 |  | COVERS ALBUM PROJECT -- "My Ever Changing Moods" (part 1)
| 9/10/2010 12:34:48 AM - I'm sure there are many that are surprised that I am undertaking the project of making a whole album of covers; most know what I snobby and stubborn I am in strictly doing originals with a sprinkling of covers here and there. So let me explain how it came about: We were actually trying to get my remix EP "Alternate Routes" released in Japan, and when we spoke with Geneon, they were lukewarm. Apparently remix albums sell about 25% of what original albums do, and "Routes" hadn't shown large numbers in sales. Unfortunately, the way it works is that unless an artist has an album or some product they are promoting, it is difficult to get booked in clubs; the clubs are counting on the promotion by the record label to help bring customers in, thus saving them the full responsibility and task of doing the promotions. So I needed a release to get a tour going in the summer in Japan.
Geneon suggested releasing the remix EP alongside another project, and then suggested doing a covers album. Believe it or not, as far back as 9 years ago, I had planned on one day doing such a project, and somehow it seemed appropriate. Especially considering the timeline; we began talking about the album in early February for an early July release, which meant I'd have to have the album completed and mastered, including the artwork, by the end of May. If I was single without any other responsibilities, I might have tackled an original album, but with my personal responsibilities now, it would be impossible. And rather than lumping the remix EP alongside the covers album, I felt it best to keep the rights to my remix project, and have Geneon focus completely on promoting the covers album. Everyone was in agreement and happy over this arrangement.
I was excited at the prospect of choosing which tracks to do; a whole album of covers was going to be a challenge. I wanted to choose songs by artists that I have been inspired by over the years and which has ultimately helped to shape my musical vision, style and concepts. I think it is important for artists to do covers that they can relate to. I asked the Geneon team to come up with a list of songs that they thought would be appropriate, as well as coming up with a list of my own and came up with the final list that I think is a good healthy mix of songs ranging from ultra underground to old pop. There were some suggestions that Geneon made that was pretty cute. One that comes to mine is "Sara" by Starship. The song is not bad, but it's clearly for a male singer singing about a girl he is infatuated with named Sara. Would have made me a lesbian if I'd sung it! I sifted through songs by The Jacksons, Chick Corea, Freddie Hubbard, Steely Dan, Carol King, and many others and came up with the final list of eleven songs.
So let me list the songs and explain why I chose them:
"Walking In Your Footsteps" (The Police) -- The Police was one of my favorite groups in my teen years and their "Synchronicity" album was practically the soundtrack of my youth when it came out. I chose this particular song because I had "rediscovered" it while on vacation many years back in a tiny Caribbean island called Il de Saints and was marveling over its simple melody, much like a folk song, that felt primeval at the same time. It really ignites my imagination.
"True Colors" (Cyndi Lauper) -- I'm sure many will agree that Cyndi Lauper, while being one goofy broad, is one of the finest singer-songwriters to come out of the 80s. This song especially rang true to me lyrically, and is I think really beautiful.
"Call Me" (Blondie) -- Debborah Harry of Blondie was an untouchable, mysterious and sexy icon to me in my youth and what she and Blondie came up with musically was so fresh and inspiring at the time. I recently heard this song while grocery shopping, and started imagining it in bossa nova style, and thought it would be fun to include on this album.
(cont'd) | | Monday Michiru Blog |
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