Hey there everyone:
I told you I would come back and expound a bit on the two CD set that Leo (Prisoner_Walking) sent me to listen to. As you know, I think he has an incredibly handsome voice, and he's a fine keyboard player, too. He's got all those right ingredients to become the next biggest thing out of the UK since The Beatles. Let's hope it happens for him.
Here's a synopsis of the songs, and a bit about each one.
THEY DON’T MAKE HEARTS – This song is really gorgeous. If this is indicative of Dana Britten-Stein's writing skills – well, it’s right up my alley, as they say – it's beautiful in every way. And Leo executes it so well. I love his harmonies in the background – he sounds so good doing these “lush sounding” arrangements.
Plus…I can understand Leo – it’s so important to me to be able to understand the vocals, and that’s something he does WELL. Beautifully done, this.
LOOK, DON’T TOUCH – This is an original Leo Tarring composition that was written in 1998 and recorded in 2000. I LIKE this composition for a lot of reasons. First, I like the beat – this is a good, danceable song…nice tempo. And, it’s catchy! I mean, it’s easy to remember. The words are fun and they tell a great story and, I am all over Leo's vocal harmonies.
GREAT JOB. SUNSHINE GIRL – I LIKE THIS! It’s a great tune and Leo brings out some great harmonies on the bridge. It’s original – it’s crisp and it’s clever! I don't know how in the WORLD he comes up with these ideas?? Always just blows me away how songwriters DO this! And his ideas are all so different, one from another. I realize that’s supposed to be the case, but it just won’t come to ME…and though I understand the concept, I just don’t have a feel for it.. I suppose we’re all not supposed to write and sing and play – I love the singing/playing role I take – but I’m so happy there are ULTRA TALENTED individuals like Leo who can WRITE such fantastic songs. So… good on him that he has this wonderfully creative ability PLUS an AWESOME voice.
I suppose one key element in his songs is the guitar – especially the lead guitar parts. It’s an important element that, unfortunately I never use – because I would simply use other voicings like an oboe, or a sax, maybe brass or something – just never had a good enough guitar player close to rely on, so didn’t utilize a good lead guitar. I also use LOTS of strings.
Outstanding job on this song. Excellent all the way 'round.
(NOW I AM A) STRANGER – Oh, WOW – by FAR my favorite of Leo's originals. Such an incredibly beautiful song. Simple – lovely – just
beautiful ! I just LOVE it (can you tell yet)?
I can’t really describe all the things I love about this song…. but here’s something perhaps that will create sort-of a universal “understanding", if I liken my feelings about “Stranger” to a familiar Carpenters tune. This reminds me of one of the Carpenters more upbeat songs – “
Sailing On The Tide.” NOT in rhythm, but in "feel", if you will. I remember hearing this tune for the first time. [This story will tell you a bit about me, too –
I wear my heart out on my sleeve, if you will – and can get pretty emotional,
especially where music is concerned] – that is, literally, either listening to or singing something – if it touches that
“place” in my
soul – it can trigger deep emotion – tears, smiles, chills, etc. So, when I heard “
Sailin’ On The Tide ” for the first time, I was smiling from ear to ear, AND had big tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat at the same time. Why? The song is a sassy one, and suited Karen’s voice SO well, I thought. Of course, she was gone by the time the song was released – so when I heard the lyrics, it choked me up – especially these….”
the city and me just don’t agree on who I should be – maybe I should get away…take myself a holiday…No more calls beggin’ my time – no more walls for me to climb – I can’t wait to feel the sunshine …(and of course, the clincher line) –
Leavin’ at DAWN (she died very early in the a.m.) –
after I’m GONE, life will go on – someone’s gotta TAKE MY PLACE RUNNIN’ IN THE HUMAN RACE ….”
Ooooooo
chilling …. I’ve always felt as though the song was a prophetic one, especially written for, then recorded by Karen. It just seemed to tell me, by Karen’s own voice, that she was, in fact, OKAY. She just went “home” to feel the “son-shine.” It gave me shivers, smiles and tears, all at once.
Stranger reminds me of this song in terms of it’s beautiful melody – it’s more upbeat feel and the lyrics I just love are– “
I am just like any other no-chance fella who is passin’ you by …” Just an awesome song, – truly.
BRILLIANT!!! ALL SHE NEEDS – another great song. I like the lyric
“all she needs is a little bit of love to keep her soul alive .” A great line – and for a guide track, this sounds GREAT – I can’t imagine how super it will sound when he gets it where he WANTS it. It’s a good, solid song.
BLIND – Here, Leo combines a bit of his own creativity with the work of Chopin. BRAVO. You know, Barry Manilow did this too, and had a highly successful pop tune because of it. “
THIS NIGHT ”, by Billy Joel, is actually based on Beethoven…it’s on the Innocent Man LP – a great song. So…I would say to Leo, keep experimenting – it’s going to pay off I feel sure. This IS a beautiful, haunting song. Such a nice, controlled vibrato, and a really lush-sounding melody for his voice. (Nice! Nice! Nice! Leo seems to have a wonderfully wide vocal range – and his falsetto voice is great and really strong, too.
