It got me thinking, if  I had to pick one person I would have to go with Bob Marley.  His universal appeal came from the fact that he spoke to the people. He sang and wrote songs with intent and purpose, to celebrate life, love and freedom.  His songs marked the struggle of the oppressed and gave strength to the weak, and it sounded so so sweet that people can help but listen. Check it out for yourself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlk9Sj4Ns2k

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www.myspace.com/treviolin

The fortunate thing is that I don’t think we need a whole heck of a lot of anything.  The way I see at this point, I am looking at putting a little keyboards here and there, some pedalsteel or mandolin, and most of all- some nice dualing trumpets.  Even if I don’t get anything else on these thing, I want those trumpets!  So we’re getting to the fun part soon….when I figure it all out folks, you’ll be the first to know.

Nevertheless, I think it really great to have such a seasoned professional working on this record.  Steve really has a good sense of letting me explore the vocal arrangements, but knows when we are belaboring a part, or if it is not necessary.  In fact, his perspective has allowed me to think of my vocals in a new light.  I tend to like lots of layering and harmonies through out the entirety of a song, but now I am starting to minimize the use of harmonies for maximum effectiveness.  I think it’s worthwhile, because it allows the story to be told without the congestion of too much else.  This is a new way of thinking for me, and one that I am happy to explore.

Check out their myspace if you please.

http://www.myspace.com/cameraobscuraband

Looks like Beth is still doing her thing and playing festivals in her homeland. Check out what she is up to and hear what she has been up to lately- I’m glad I did.

http://www.myspace.com/bethorton

Some of the lyrics that have done that for me are..

“I don’t understand about the weather outside -0r the harmony in a tune                    or why somebody lies. 

There’s solace a bit for submitting to the fitfully cryptically true 
What’s happened has happened -What’s coming is already on its way 
With a role for me to play I don’t understand -I’ll never understand 
But I’ll try to understand -There’s nothing else I can do.”

Fiona Apple

Red Red Red from Extrodrdinary Machine

http://www.fiona-apple.com

” I ain’t no perfect man – I try to do the best that I can- with what it is I have. My Umi says shine your light on the world. Shine your light for the world to see.My Umi says shine your light on the world. Shine your light for the world to see”

Mos Def

Umi Says from Black on Both Sides

http://www.myspace.com/mosdef

“You wanna be the one made over – be your own before and after-  and the super market beauty in the bottle queen who’ll one day grace the check out counter magazine front cover- though the fine print reads: the picture makes a promise the flesh lets it be broken.”

Tracy Chapman

Broken from Let it Rain

http://www.tracychapman.com/