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| Who Puts the Words in Taylor's Mouth; The Songwriters | |
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| Topic Started: Feb 1 2008, 03:54 PM (345 Views) | |
| Taymanfan | Feb 1 2008, 03:54 PM Post #1 |
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This entire thread was compiled by mouser and originally posted at the WhompSwamp. It has been copied here for great reading !! Enjoy !!! Thanks mouser - great job.... "THE RUNAROUND” - Loren Gold  As a member of Taylor's Touring Band, Loren Gold will be seen often by the Soul Patrol in the next few months. He began his affiliation with Taylor when he penned the highly touted, "The Runaround". We saw him often during TV appearances as the keyboardist playing the song he created. Up-tempo and sometimes "rowdy", this song is just plain fun. "DREAM MYSELF AWAKE" - Rob Thomas  Born in Germany but raised in South Carolina and Florida, Rob Thomas plied his trade from the age of 17. For four years he sang in pick-up rock bands before landing in Orlando in 1993. “Tabita’s Secret” was his first band, which he eventually left it to form “Matchbox” that soared to stardom. Rob's songwriting talents were showcased when he co-wrote "Smooth" for the Carlos Santana album. He is married, and we are thrilled he has written "Dream Myself Awake" for Taylor. It is melodious with a touch of "raunchiness" in the lyrics. "HEAVEN KNOWS" - Cory Rooney, Maketa Riddick, Kara DioGuardi, Matt Serletic, Ray Charles and the "team" of Warren Moore, Roger Rogers, Malon Tarplin and Smokey Robinson Cory Rooney  As one of the most popular writer-producers in the music business, Cory Rooney has lent his talent to "Taylor Hicks" by co-writing "Heaven Knows". Frequently collaborating with Jennifer Lopez, Cory is used to turning out hits. Since growing up in Queens, N.Y., he has made a name for himself as Senior V.P. of Sony Music. Mr. Rooney states, "... I'm also glad that the music industry has come full circle, where real songs, with good structures, melodies and bridges are being welcomed again." We think "Heaven Knows" represents real music!!! Maketa Riddick  Prolific and hypnotic are adjectives used to describe this young Baltimore native's songs. Her musical abilities have been encouraged since the age of two, and she eventually found herself in New York City following graduation from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Her passion for songwriting was fostered at Berklee where Makeba found herself a mentor in Curtis Richardson, who introduced her to Bad Boy Music/EMI Music Publishing in 2002. As a collaborator in "Heaven Knows", Makeba highlights one of her multi-faceted talents. Kara DioGuardi  A contributor to a long list of internationally successful songs, Kara joins Cory, Maketa and Matt in the making of "Heaven Knows." While her early career and band efforts were not commercially successful, she became a much sought after songwriter, writing for the likes of Christina Aguilera and Pink. We have heard Kara's vocal on the CD as backup singer on "Give Me Tonight." Matt Serletic  As the producer of "Taylor Hicks", as well as a musician on a few of the tracks, Matt is extremely versatile. This link to an interview by Mike Todd of ASCAP gives us an excellent insight into Matt's process for producing a CD: http://www.ascap.com/jam/interviews/mattserletic.html Ray Charles  Need I say more!!! Marvin Tarplin  ,Warren Moore  "Bobby" Rogers  All members with Smokey Robinson and "The Miracles", had a hand in writing "Ain't That Peculiar", while part of the Motown Motortown Revue , for Marvin Gaye. A top tune in 1965, it forms a part of "Heaven Knows". Edited by Taymanfan, Feb 9 2008, 05:30 PM.
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| Taymanfan | Feb 1 2008, 03:55 PM Post #2 |
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The great Smokey Robinson "GONNA MOVE" - Paul Pena  Born with congenital glaucoma in Hyannis, MA, Paul began studies at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA, graduating in 1967. His interest in music began early when he was heard picking out melodies and chords on a baby grand found at a town dump. He began studying the piano, guitar, upright bass and violin. While at Clark University in Worchester, MA, Paul played in, what were then called "coffeehouses." While nursing his ill wife, Paul became interested in Tuvan music, which would influence the rest of his life's work. For more information on Tuvan, link here: http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/w...ountry/tuva_828 "WHEREVER I LAY MY HAT" - Barry Strong, Norman Whitfield, Marvin Gaye Barry Strong  From West Point, Mississippi, Barrett Strong was among the first artists signed to the Motown label as a lyricist, teaming with Norman Whitfield in the mid 1960's. With Whitfield, he wrote some of the most successful and critically acclaimed songs ever to be released by Motown. Norman Whitfield  Born in Harlem, Norman Whitfield in collaborations with Barry Strong went on to move the "Temptations" to a harder, darker sound that featured a blend of psychedelic rock and funk. He formed his own record label, Whitfield Records but had legal problems and health issues that led to his musical decline. Marvin Gaye  Legendary Marvin Gaye, both famous and infamous, began life in a segregated section of Washington D.C.N.E. Gaye's preacher father, a harsh man, was an overly strict disciplinarian. Gaye even changed his name from Gay to Gaye to disassociate himself from his father and in admiration of Sam Cooke. Singing in “doo wop” groups in the Fifties, Gaye was known for his sophisticated, gentlemanly manner, which was so apparent in his performances. His personal life included two failed marriages and a fiery relationship with his father, which ended when he was murdered by this father. Marvin’s legacy lives on. He was inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "GIVE ME TONIGHT" - Kevin Kodish, Brandon Jane, Leah Crutchfield, Kara DioGuardi, Matt Serletic and Taylor Hicks. Kevin Kodish  Brandon Jane  Leah Crutchfield  Kara DioGuardi and Matt Seletic _ see information under "Heaven Knows" Taylor Hicks - see information everywhere and anywhere! "JUST TO FEEL THAT WAY" - Lindy Robbins, Jess Cates and Emanual Kirliakov  Influenced by his Greek heritage, Emanual Kirliakov started his career at the age of twelve and continues to sing, write and produce from his base in New York City. He has scored notable films including "My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” Teaming with Emanuel and Jess Cates, Lindy Robbin is a virtuoso at the piano; the beautiful, clear piano sounds in JTFTW can be attributed to her wonderful composition. 
