Le Ministre - I read the notes and bio this morning and picked up that you started guitar well before you started singing in a formal way. Fascinating.
While I was listening last night, my kids in the other room said “Dad - you’re listening to opera?” It’s true, I don’t have opera/operatic singing on my normal rotation.
I think that is part of the input back to you - because the music is not based on modern forms, it doesn’t have the same kind of groove - I would argue that “groove” for this genre is a completely different dimension vs. more rhythmically-grooved genres. You are inhabiting a character and emoting their thoughts with a lyrical musical accompaniment. It is a bit of an insight to realize how different that is vs. rock, blues, most jazz, etc.
So - I have been approaching listening with that in mind and find it beautiful. I hope I am expressing myself in a way that makes sense and is helpful. I love your singing, the guitar work, the lyrics as I follow them - all of it. For me, it is a nice exploration into a music form I have limited familiarity with.
“The groove is in the character”, to paraphrase horrifically. I’m going to have to steal that; it’s a fantastic way to describe the difference between classical singing and jazz/rock/blues without getting into blah, blah.
Because, yeah, I think you nailed it. Traditionally, art song was all about the way in which the composer illuminated the poem. The job of the singer and the accompanist was to lift that off the page, and tell the story. All they had to use was the music, and their interpretation - no costumes, props, set, lighting effects.
And that’s pretty much what I’m after, and why I seek out the composers that I do. I want composers who take their inspiration from the poem. The only difference with me is that I’m playing and singing at the same time, hoping to get some sort of bard/troubadour/skald thing going…
Very cool - “the groove is in the character” sums it up nicely! (why is it on the Dope I spend paragraphs explaining my thinking and someone consistently comes along and summarizes it in about 10 words or less? I gotta work on that…)
It is fascinating to approach this music, stepping away from my normal definition of groove. Your voice sounds so good it gives a great way into the music. I need to find time to sit down and have the lyrics in hand - to get into the character, if you will…
Okay, I promise - one last zombie bump. I just wanted to pass on the news that Guitarias is now available on iTunes. Follow this link, if you’re interested.
I’ve sold 95 copies so far; the big catch is, I haven’t sold any to anyone who is one degree of separation or further away from me… I’m not complaining; it just means I have loyal friends.
I’m not complaining; it just means I have loyal friends.