Artist Retreat in Vermont
In August I spent a week at Imaginary Road Studio in Vermont, working with producer Will Ackerman and engineer Tom Eaton on my Wyeth-inspired album. What an incredible experience… starting from my drive through beautiful countryside listening to one of my favorite David Darling albums, Prayer for Compassion. His gorgeous cello helped me transition from ueber-stressed Mommy to artist ready for creating and recording. Even my nasty cough that had been my constant companion let up a little during the drive there… sorta…
Well, I say sorta, because that cough did NOT let up the entire week- I was really wretching my insides out the whole time I was in Vermont, despite having attacked the cold with all the homeopathy and antibiotics and home remedies my doc and I could throw at it before I left home. I am still amazed that I was able to hold back the cough while recording takes… but I was, and after every take, the moment the last note of the piece stopped ringing, I would cough cough cough.
Despite the cough though, something about the studio was of course inspiring – with its beauty and quiet (and not to mention the Grammy on the shelf and all the Platinum records on the walls). During the week when I wasn’t recording I spent every possible minute composing-this mom of a 4 and 2 year old was basking – rolling- delighting- IN HEAVEN!!!!!! – TO HAVE PEACE AND QUIET TO FOCUS. Whoops, was I shouting just now as I was typing? Let’s just say I was pretty excited to have the time to focus and concentrate on music uninterrupted.
I am bursting at the seams to tell you more about the piece I wrote while I was there… but I will wait just a little because the piece’s story is still unfolding I think. But, I can just say it’s my best work to-date. It made me cry when I heard our recording of it at the end of the week. It made some of my friends cry when I shared it with them after I came home. And, it’s fully composed, every note written out (those of you who have followed my improvisation career will know what a huge milestone that is for me personally). I know that’s a lot to say, but maybe I can just leave it at – I hope you like it!
I’m going back to Vermont later this month for more work on the Wyeth album. Next month I go back to Vermont to record several piano tracks for my friend Jeff Oster’s album. In the meantime I’m busy practicing Sibelius, Brahms, and Schubert for October and November concerts at the Brandywine River Museum AND I have my classical-jazz album ready for mastering and hopefully will release that soon- more news about that shortly!
My heart is full. I am so grateful for the music in my life right now.
p.s. It took about 6 weeks from start to finish, but that nasty cough bug finally left…