Voices from the Village (2006/2011)

These texts are paraphrases of anonymous personal ads appearing in the Village Voice (II, III, IV, and V) and the New York Times (I, IV & VI) in 2006; available from North Star Music.  Overall range G3-G5. In reading through some hundreds of these, I found that many of the authors tried to present themselves as interesting, mysterious, and alluring with humor, colorful imagery, or poetic turns of phrase.  Their sincere longing for a close relationship seemed to me an ideal theme for a set of songs. All titles are the authors’ originals. Repetitions have been added, a very few words have had synonyms substituted, and a few phrases not vital to the essential point of the ad have been eliminated entirely; the form and character of each ad has been retained.  The settings are intended to be sympathetic and as sensitive as possible to the shifting moods of the texts.

This is also available in a transcription for voice & piano trio - the piano part is similar and the voice part is identical; video of this version is here, order here.

I. Adorable Cutie with Brain - quirky, eccentric, and flighty until the end, where the speaker confides her deep longing. About 2:40, range A3-E5.

II. Fantasy Dancer - in a waltzing rhythm compares herself to a rare flower. About 2:55; range D4-Eb5.

III. Elegance Seeks Upscale Quality (2011) - a matronly sort, in tango rhythm, asserts that she’s still got it and is worth a partner with class. About 2:50; range B4-G5.

IV. Redhead, Petite & Beautiful - a swinging, confident, finger-snapping redhead is looking for a fellow artist. About 2:15; range Bb3-F5.

V. Endangered Species - the speaker compares herself - perhaps a bit over the top - to a lithe, rare, and possibly dangerous feline. About 2:25; range D4-E5.

VI.  Please Have All Your Marbles - in a 3/2 funk groove, the speaker wants a man real bad, but not one who can’t get his stuff together. About 3:20; range G3-E5.

VII. Starlight Princess - in a drifting, dream-like mood, the speaker longs for a companion who is - at present - only imaginary. About 3:20; range B3-E5.