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| Taymanfan | Feb 1 2008, 03:55 PM Post #3 |
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"THE MAZE" - Scott Cutler and Anne Preven The team of Preven and Cutler adds "The Maze" to their long list of penned songs. Scott Cutler is a musician, producer, and popular songwriter. He played in the popular bands, “Ednaswap” and “Annetenna.” Anne Preven was classically trained beginning at the age of five. A Harvard graduate, she was the lead singer for the bands “Ednaswap” and “Annetenna” where she met her songwriting partner. Together they created an unusual, intricate, whomp melody for "The Maze." They have recently won a Golden Globe for the song, "Listen," written for “Dreamgirls.”  "PLACES I'VE BEEN" - Diane Warren  The accolades bestowed on the songwriting accomplishments of Diane are numerous—six Academy Award nominations, four Golden Globe nominations, and seven Grammy nominations. A California native, her songs deal mostly with romantic themes which contrast greatly with her admitted distaste for dating. We're glad she was able to lend her talents to "Taylor Hicks." "SOUL THING" and "THE DEAL" - Taylor Hicks Now face it, is there anything we don't know about Taylor Hicks ???? !!!!! "THE RIGHT PLACE" - Bryan Adams  Our Ontario, Canada, friend is a rock singer, guitarist and songwriter. Having traveled extensively with his diplomatic parents, Bryan dropped out of school at 15 to pursue his musical dreams. He embraced social and environmental causes and has performed with Live Aid and Conspiracy of Hope Tour, as well as speaking for Greenpeace. This practicing vegan is also an accomplished photographer whose efforts can be seen in magazines in the United States and the United Kingdom. In his youth, he began a longstanding partnership with “Right Place” collaborator, Jim Vallance. Bryan tours on his own and writes songs for film. His recent Golden Globe nomination for “Best Song” for the movie, "Bobby," is validation for his outstanding talents. Jim Vallance  Another Canadian, Jim Valance, was a drummer in the group, "Prism" and wrote many songs for their albums. After meeting 1978, Bryan Adams and he formed the partnership that lasted 11 years. Known for his "up-beat" tempo, Jim must have really curtailed himself when helping to write "The Right Place". Bryan and Jim have created breathtaking music that was originally intended for Ray Charles. After Charles' death, the song was offered to Taylor. This song was truly given to "The Right Place." We all believe Ray would be proud! Addendum: The real history of this song appears to be a little different, according to Jim Vallance, who co-wrote the song with Bryan Adams: In March 1989 Bryan Adams and I wrote a Ray-Charles-style song for Joe Cocker, called “The Right Place”. But I guess Joe decided “The Right Place” was the wrong song, because he didn’t record it. So we sent the song to Ray Charles himself, but Ray didn’t record it either (I was never able to confirm if Joe and Ray actually heard the song … chances are, it never got past their “handlers”). After that, we gave up, and “The Right Place” collected dust on my shelf for nearly 20 years. In September 2006 I heard that Taylor Hicks was recording an album and looking for material. I remembered Taylor’s affinity for Joe Cocker and Ray Charles, and that made me think of “The Right Place”. I knew it wasn’t a “hit” in the traditional sense, but I thought it might be a perfect vehicle for Taylor to channel his love for Joe and Ray. - Jim Vallance, jimvallance.com For entire "article" see: http://www.jimvallance.com/01-music-folder...ight-place.html |
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| Canadianna | Feb 9 2008, 05:12 PM Post #4 |
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Taymanfan, thanks for all the wonderful background on the various songwriters who contributed to Taylor's cd. I was especially interested in the history of 'The Right Place', which happens to be my favourite song from Taylor's album. |
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| Taymanfan | Feb 9 2008, 05:28 PM Post #5 |
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Thanks.. I'm glad you enjoyed it. BUT.... I'm not the one to be thanked. I simply copied it over from the Whomp Swamp site. Mouser is the one who put it all together !!! I thought I had put that in the first post... I'll go do that now... |
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| Canadianna | Feb 11 2008, 04:43 PM Post #6 |
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I'll add my thanks to mouser, too, for this enlightening material. Several years ago I saw a documentary about Paul Pena on PBS TV, focussing mostly on his interest in Tuvan music (which is a form of throat singing), and his travels to the place where that music form originated. The Inuit peoples of Northern Canada do a form of throat singing that involves two people, and is usually done by females. My grandson's mother is Inuit, and a very accomplished throat singer who has performed professionally. She is very versatile and, among other things, can mimic the sound of bears, cats, dogs, etc. It is very different sounding from Tuvan throat singing, but I find both forms fascinating and rather hypnotic. |
