I'm off to Europe for a couple of weeks. As soon as I get back, I'm getting in the studio with a vengeance! I just went to Oregon to help my parents move into their new home. Wow, what a roller coaster of emotions. I didn't know there were so many layers of happiness/sorrow/gratitude/worry/joy. The five of us siblings all together under one roof to do something monumental and loving for mom and dad, left us all closer, even if there was a tiff or two (frayed nerves will do that!)
What a precious family I have. I am so grateful!
I want to do a video of Victoria when I return, then I'll post it.
See you in a couple weeks!
Ciao! Au revoir! Tot ziens! (Clues as to the countries I'll be in!)
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Oh, I get it!
OH, SO THAT'S how you get a video on Blogspot! Share it via You tube! Okay, I've been doing it the hard way (very typical of me to do things the hardest way possible!)
I'll be able to post lots of videos now. Yay! This one is just my demo, I put it on this Blog for practice.
I'll be able to post lots of videos now. Yay! This one is just my demo, I put it on this Blog for practice.
Beatrice Ring, photographer extraordinaire!
How could I not mention my incredible photographer Beatrice? We had such a fun day together, doing shoots for the album cover. We started in a wildflower field in Carlsbad. I brought a few props as well; a photo album (since the CD is titled "Family Album,") a picnic basket (in the lyrics of "Victoria,") a map (in honor of my swashbuckling vagabond side) and a wine glass. That session of photos turned out very sweet, and exactly captured the mood I was hoping for.
Then we took a few pictures with my motorcycle (a beautiful metallic red Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD, for you riders out there.) The last thing I wanted was a bunch of "biker chick" pictures, and Beatrice captured the "Me" very well-- the girl that simply likes to get a little wind in my hair now and then, in a quiet way.
Then we went to the beach in Encinitas, and Beatrice used the low afternoon sunlight against the stairs and the golden sand cliffs for some really great lighting. My new Facebook picture is from the beach shoot. THANK YOU BEATRICE RING!! If anyone needs a great photographer, her website is:
www.rossiniproductions.com
Then we took a few pictures with my motorcycle (a beautiful metallic red Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD, for you riders out there.) The last thing I wanted was a bunch of "biker chick" pictures, and Beatrice captured the "Me" very well-- the girl that simply likes to get a little wind in my hair now and then, in a quiet way.
Then we went to the beach in Encinitas, and Beatrice used the low afternoon sunlight against the stairs and the golden sand cliffs for some really great lighting. My new Facebook picture is from the beach shoot. THANK YOU BEATRICE RING!! If anyone needs a great photographer, her website is:
www.rossiniproductions.com
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Happy Birthday, Dad!
This CD was first meant to be for my Dad's birthday, but I decided to call it "Family Album" at my husband Anthony's suggestion. It freed me to choose songs that were important to many people I love. Bobby McGee was always Mrs. Dawson's favorite. Mrs. D is my "second mom"-- her daughter Liz and I were joined at the hip by the tender age of 5! Mrs. D, with her Aussie accent, always told me to record Bobby McGee, and I never did-- until now. Guy Latham came to my studio and played "harpoon" (harmonica,) and it turned out great! I told him he forgot to bring his "Dirty red bandana" though.
Then Charlie came back from his Euro tour. He was only home for a few days and off he went for a USA tour. But he kindly came over in that small window of time, and sang beautiful vocals on "You Don't Bring me Flowers." THANKS CHARLIE!!!!!
I also recorded an Edith Piaf song that my husband always requests-- "Non, Je ne Regrette Rien." (I regret nothing). Amen. What a great message. It was fun to record, I got to do a powerhouse french song. I think I might add a tuba! I've NEVER recorded a tuba on any CD before, but it just needs a little bit of oom-pa-pa to push it right over the edge.
Then there's Walter (hi Walter!) from Albies where I work. He said, "Rose, you have to learn "Winter Light." I'd never heard it before. I instantly fell in love with the song and recorded it too. Walter's cool. He gives me dragon movies and wears a red knit hat.
