When will the CD be released?
11.1.11
Where can I purchase the CD?
ReverbNation.com
How many tracks will be on the CD?
Ten. Here's the list: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fKQDoPEH2w
What was your inspiration for this CD?
My Muse of Music. We talked on the phone almost every night for years. Sometimes he would play the piano, and sometimes I would sing. At the end of last year he was applying for college, and we didn't know where he would end up going. So I wanted to make him a CD as a gift, so that wherever he ended up and however often we would or wouldn't be able to talk he could still hear me sing whenever he wanted. That was the birth of "With Glory's Wreath."
After getting enough questions about the project, and knowing that my MixMaster and I had more ideas percolating in our heads for the songs, I decided to craft this "public" version of the CD. It tells the same story as the "private" version, but where everything about the "private" version was specifically tailored in its construction to one person, this "public" version is more general.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
Did you write the lyrics for this CD?
No. All the tracks on WGW are arias composed by Handel and Bach, musical settings of words crafted by various librettists. However, there is one piece that is on the "private" version" that is not on the "public" version; for that I did write the music, but the words are from the Book of Psalms.
When do you find the time to practice, go to rehearsals, etc.?
There was no real practicing or rehearsing involved. It was hard enough just scheduling the actual studio time with the MixMaster between our two schedules!
Do you travel around the country using different studios?
No. Just one studio in the MixMaster's residence that he was generous enough to let me use.
Who is this "MixMaster"?
That would be Royce. And what can I say? He is too hot to trot, and too cool for school. He is Saturday Night's Main Event. To put it quite simply, Royce Stubbs is the Man. I met him through a mutual friend, I fell in love with his music, and I asked him to help me out with the initial gift project because I thought the pieces would really work with his spin on them. I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am that he said Yes (though it's entirely possible he may regret it at times!). You all need to check out his work at www.reverbnation.com/roycestubbs. Really. Stop reading this Q&A, go listen and come back. I'll wait.
"O Sleep, why dost thou leave me" was dedicated to people who've woken up to find that what they were dreaming of isn't there. What is your favorite dream you've woken up from?
Sitting in a movie theater watching a sparsely-attended movie with someone I love, cuddled up in the seats.
My dreams aren't very active, but they are nice.
The art for "No unhallow'd desire" focuses on your eye. What’s the special reason for the focus on eye?
All of the art has put special attention on the eyes, because the eyes are the window to the soul. And the art for this song does it moreso because this track is the soul of the album.
Why are you so awesome?
Because I have a MixMaster and a Shaper of Designs who enhance all of my good qualities with all of their good qualities. Now get back to work, Shaper! ;)
"Shaper of Designs"?
Oh yes indeed, my wonderful friend of 12 years now (wow) Serena, who runs her own web and graphic design business 319Media. She has done some beautiful work for me over the last few years, including the cover art and track list art for the CD and the art for "No unhallow'd desire". Anyone wanting some web or graphic design work done should have a look at sabretooth.daportfolio.com, eMail her, tell her in no uncertain terms what you need, and then just watch the magic happen.
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The Smithian / Blog
WGW - Foreign Lyric Translations
ACH! MEIN SINN Ach! Mein Sinn, Wo willt du endlich hin? Wo soll ich mich erquicken? Bleib' ich hier, oder wünsch' ich mir Berg und Hügel auf den Rücken? Bei der Welt ist gar kein Rat und im Herzen steh'n die Schmerzen meiner Missetat, weil der Knecht den Herrn verleugnet hat.
Oh! My sense, where would you go at the last? Where should I revive myself? Do I stay here, or do I want the mountains and hills at my back? In all the world is no counsel, and in the heart stands the pain of my wrongdoing, because the vassal has denied his lord.
SVEGLIATEVI NEL CORE Svegliatevi nel core furie d'un alma offesa, a far d'un traditor aspra vendetta. L'ombra del genitore accorre a mia difesa e dice: A te rigor, figlio, si aspetta.