HITCHHIKER - What a SUPER song! I love all the various instruments – the guitar, the piano, and my favorite vocal line is “
do you know a place where I can sit and maybe work on my songs .” This song has a super beat to it – the glissando adds a lot, in my opinion, and L's keyboard solo work is just super – but NOT overdone. Nice. Leo has a talented friend, Cheryl Parris, and she has a really good voice, too. She is a welcomed addition, joining him here. All ‘round, this song is excellent in my opinion.
BACK TO SEE – Another exceptional tune…I like the reverb used in the vocals, and Leo's guitar player, Jeff - well, his guitar work is top-notch! He is just an outstanding player. I think Leo was lucky to have found him to collaborate with. They sound quite good together. FAB work, here.
REAL WORLD – is another interesting tune with yet more fun-to-listen-to lyrics. An interesting story to ponder, I think in this song. I like the rhythm in this one – and I like the harmonies. Pretty straight forward, but the drum sample Leo chose is awesome. It’s a toe-taper, for sure!! A song you go away humming.
I'd like to know what the genesis was for this tune? It's an excellent tune that Leo's friend Cheryl again joins him on. They sing extraordinarily well, together. Great blend of voices.
HOLD ON TO YOUR LOVE – This is a really fun, disco tune. I believe Leo used this one as an entry to a contest. It's very well done. The disco beat – or Euro boy band beat – is reminiscent of the Donna Summer years – very interesting, I find it.
Leo shared that this sounds a bit "big production" and it's true, because of the way it was done, and for what it was done for....but it's definitely a winner, for sure. It's got a great melody and is lots of fun to listen to. Our Prisoner_Walking is quite a talent. And, I remind you to these ears (and remember, I've been listening to Carpenters for 36 years now) - Leo has a real Carpenteresque sound, when he wants to....not always - ONLY when he WANTS to....and I, for one, LIKE it!
BABY, DON’T BREAK MY HEART SLOW – Nice job on this tune. This is a Vonda Shepherd tune from Ally McBeal.... back when – Vonda Shepherd has an “unusual” sounding voice. I like what Leo did with this song a lot.
DARK IN THE PARC – What a GREAT tune. EXCELLENT dance beat, and wonderful harmonies. It's tells a great story, and it just loads of fun to listen to. You're smiling while listening.....
I hope this does not offend Leo, but I’m reminded at one point of Ricky Martin – Now, I happen to LIKE Ricky Martin, and his songs, but I know a lot of people DON’T – so if you’re one of those who don’t like him, sorry, but from MY point of view, this is supposed to be a compliment!!!
I especially like the line “
no one can hear your voice above the rest .” It has a similar melody line right there to something Ricky has done before. This is well sung by Leo and quite a creative song, I think.
STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU – Russell Javors would be proud to hear one of his “babies” in such good, capable hands as Leo's. Still In Love With You is not an easy song to sing, vocally. Yet, Leo seems to do it with pure ease. Karen Carpenter recorded Still In Love With You on her solo CD. Leo has his own take on it, completely - and it's excellent. Nicely done, Leo. Bravo.
MUSIC MAN – A song about the music "business" side of things.....very sort of sarcastic and hip. Here is another outstanding tune. I love it. I like everything about it – the beat – the lyrics are so cool – I especially like when Leo sings “
and I’m getting…old .” Cleverly done! Do you all remember in Palma's final installment of her interview for us how she talked about when she responded to one record executive that she was 27, and he retorted to her something like - "well, you're getting old." I thought about that as I heard the satire in this song. I don't know how these songwriters come UP with all this fun stuff, but it's great. I’m so made up about Leo as a songwriter – The whole “concept” is very cool! Great job all the way ‘round on this tune!
READY TO LOVE – Here is yet ANOTHER really beautiful song…. I really LIKE this song – it’s haunting and just gorgeous. The melody line is beautiful as are the vocals – melody and harmony. The minor key just makes it “mysterious.” And, what a sad, sad story. “
Now I’m packed up – ready to leave this life behind me. ” I like the “counter-melody” he puts in towards the end. SO CREATIVE!!!
MRS. MUELLER DIDN’T MAKE IT – How fun! This song is about one of Leo's favorite movies, and one I've enjoyed as well, The Towering Inferno. Remember Mrs. Mueller? He's done a great job at creating a song around the fact that she doesn't make it all the way to the end of the movie. It's very cool. I like the sort-of shuffle beat to this one – makes for a fun way to tell the story here…and it IS a fun story – sure enough. However, it’s also a great song! I’m more and more amazed each time I hear these tunes – and I hear various nuances each time I listen. I’ve indicated in my writings that same thing about Palma’s, Carpenters, and Joel’s music…and the same can certainly be said about LEO's music. He is an EXCELLENT songwriter.
