" Taking Stock in What Matters"

" I've been afraid of changing,
cause I built my life around you,
but time makes you bolder,
children get older and I'm getting older too"- Stevie Nicks " Landslide"

Life is a precious gift and every once in a while you are reminded of how precious it is.  I was recently reminded of this and have been taking stock in what is necessary to have in life and what is not. 

In my opinion, Stevie Nicks is an incredible singer- songwriter.  She writes from the heart and uses her voice to convey the emotion she is trying to deliver.  Stevie is a poet whose message has transended the test of time.  She wrote " Landslide" when she was around the age of 28.  "  Silver Springs" is a powerful song about living through a breakup and Stevie delivers a haunting vocal.  Her solo career took off with " Edge of Seventeen" which has a catchy quality to it.  I have been lucky enough to see her twice live, once with Don Henley and with Fleetwood Mac.  Stevie has influenced many of the other artists that I listen to like Sheryl Crow. She says exactly what she feels and it is refreshing.  It is nice to know that when I sent in my songs to a website that they compared my songs to Stevie. 

I am doing a lot of writing lately and it is helping to release some of the feelings I have been experiencing.  I think it will be a lot of writing during this stage and if there is time I may be able to record one song at a time whenever I get the chance.  I hope that you are all well. 

" Was It Just A Dream?"

" Songwriting is about getting the demon out of me." - John Lennon

John Lennon wrote about his emotions and poured them out in songs that would become some of the most important, influential and powerful ones in history.  For all the success he achieved in life, the pain he endured is described in detail.  His songwriting was his therapy and he looked for ways to achieve his dreams.  His drive to succeed was influenced by his father abandoning him, his mother's death, his aunt raising him and meeting Paul McCartney.  I can understand why John said that quote about songwriting.  Sometimes you let so much emotion build up inside that you feel that you need to release it.  There is nothing more gratifying than to write and record a song and have people relate and express feeling the same way.  That is what gives people hope.  It is important that we continue to support each other and be kind to each other. 

I have uploaded two more songs "Imperfections" and " Underneath".  I would appreciate if you took some time to listen and leave feedback on them as well as the three that I uploaded last week.  There is a lot going on lately and it should come through in my lyrics.  I do think that I am developing as a singer songwriter and have made some progress compared to a year ago.  I hope you enjoy the music and the entry.  Hope you are all well!

An update on my songwriting progress

Hello Everyone-

Just a brief note to let you know that I have three new songs uploaded on my pages.  Hope you enjoy them and feel free to leave feedback.  Looking forward to recording a few more songs in the coming weeks.  Hope everyone is well!

Sarah

" And We All Shine On, Like the Moon, the Stars and The Sun"

John Lennon's music revolved around important moments in his life.  " Julia" is a song that describes how he felt about his mother and dealing with the loss of her at such a young age.  John wrote so many great songs: "Instant Karma", " War is Over", " Power to the People", " Imagine", " Just Like Starting Over" and " 9 Dream" are some of my favorites.  The message that comes through John's songs is love, peace and that anything is possible.  He was just a lad from Liverpool with a dream... to become a successful musician.  His journey gives hope to everyone who has ever dreamt of making it big and coming from nowhere.  His message still lives on thirty years after his death. 

As for my progression, I had a recent bout of laryngitis and I am slowly getting my voice back.  Writing is going well and hope to still maintain my deadline of having some new songs recorded and uploaded by the end of the month.  I have also been looking into sending some songs to underground radio stations for some feedback and exposure.  I do hope to play a couple of open mic nights in the near future.  Hope all is well with everyone.