Awaken in my heart the fury of an injured soul, that I may visit on the traitor bitter vengeance! The ghost of my father comes to my aid and says: "From you, my son, severity is expected,"
EILT, IHR ANGEFOCHTNEN SEELEN Eilt, ihr angefochtnen Seelen, geht aus euren Marterhölen, eilt (wohin?) nach Golgatha! Nehmet an des Glaubens Flügel, flieht (wohin?) zum Kreuzeshügel! Eure Wohlfahrt blüht allda.
Hurry, you tortured souls, go from your martyr-graves, hurry (where?) to Golgotha! Take up the wings of faith, fly (where?) to the cross-hill! Your salvation blossoms there.
OMBRA MAI FU Ombra mai fu di vegetabile, cara ed amabile, soave piu.
Never has the shade of a plant, dear and lovely, been so sweet.
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WGW - Q&A
When will the CD be released? 11.1.11
Where can I purchase the CD? ReverbNation.com
How many tracks will be on the CD? Ten. Here's the list: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fKQDoPEH2w
What was your inspiration for this CD? My Muse of Music. We talked on the phone almost every night for years. Sometimes he would play the piano, and sometimes I would sing. At the end of last year he was applying for college, and we didn't know where he would end up going. So I wanted to make him a CD as a gift, so that wherever he ended up and however often we would or wouldn't be able to talk he could still hear me sing whenever he wanted. That was the birth of "With Glory's Wreath." After getting enough questions about the project, and knowing that my MixMaster and I had more ideas percolating in our heads for the songs, I decided to craft this "public" version of the CD. It tells the same story as the "private" version, but where everything about the "private" version was specifically tailored in its construction to one person, this "public" version is more general. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
Did you write the lyrics for this CD? No. All the tracks on WGW are arias composed by Handel and Bach, musical settings of words crafted by various librettists. However, there is one piece that is on the "private" version" that is not on the "public" version; for that I did write the music, but the words are from the Book of Psalms.
When do you find the time to practice, go to rehearsals, etc.? There was no real practicing or rehearsing involved. It was hard enough just scheduling the actual studio time with the MixMaster between our two schedules!
Do you travel around the country using different studios? No. Just one studio in the MixMaster's residence that he was generous enough to let me use.
Who is this "MixMaster"? That would be Royce. And what can I say? He is too hot to trot, and too cool for school. He is Saturday Night's Main Event. To put it quite simply, Royce Stubbs is the Man. I met him through a mutual friend, I fell in love with his music, and I asked him to help me out with the initial gift project because I thought the pieces would really work with his spin on them. I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am that he said Yes (though it's entirely possible he may regret it at times!). You all need to check out his work at www.reverbnation.com/roycestubbs. Really. Stop reading this Q&A, go listen and come back. I'll wait.
"O Sleep, why dost thou leave me" was dedicated to people who've woken up to find that what they were dreaming of isn't there. What is your favorite dream you've woken up from? Sitting in a movie theater watching a sparsely-attended movie with someone I love, cuddled up in the seats. My dreams aren't very active, but they are nice.
The art for "No unhallow'd desire" focuses on your eye. What’s the special reason for the focus on eye? All of the art has put special attention on the eyes, because the eyes are the window to the soul. And the art for this song does it moreso because this track is the soul of the album.
Why are you so awesome? Because I have a MixMaster and a Shaper of Designs who enhance all of my good qualities with all of their good qualities. Now get back to work, Shaper! ;)
"Shaper of Designs"? Oh yes indeed, my wonderful friend of 12 years now (wow) Serena, who runs her own web and graphic design business 319Media. She has done some beautiful work for me over the last few years, including the cover art and track list art for the CD and the art for "No unhallow'd desire". Anyone wanting some web or graphic design work done should have a look at sabretooth.daportfolio.com, eMail her, tell her in no uncertain terms what you need, and then just watch the magic happen.
Reply