. There is beauty in wordless compositions that make feelings rise up inside you. But to me, instrumental music takes you on a different journey one that is more visual, cinematic, perhaps?
As a singer, I view lyrics as my secret weapons. I can tell you things, invite you to connect with me. Through a song I can show you a piece of myself. I can be vulnerable or disarming because I choose to, or because the lyric of the song compels me to. Each time I sing for you, we go on a journey and sometimes the energy we exchange is truly magical. It’s literally like poetry in motion, or in music.
In my recent post, “So what does music mean to you?” I said
“One song has the power to undo all that work you have done on a broken heart. You can be a million miles away and remember someone or something from your past, and smile and feel like it has only just happened.”
There are songs I still can’t listen to because the emotions they reveal are still so raw, they remind me of something or someone I hoped I had forgotten.
I know several musicians who will be rolling their eyes. The number of times, instrumentalists, whom I love, will say rather flippantly that the lyrics aren’t really necessary to the song, or I sing them something and say, “Don’t you think that’s beautiful?” And they respond by saying they weren’t really listening to the words but the melody was lovely…not all instrumentalists of course, but definitely some…although I’m not going to name and shame here!
So what about you? Do you mindlessly sing along to songs, or are lyrics and the story they tell you important to you too? Do you have a favourite lyric, if so, please tell me, I’d love to know.
I am not a fan of "favourites" but here are some lyrics I love from an artist I revere:
Pink: Glitter in the air:
And it's only half past the point of no return
The tip of the iceberg
The sun before the burn
The thunder before the lightning
Breath before the phrase
Have you ever felt this way?
Have you ever hated yourself for staring at the phone?
You're whole life waiting on the ring to prove you're not alone
Have you ever been touched so gently you had to cry?
Have you ever invited a stranger to come inside?
My first real introduction to Flamenco music
I very rarely go out on Sundays. However, last Sunday I made an exception. A mate had tickets to Iberian Nights Eclectica: Flamenco Sounds featuring Rocio Márquez at the Globe Theatre on the South Bank, in London.
(Singer, Rocio Márquez)
To be honest, I was exhausted. It was my daughter’s birthday party the night before and I was fighting some kind of virus (which I am still fighting).However, to say I am delighted I went is a massive understatement. And as a singer/songwriter, I love experiencing music as a listener as well as a performer and one of my bugbears is, with general juggling of life, I don’t experience enough live music these days.
Anyway, back to the concert. I will keep this short, as my knowledge of Flamenco music is minimal. The concert was held in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, which is the Globe’s candlelit indoor theatre. It is absolutely stunning and an incredible setting in which to enjoy a performance.
(The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, the Globe’s candlelit indoor theatre)
Singer, Rocío Márquez, was accompanied by Miguel Ángel Cortés, who was stupendous on guitar and the rhythms were provided by the duo Los Mellis, two rather attractive twin brothers, who were also great.
I didn’t really know how I was going to interact with the music, not being a Flamenco aficionado. I know it is a form of Spanish folk music from southern Spain. It includes singing, guitar playing, sometimes baile (dance) and jaleo, which refers to the vocalizations and rhythmic sounds of palmas (handclapping) and pitos (finger snapping).
I was drawn in within seconds. And there really aren’t enough superlatives to describe the performance and the emotion that was communicated to me. It was passionate, tender, dramatic, intricate, precise and totally mesmerising. Also, bear in mind I speak about two phrases of Spanish, but my lack of understanding did not inhibit my enjoyment at all – and I guess that is the magic of great music.
I think this concert was a one off, but remember the names, because if they are performing near you, I urge you to get tickets.Oh one more thing. The performers and some audience members who knew, spontaneously shouted “Ole” at appropriate moments. I realised that this exclamation was a shout of approval and enthusiasm - and I may be adopting this in everyday life…Sadly, couldn’t find a clip of the whole ensemble. But here are Rocio Márquez Miguel Ángel Cortés and doing their thing.