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| mouser | Feb 11 2008, 08:11 PM Post #7 |
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Tuvan music was a huge influence on Paul Pena. Perhaps being blind enabled him to be more sensitive to the sounds around him. And didn't Taylor say that he learned the harmonica from listening to the sounds of things and trying to imitate them. I would love to hear this music done live. I think hypnotic , it must be. I wonder whether Tuvan would be available over the internet. I am going to have to search for this and will bring back a link if I can find one. Thanks for bringing this up. |
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| mouser | Aug 25 2008, 12:55 PM Post #8 |
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Here is the video of some Turvan music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY1pcEtHI_w |
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| scoots | Aug 27 2008, 08:47 AM Post #9 |
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Wow, this is an amazing compilation of the writers on the CD. Thanks so much, mouser...impressive work and interesting read (as always) :-) |
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| mouser | Oct 1 2008, 05:18 AM Post #10 |
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Just found this article about a Turvan group. http://www.lily-pad.net/archives/2008/12/19/#003905 « December 16, 2008 | Home | December 30, 2008 » 12/19 Friday 7:00 PM Alash: Masters of Tuvan Throat Singers Ayan-ool Sam, Ayan Shirizhik, Bady-Dorzhu Ondar, Nachyn Choodu  Tuvan throat singing (xöömei), a remarkable technique for singing multiple pitches at the same time. What distinguishes this gifted young group from earlier generations of Tuvan throat singers is the subtle infusion of modern influences into their traditional music. One can find complex harmonies, western instruments, and contemporary song forms in Alash’s music, but its overall sound and spirit is decidedly Tuvan. The musicians were trained in traditional Tuvan music since childhood. In 1999, as students at Kyzyl Arts College, they formed a traditional ensemble. At the same time they learned about western music, practiced on hybrid Tuvan-European instruments, and listened to new trends coming out of America. They are inspired by the music of their grandparents and the great Tuvan and Central Asian musicians, but also influenced by jazz and rock as they look for new ideas that mesh well with the sound and feel of traditional Tuvan music. Alash collaborates with musicians of all stripes, from the avant-garde jazz Sun Ra Arkestra to the classical Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. They appear as guest artists on a new CD by Grammy winning Béla Fleck & the Flecktones ("Jingle All the Way," released fall of 2008), and they will tour with the Flecktones this December. Yet they remain deeply committed to their own ancestral heritage, winning multiple awards for traditional throat singing in international xöömei competitions, both as an ensemble and as individual musicians. Alash’s inaugural U.S. tour was sponsored in 2006 by the Open World Leadership program of the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Arts. Since then, they have returned to tour extensively, playing to enthusiastic audiences and presenting workshops to eager students of all ages. The Washington Post described their music as “utterly stunning,” quipping that after the performance “audience members picked their jaws up off the floor.” The members of Alash are: Nachyn Choodu: vocals, byzaanchy, chadagan. Kyzyl Arts College. First prize for best duo with his wife Shonchulai, 2008 Xöömei Symposium. Bady-Dorzhu Ondar: vocals, igil, doshpuluur, guitar. Kyzyl Arts College. Best soloist, 2005 All-Russian Festival of traditional ensembles and orchestras. Best in Maxim Dakpai xöömei competition, 2006. Named People’s Xöömeizhi, 2007. Grand prize, Üstüü-Xüree Festival, 2008. Ayan-ool Sam: vocals, doshpuluur, chanzy, igil, guitar. Republic School of the Arts. Kyzyl Arts College. Moscow State Pedagogical University. First prize, Üstüü-Xüree Festival, 2008. Ayan Shirizhik: vocals, kengirge, shyngyrash, murgu, xomus. Kyzyl Arts College. Second prize, Üstüü-Xüree Festival, 2008. Sean Quirk: interpreter and manager. Studied music in Tuva on a Fulbright fellowship. Named Merited Artist of Tuva, 2008. Kongar-ool Ondar: Artistic Director. People’s Xöömeizhi. Known to Americans for his role in the film Genghis Blues, which chronicles Paul Pena’s musical odyssey to Tuva. http://www.alashensemble.com/ |
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