Continuing the story of how it all happened Sept 22nd, CD, CONCEPT FOR TOUR
Well, we are up to the night of the Concert itself. This was a dream come true for me and the rest of the band. We all wanted it to be the best we ever performed these songs, and we knew the stakes were high which made it even more dizzying. Having been very sick the week before, it was my challenge to get to 100% by the night of the concert. I did that so, for me the rest of it was being present to the music and being with the amazing musicians i had picked to do this music with me.. I started performing this music at Sunday Services, solo, …then Ruth and I were a duo for a while then Ruth and Marshal and I were a trio, and then Bob and I were a Duo, then Bob and Marshal and I performed for some fundraisers and then the magic number 4, of all of us together, gave us the synergy that the music asked for and finally at this concert, the music took off… it soared on its own wings… and we are the recipients of that wonderful end result.. this AMAZING CD.. i say that after listening to it unmixed, mixed for over a month, and then as a CD for months after that, and still the music seems fresh and alive. That is something.
Yes, we came through with flying colors. Everyone there in the audience felt the magic of the music, the fact that we were recording this live from ONE performance, which we were told after the concert, was hardly ever done anymore. They informed us that on Tour, people would record all performances and take the BEST from each night.. we had only this one opportunity and we were able to go full tilt and get the job done. The set list was inclusive of 21 songs, and we used 15 on the final CD. The night was a blur, but i recall Rozanne was out front with Lisa, taking donations to the Post Polio Health Organization and donations to the band, and Rozanne and Lisa came up with a PRE SALES FORM that people could prepay for their CD that we would deliver to them when the final mix was done.. Well, it was sure gratifying to see all those people loving the concert so much that we pre-sold over $1000.00 of CDs before we even had a product. That is how i knew people want to hear this music.. and it gave me courage to move ahead with our plan to play out everywhere there were people who remembered this great music and don’t get to hear it much anymore. They were almost as caught up in it as the performers.. and we just felt that the instrumentation and the balance in the digital live feed was just perfect. Unfortunately, Joni has the symptoms of the Polio she contracted as a child so we know that her music needs ambassadors. We want to do that for us, the fans and for Joni. We love Leonard’s work as well and feel it is in balance with Joni’s work and Jennifer Warnes work who is well – known for singing his music on the FAMOUS BLUE RAINCOAT Album. We know from those examples, that it sounds great being sung by a woman.. so the recipe was created.
So, after the concert our original plan for mixing off the soundboard was scrapped and Chris Brown took the lead in his studio and we mixed all the final tracks in DP, which gave us the best possible sound from what we had recorded. It was such a great experience working with Chris, being a musician himself and having won a Grammy Award for Paul Winters recording live in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC, I knew that i was in great hands. We sat together a few times, maybe five, and we finished it in time for the CD Release Party on December 2nd at our Carriage House in Westport, CT.
What a day, the CDs were selling, the food was great and everyone was there to support us .. it was such a high and we knew that more people would want to know about this deep, feeling-full music that defines an era. Joni and Leonard were lovers for a short while and yet, their music is so entwined and glorious together even today, that we wanted to bring them back for this tribute to their immortal work. So, now we have this website http://www.suzannesheridanmusic.com and i can keep everyone updated as to what transpires as we move forward with our bold plan. My friend, Prill has taught me that it is important to do at least one bold thing a day. Here is our Bold Plan.
OUR BOLD PLAN
Our plan is to begin performing a tour in small Theaters and Concert venues along the Northeast and as part of Step One, culminating in Canada where i did my first live show Solo, a few summers ago at the Piggery Theatre in North Hatley, Canada.. the show was warmly received then , and now that we have the other musicians, Bob Cooper on brilliant piano and keyboards, Ruth on Flute, Sax Barritone Sax and Clarinet as well as some background vocals, and Marshal Rosenberg on percussion, this is a recipe for great nights of music and fun. Then to perform again in different venues on our way back to Connecticut.
Step two of our Bold Plan, is to perform in great venues throughout Europe, including France, England, Ireland and other places where our music would be well-received. I lived in Paris for a year while studying Philosophy and tons of French, and would love to get back there and perform to that Gem in Europe. We are looking for someone to help get us booked in these places… So, if you would like to help us in any way please reach out to us .You will find that we are open and receptive to finding the best help to get us out there big time !! Want to be a part of that ??
Thank you .. .Suzanne at blog post #2
Suzanne Sheridan Music 