" Love is the Answer"- Remembering John Lennon

Today would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday.  He was a wonderful human being whose message of peace lives on in his songs.  He is the artist I will be focusing on this month as I write about singer-songwriters who influence me.  The depth of John's songs is amazing.  In his Beatle days, he wrote light hearted songs about love but as his writing developed he would write moving songs like " In My Life" and " Strawberry Fields Forever".  His solo work is where he really blossomed and was writing from the heart- " Imagine", " Working Class Hero" and " Mother" describe the hope that one day we would have peace and be able to live in harmony with one another.  It makes you wonder in the thirty years since he passed on, what would he think of the world if he was still with us?  John had a difficult childhood and overcame the odds to become a successful musician.  I can not help but be inspired by him.  To see where he came from, to actually visit the house he grew up in and be in the room where some of the classic Beatle songs where written leaves you feeling like you can accomplish anything you what no matter where you came from.  Happy 70th Birthday John! 

I am writing a lot lately... regarding the challenges in my life- trying to find a job, relationships, letting go of the past and facing the future.  I recently turned 29.... and it has occurred to me that there are many things I have not done that I would like to do before I am 30.  One of these things would be to play at least one gig.... some of the other things are very simple- for example- go horseback riding.  I have 363 days to accomplish these things.  That is all for now.  Hope to have the songs recorded and put up on the sites within the next month.  Hope you are all well!!

My Favorite Christine McVie Songs

Since the month of September is coming to a close, I have decided to list my top ten Christine McVie songs.

10. " Heroes are Hard to Find"- This song is great... it has a funky musical accompanyment and the lyrics sound like you are getting advice from an old friend. 

9. " Don't Stop"- This song was on constant replay for most of last year while I was getting ready to graduate, take the exit exam and the NCLEX.  It is a positive tune that always makes me smile.  Off of the massive " Rumours" album, it provides a nice message to someone who is going through a painful time. 

8. " Isn't it Midnight"- This is a great song and it is even better live.  Off of the " Tango in the Night" album, it describes a chance encounter between a man and a woman. There seems to be a theme of unrequited love in the lyrics.  This was co-written by Christine and Eddy Quintela.   Every time I hear this song, I end up dancing. 

7. " Love Shines"- Very light hearted song about finding love and how all the troubles in life fade away when you are with the one you love. 

6. " The Way I Feel" - This song is very simple and the lyrics talk about expressing and realizing feelings.  It showed what was to come from Christine in terms of vulnerablity and heartfelt lyrics.

5. " Little Lies"- This song is one of my favorites off the " Tango in the Night" album.  It came out in the 80's and has that catchy chorus. 

4. " Say You Love Me"- This song has a cool bluesy feel and the lyrics are relateable. 

3. " You Make Lovin' Fun"- Upbeat song with a beat that makes you want to dance and find love. 

2. " Songbird" - This is a beautiful piece of music.  To me, it falls into the same category as " Yesterday".  It is really just a nice simple piano arrangement and the earthiness of Christine's voice.  

1. " As Long As You Follow"-  This song is my favorite song of Christine's. She co-wrote it with Eddy Quintela, her then husband.  The song describes the journey to finding love and the many obstacles that are met along the way. It is a nice slow dancing song.  I hope that it will be my wedding song someday.

" A Change In Direction"

There are many things I could say about Christine McVie.  She is a hero in my eyes who never intended on being an international superstar.  Her heart belonged to the blues and found success in singing the blues.  She joined Fleetwood Mac and her songwriting developed- you can see the growth from her songs on "Mystery to Me" and compare it to her songs on the " White Album".  She always wrote honestly and openly with such ease.  The melodies of her songs make them some of the most memorable in music history. 

Melodies.... they are what makes the song in my mind.  I recently sent a website four of my songs for a general review.  I knew that my songs were not great- they were recorded on a downloaded computer system that leaves a little to be desired. Writing is supposed to get better over time... I hope so.  I received my report today that said I have a great way with melody.  They suggest that I could benefit from having a few open mic nights.  I would love to do this but am unsure if I would have support with me.  It is something I am seriously considering in order to further develop my musical career. 

I have recorded three new songs on a little recorder. I am trying to figure out a way to upload my songs with the best quality onto my sites.  My computerized music studio does not seem to capture the best vocal tracks and I am exploring my options.  Music has evolved since Christine first started making music but I hope that one day I can have a career that is as successful and wonderful as hers.