Hi Everyone,
I hope you are all well 🙂
It has been a busy week for me. I had two days in the studio with some brilliant songwriters; Brad, Matt and Theo of ‘Alkemi’. It is so refreshing and exciting to collaborate with writers who have such a spectrum of musical influences. I am looking forward to hearing the final results of our hard work, and can’t wait to share it with you all.
On Wednesday, I was fortunate enough to experience a very special and intimate performance from ‘America’s Songwriter’, Jimmy Webb in London. I am a huge fan of his work, and it was such a privilege to see him perform some of his songs live; just him, a piano and a microphone. It was magical. There was just a small audience, and it was wonderful to watch everyone so still and engaged, listening with such awe and respect for this amazing man. He is extremely humble and performed with such generosity – sharing stories about his songs and career with us, like we were all good friends of his. A singer I grew up listening to, (6 times Grammy award winner) Art Garfunkel, recorded so many of Jimmy’s songs; his album ‘Watermark’ being one that really stands out for me, where Jimmy composed almost every track. These songs have inspired me so much, as a songwriter, and also as a singer – Art Garfunkel’s phrasing of these lyrics and melodies is just exquisite. My favourite songs on the album are Crying in My Sleep and Shine it On Me. I can’t put my finger on what it is that connects with me in his music. He writes beautiful stories, with every detail painted out perfectly, in vivid colour for you to imagine. ‘Crying in My Sleep’ is a prime example of this: “I went out to loosen up the car, somehow I wound up at the rainbow bar. I had a scotch and soda on the run, but I didn’t get to far” – Just amazing. He writes so melodically – there is nothing gimmicky about his songs – they just give the ears and the heart what they need to hear, with perfectly crafted subtle surprises. It is quite remarkable how many beloved voices have recorded Jimmy Webb’s songs. Barbra Streisand’s ‘Didn’t We’ is magical and of course Glen Cambell’s ‘By The Time I Get To Phoenix’ is a classic. This list could go on and on…I hope you enjoy listening to this small selection 🙂
Seeing him did make me wonder what it would be like to meet all my other songwriter heroes (too many to mention) :-O Can you imagine?! #geek !!
Harriet xx
Beautiful words Harriet and wonderful sentiments. So glad you got to meet one of your ‘heroes;’ inspiring meeting I have no doubt.
May your journey be ever colourful and filled with unforgettable surprises.
Best regards
Gary xo
Glad you got to meet Jimmy Webb! He is quite revered over here, too! It’s such a great feeling when you get to finally meet someone that you have admired for a long time. I know because I’ve been able to meet some of my music heroes, too! Continued success and hopefuly over your lifetime, you will get to meet more and more of your heroes! Love this chapter of your notebook!
Hi Harriet.lovely to see you with Jimmy. I too have loved his music from his” And so on” album. I love his voice and the passion he puts into his lyrics.i love his song “Paul Gauguin” the way it builds and builds.wonderful lyrics.i hope jimmy writes for you Harriet.or maybe record on of his lesser known ones like” pocketfull of keys”.great to see you meeting your heroes.good luck in whatever you do. Ken