manhattan sleeps

My copy of "Manhattan Sleeps" arrived yesterday after I posted my Blathering about it. I really, really love this CD. Jeff and Maya are both SUCH talented songwriters and performers. Jeff, by the way, produced, engineered AND mixed the CD.

I was surprised (and deeply touched) by a mention of my name in the "Thanks" section of the liner notes. When I was visiting Jeff and Maya last year, Jeff played me a guitar riff he had worked on. I loved it, and told him so. Apparently my encouragement helped convinced him to finish the song when he had almost given up on it, and it became the last song on the album, "Not Now".

And after hearing how the final song turned out, I am REALLY glad he decided to finish it. :-)

Looks like Alisa Garcia got her CD as well. Her Blatherchat entry: "Debbie - got my copy of Manhattan Sleeps today, too! Have been doing the same thing with playing it over and over. It's so good! Forgot to turn it down once when I answered my work phone and got laughed at by a co-worker. Can definitely echo your recommendation to have people get ahold of a copy."

You can order a copy RIGHT NOW, if you'd like, since DAG has received their shipment.

Manhattan Sleeps has all original songs:

Road To Jerusalem
Never Mind
Manhattan Sleeps
Scarecrow
Dance in the Darkness
Lord of the Dawn
Shiraz
Wounded
Turn the Page
Spirit and the Stone
Persian Rose
Not Now

Jeff wrote the words and music to most of the songs. Amazing instrumentals. They also have some really talented guest musicians on some of the tracks.

My personal favourite is "Road To Jerusalem", but I reserve the right to change my mind a zillion times as I listen to the CD a zillion more times. The title track, "Manhattan Sleeps", has always made me teary-eyed. The song was written before Sept. 11th; I find it even more moving now.

Wow, does Maya ever have a gorgeous voice (Jeff doesn't sing, for those of you who haven't heard them perform before), incredibly versatile, multi-textured. I could listen to it forever.

Okay, I promise to stop raving about this CD now.

At least for today.





So I packed up my harp in its case last night in preparation for the trip to Orangeville. This is the first time that Gwyneth Paltrow has travelled anywhere since the move home from Philadelphia! And of course now I'm paranoid about strings breaking at the last minute, Gwyneth not liking the Orangeville air and deciding to crack, bla bla bla.

I feel like an overprotective mother about to send her child off into the world for the first time. Except I can pack my child into a nice soundproof case during the journey, unlike other mothers. (Debbie ducks as mothers bristle in horror, including her sister who will probably decide never ever to let me babysit her daughters again)

I will probably not be posting Blatherings until Sunday, but will catch up on Saturday's when some photos from Larkin's and Rick's wedding.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

(and if anyone's going to Contata, please do tell Tom and Dave that I yearn for them tragically)

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Today's Blatherpics:

	Annie peeking in the window at Fune.
	Me, Annie and Sara waiting in the North York Public Library for Sara's recital.
	Me, just after packing poor Gwyneth Paltrow into her case.