I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU – You know, I have never attempted singing this Dolly Parton song myself, mainly because I never cared for the way Whitney Houston sang it. Leo sings it so “sweetly” – in a most masculine way (if THAT makes any sense). I continue to marvel at the rich, full quality of his voice. AND at the modulation he sings in this song – well, he carries that off well. This is not an easy thing – keeping the pitch as nicely as he did on this recording. Another really nice job, Leo.
PERFECT DAY – I believe Leo wrote this tune too, though I need clarification on that from him. It’s a beautiful song. It’s absolutely gorgeous and one reason is, of course, the appealing way in which he sings it. BRAVO. Great job!
FEELS LIKE HOME –This is a song written by Randy Newman. Leo told me he recorded this at the end of a session, and his voice was "tired" when he did so. If this is how his voice sounds when its tired, I’d take
tired anytime! Oofah! He sings this song so incredibly handsomely! I would have to tell you that his “read” of this one makes it one of the many favorites on this two CD set. It’s incredibly lovely. Such a great, great tune. And personally, I enjoy the way Leo sings it – especially the word “home” in the first line of the chorus – so resonant. Gives me that “chill factor”, this one!!
BEFORE I CRUSH – This is only a rough guide vocal ‘template” I am told – but oh, man! What a winning song (again)! I like the minor into major back into minor key signatures. And, Leo has to use quite a vocal range to pull this one off successfully. And he does that – quite well!! Its yet another great job. KUDOS, yet one more time.
DIRT TRACK – This one is a personal fave of Leo's, and it's understandable, why. There's a cool story behind the lyrics about a school friend of his telling him a "bogus" story about something he saw on the "Dirt Track" – sort of a spooky thing like a ghost, see......it’s a GREAT song and the story is really cool – It’s one of those songs that, melodically, makes you feel good – and just like reading a good, scary novel – hearing the story is spine tingling. I like how L uses “the weekend” repeatedly to describe time going by – really cool song. I like this one A LOT! I like the guitar work – good chords, but NOT overwhelming. I’ll just say it again – it always just blows me away when someone writes a song like this – it takes such a talent. I think the vocal on this song is quite good and the vocal inflections are so much fun to listen to. BTW, what WAS down there on the dirt track?
We all want to know........
DIRTY LAUNDRY – One word really captures this one....BRILLIANT! I find this an absolute fave! I say that without hesitation. I’d like to try this one myself. What a great concept for a tune. I like the song and I like the whole IDEA of the song. It’s deep and philosophical – just excellent.
I really like the funky 7th chord played at the beginning and the way Leo has to deliver such “quickly timed” lyrics –well, it makes for a nice dynamic, this. If he were to slow it down just a smidge it would be a powerful “blues” tune. I wouldn’t suggest slowing it much (maybe just a zinch!) because you want to keep that crispness to the lyrics, but.......with the guitar a bit slower, it would sound even more “blues-y” than it already does.
Lyrically, I like the phrase “
it has become a part of them ” that he has repeated from time to time. And “
what is dirty laundry to you and me is the fabric of their lives .” I like the play on words here. Cleverly worded. I suppose I just like the entire concept of this song. Excellent job, Leo!
YOU’RE MY BEST EVERYTHING – One more really exciting tune – I love the lyrics, though I can’t sing them yet!
There are some incredibly complex words used to create this lyric...it's so much fun to listen to. Leo does such a great job with it. It’s just very nice, overall. Maybe some backing oooos and aaahs in places would be great, too. I really like the song, overall. Again, it truly fits Leo's voice so nicely. I don’t know how he does it! He is
SO GIFTED with his composing, arranging and vocal and keyboard execution of each song, whether a cover or an original. WOW!
AND SO IT GOES!!! – An awesome tune. Leo put this one on the tape just for me, because of my love for all things Billy Joel. I can hear his English accent a bit more throughout this song, and I LOVE that. Leo really does this one quite nicely.
Then, of course, there’s
HIJACKED . It’s a really exciting concept. I especially like the line “
my sister’s wearin’ Jesus…she comes and goes as she pleases .” And…I’m partial to how he sings “
radio-oh-oh ” and
Bo-oh-oyz !”
Clever lyrics by gifted lyricist, Antony Edwards.
GOOD WORK, ANT! EXCELLENT!!! (Antony has written other of Leo's lyrics, and continues writing up a storm these days, from what I understand. He has a really good knack for writing - Antony recently sent me a song lyric he wrote that was excellent....gets his inspiration from all sorts of places - this one from a billboard, I think he told me - some sort of advertisement, anyway.
GREAT JOB WITH THESE LYRICS, ANT. Hijacked is sung expertly – nice use of the vocal fry…and the melody is awesome. A truly winning combo and of course the guitar solo is well executed and strategically placed perfectly within the song.
Thanks to Leo for sending me this compilation representing his recordings and style, to date. I'm sure I've only scratched the surface, but must say, in closing, we have a truly talented young man amongst us. It's good, solid music, and between the awesome voice and the excellent piano skills, I just don't see how Leo can help but be a HUGE success. BRAVO, L. Great Work.