Cindy memories, Part 2
Feb. 3rd, 2006 11:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
One of my favorite songs on the "Crystal Singer" tape that Cindy recorded in 1981 was "Arise, My Love." It stayed stuck in my head for the lovely imagery and melody. When she would perform the song I would softly sing one of the harmonies that had developed over time. At one con I actually asked for it in a bardic circle ("pick, pass or play"). She sang it and afterward said, "So it's you! You're the one! I thought I was hearing things sometimes and would look around for who was harmonizing with me, but could never spot the person."
This was the start of our friendship as well as the first of many musical collaborations. In addition to "Arise, My Love" I had a feel for "Bring Me A Star," one of the songs on Cindy's "Singer in the Shadow" tape that she recorded with her father and brother Bobby (what later became known as the "Southern California" or "South" or "rock" version because it had electric bass on some tracks). It was fun.
At the time Cindy said she would usually get off-track when someone other than her father (and maybe her brother) sang harmony with her, but for some reason it didn't happen with me, at least most of the time. At first I thought it was flattery, but figured since I was enjoying singing with her, it didn't matter. If true, I'd like to think I helped her get used to another voice around her and helped pave the way for her beautiful collaborations with
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I was surprised and seriously honored that Cindy asked me to participate in the "redo" of that tape to make it more folk. Since I liked Cindy's songs and was familiar with the recordings, it was a matter of deciding what sort of harmony support she wanted. Although I had no formal studio experience, it seemed like it would be interesting, so I agreed. So much else at Off-Centaur Publications, at least on the music recording side, appeared to be on a similar learning curve, so it wasn't scary, except for the prospect of letting Cindy down. And in terms of greater technical music expertise there was Cathy Cook (now Catherine MacDonald).
While it was work, it was also wonderful getting to know Cindy. Although I'd sung and played guitar before I got into filk, my cooperative experience were choral rather than in a band, so I enjoyed learning the musical vocabulary that best fit. Things like "should there be a fermata on the second note?" or "do you consider vowel-matching a higher priority than getting the decrescendo right?" didn't cut it. LOL!
If not for Cindy wanting me to record with her on "Singer in the Shadow," I don't think I would've become part of the early OCP back-up vocal support. It occurred at a time in my life where doing music and fandom fit really well. I have many treasured memories from those experiences. (However, recording engineer Jeff Rogers threatened bodily damage if he heard much more "oooo-ing" from me. Oh, well.)
Thanks Cindy!
Next: "Children of the Fall"