I had never done a CD before where I was recording songs that I didn't write. So I simply HAD to do at least ONE original! So now I have to tell you a story:
My Dad is from Holland, and my mom is from England. They are both swashbuckling adventurers, and they both moved to Canada in their twenties. My mother was hired as a nurse at a hospital in Victoria, BC. My father was an intern, and the day he was hired at the same hospital, and laid eyes on my mother, he asked to drive her home. Six months later they were married, and they moved to Oregon.
This January, Anthony and I took my parents back to Victoria for a visit. To my surprise, my mom's old house had been restored to a "Heritage House" Bed and Breakfast. We couldn't resist taking a tour, and my dad smiled and said, "I remember knocking on this door to pick up a certain young lady for a day at the beach!"
That image stuck with me, so I wrote a song called "Victoria," a love song about my mom and dad's life together. My husband says its the best song on the CD, but he's biased I think!
Try as I might to get the CD done by my Dad's birthday, I was only able to record seven songs. So I simply burnt a CD, printed a CD cover and dedication, and sent it out to him. He was very happy! And now I have house guests, so I've been putting off the churney burneys and the CD to concentrate on helping my Brazilian step-daughter-in-law and her six year old Enzo, adapt to their new country! Welcome to America, Sarah and Enzo! Welcome back Andre!!
On a personal note: I leave for Oregon this Sunday, to help my parents move out of their home of 47 years, to a smaller home in a retirement community. All four of my siblings will be there with me this Mother's day, and we will say goodbye to our childhood home. I sang about this home in my song "Victoria." I am happy that my parents will not have to work so hard trying to keep up with such a big place, but my heart now has a hollow spot that will have to be filled with treasured memories.
Then Charlie came back from his Euro tour. He was only home for a few days and off he went for a USA tour. But he kindly came over in that small window of time, and sang beautiful vocals on "You Don't Bring me Flowers." THANKS CHARLIE!!!!!
I also recorded an Edith Piaf song that my husband always requests-- "Non, Je ne Regrette Rien." (I regret nothing). Amen. What a great message. It was fun to record, I got to do a powerhouse french song. I think I might add a tuba! I've NEVER recorded a tuba on any CD before, but it just needs a little bit of oom-pa-pa to push it right over the edge.
Then there's Walter (hi Walter!) from Albies where I work. He said, "Rose, you have to learn "Winter Light." I'd never heard it before. I instantly fell in love with the song and recorded it too. Walter's cool. He gives me dragon movies and wears a red knit hat.
I had never done a CD before where I was recording songs that I didn't write. So I simply HAD to do at least ONE original! So now I have to tell you a story:
My Dad is from Holland, and my mom is from England. They are both swashbuckling adventurers, and they both moved to Canada in their twenties. My mother was hired as a nurse at a hospital in Victoria, BC. My father was an intern, and the day he was hired at the same hospital, and laid eyes on my mother, he asked to drive her home. Six months later they were married, and they moved to Oregon.
This January, Anthony and I took my parents back to Victoria for a visit. To my surprise, my mom's old house had been restored to a "Heritage House" Bed and Breakfast. We couldn't resist taking a tour, and my dad smiled and said, "I remember knocking on this door to pick up a certain young lady for a day at the beach!"
That image stuck with me, so I wrote a song called "Victoria," a love song about my mom and dad's life together. My husband says its the best song on the CD, but he's biased I think!
Try as I might to get the CD done by my Dad's birthday, I was only able to record seven songs. So I simply burnt a CD, printed a CD cover and dedication, and sent it out to him. He was very happy! And now I have house guests, so I've been putting off the churney burneys and the CD to concentrate on helping my Brazilian step-daughter-in-law and her six year old Enzo, adapt to their new country! Welcome to America, Sarah and Enzo! Welcome back Andre!!
On a personal note: I leave for Oregon this Sunday, to help my parents move out of their home of 47 years, to a smaller home in a retirement community. All four of my siblings will be there with me this Mother's day, and we will say goodbye to our childhood home. I sang about this home in my song "Victoria." I am happy that my parents will not have to work so hard trying to keep up with such a big place, but my heart now has a hollow spot that will have to be filled with treasured memories.
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