I have been thinking about putting some of my songs on this blogs. But then I listened to them again and had the feeling that I should do them over before showing them to someone. But then I don’t plan to work on my songs for the near future. Instead of having them gather dust on a shelf (or on the computer) I thought you might be interested in hearing something original by me. Even if it isn’t perfect.
The following is an improvisation that I recorded in 2002. That’s something that’s “finished” as far as an improvisation can be finished. My husband made his first CD at that time and asked me to do vocal improvisation which he wanted to use as “raw material” for a song. Unfortunately you can’t listen to the song he has made of it. It’s called “Elusive Breath” and only features parts of it.
When he asked me to record something I procrastinated so long about it that he threatened to finish the CD without a song based on my singing. Then he showed me how to work the recording equipment so I could do this all alone, and left the room.
I decided to do something I had learned from Rhiannon. She is doing this exercise in her workshops, and it’s called “three faces front”. Everybody is sitting in a semi-circle and three singers stand in it. They are not allowed to look at each other but they are facing the “audience”. One of them starts improvising and the other two are supposed to “follow” it, harmonize or do counterpoint. After a time someone else leads.
Of course I had to change it since I’m only one singer, not three. This is overdubbed. The voice that starts it was recorded first and the other two I sang afterwards. What you’re hearing here is very long, about 8 minutes. It isn’t cut or anything.
After I recorded it I forgot all about it. (this may have been recorded while I was pregnant, I’m not sure.) When I was in the hospital because our son was born my husband gave me a CD of this improvisation for Christmas. He had taken all the time to mix and master it. This gift was his sign that he wanted to support my music even when we just had had a child.
3 faces
[audio:3faces.mp3](I have to warn you, it is quite weird.)
Wow. I wouldn’t say weird.
Beautiful.
I want to listen again.
I want to run over to your house and see you. I am excited and energized.
Wow. I wouldn’t say weird.
Beautiful.
I want to listen again.
I want to run over to your house and see you. I am excited and energized.
I listened to all of it, and may listen again. You are right, it is weird, in a wonderfully beautiful way. Thank you for that.
I listened to all of it, and may listen again. You are right, it is weird, in a wonderfully beautiful way. Thank you for that.
It’s wonderful, actually. I just sent this along to Joe because he’s an improvising musician with a jazz background. He’d love it!
Back to listen again.
It’s wonderful, actually. I just sent this along to Joe because he’s an improvising musician with a jazz background. He’d love it!
Back to listen again.
Really exciting, absolutely brilliant!
Really exciting, absolutely brilliant!
Thank you, Susanne. What a find gift this is; your husband to you, and you to us.
Thank you, Susanne. What a find gift this is; your husband to you, and you to us.
I love this. I have just been sitting here, looking out my window and feeling transfixed. Incredible work!
I love this. I have just been sitting here, looking out my window and feeling transfixed. Incredible work!
I loved this. Absolutely loved this. Thank you for putting it out there. Very much appreciated.
I loved this. Absolutely loved this. Thank you for putting it out there. Very much appreciated.
this brought tears to my eyes. although everything is today. but still.
it’s amazing, and sultry, and exotic and i now have a crush on you.
this brought tears to my eyes. although everything is today. but still.
it’s amazing, and sultry, and exotic and i now have a crush on you.
Hi Suzanne, I’m visiting via meno/liv. Your composition is absolutely captivating. I can feel it in me.
Hi Suzanne, I’m visiting via meno/liv. Your composition is absolutely captivating. I can feel it in me.
I wouldn’t use the word “weird” at all. I liked it. 🙂
Peace,
~Chani
I wouldn’t use the word “weird” at all. I liked it. 🙂
Peace,
~Chani
I’m dying to hear this, but am afraid something will happen to me if I click on that (at work. In a government building, hello big brother).
How did you get that on there like that?
I’m dying to hear this, but am afraid something will happen to me if I click on that (at work. In a government building, hello big brother).
How did you get that on there like that?
Thank you all for your positive feedback. It’s much appreciated.
KC, to put something like this up you need space on a web server and a tutorial you can find at:
http://www.macloo.com/examples/audio_player/
The MP3-player is a wordpress plugin. You can find that through the tutorial as well.
Thank you all for your positive feedback. It’s much appreciated.
KC, to put something like this up you need space on a web server and a tutorial you can find at:
http://www.macloo.com/examples/audio_player/
The MP3-player is a wordpress plugin. You can find that through the tutorial as well.