1) Girlbros. by Wendy & Lisa- This album deals with the death of Wendy Melvoin's brother Jonathan and came out around the same time that our family lost Cousin Dusty. Dusty and I were only a few months apart in age and his death really screwed with my views on my own mortality. This album pulled, despite being very somber, pulled me out of my funk and helped me realize 1) I am not alone in my grief and 2) despite moments of sadness there is light and positivity that can be found. During "I Will", Wendy sings "I'll keep the light on and let it fly until I'm gone". A wonderful decleration.
And boy are there other moments to be found on this album. From confessions of love (If I Were Brave) to confessions of complicated love (Love & Trouble) to a trippy dippy Disney cover (I've Got No Strings), Girlbros runs through a lot of emotional and musical terrain and we the listeners are better for it.
2) Seal II by Seal- Cha know, as young as I am, I have been surrounded by a lot of death. I've lost four close friend to AIDS over the years and this is the album I always return to for healing. Life anthems "Bring it On" and "I'm Alive" seem to always lift me out of my funks, while "Prayer for the Dying" and "Don't Cry" help me deal with it all. And then there is Joni Mitchell, sigh, "If I Could" I would never stop listening to this song. Interesting that my fav songs on this album are co-written by Wendy & Lisa. An apparent pattern will be forming shortly. LOL
3) The Hardline According To Terrence Trent Darby By TTD- My first album purchase and from that a lip-synching legend was born. Somewhere out there is a video of me and friends lip-synching to Wishing Well. The year was 1987. I will pay to have that video burned.
4) Sign O The Times by Prince- This was the first time I noticed the "wendy & lisa" moniker. In fact, it was probably the first time I ever paid attention to linear notes. It lead me to search throw the other Revolution albums for those two names to find out what their contributions to Prince's music was and it eventually lead me to purchase my first W&L album, Fruit At The Bottom. To this day, I am not sure why my interest was peaked. Did I remember the Computer Blue intro? Was I just bored and looking for something to do? I guess I will never know. BTW: This is not my fav Prince album, that would be Lovesexy but it is his most diverse and the one that made me take notice of those two awesomely talented musical chicks.
5) Fruit At The Bottom by Wendy & Lisa- Confession time, this was my first Wendy & Lisa album purchase (not their debut) and I only bought it because it was on sale at Musicland for $3.99. This was around the same time I discovered their name on Prince's SOTT album. I think it was the summer of 90.
6) Lifes Too Good by The Sugarcubes- I borrowed this from a girl named Cody. I think she was David Smartt's girlfriend at the time. Anyone remember who I am thinking of? It was the first time I realized music could be quirky yet "pop".
7) Bitter by Meshell Ndegeocello Meshell goes blue. With Lisa Coleman's piano playing. :sigh: Yes, yes it's *that* Lisa (from Wendy & Lisa). Boy oh boy, this is one of the most beautiful music experiences ever. Period. Haunting, emotional and yet it ends on an optimistic note. For anyone who has ever loved and fallen out of love, it's a must. Did I mention how beautiful Lisa Coleman's piano playing is on this album? Wow!! The piano is rarely given this type of opportunity to shine in pop music. I think Bruce Hornsby is the major exception. For Meshell to allow Lisa's piano playing to be an equal emotional narrative to her own vocals is daring. She took some hits for it from some music critics but for those who appreciate spectrums in their music..it's a huge payoff.
8) The Bends by Radiohead Reminds me of the last days of my rebellious youth.
9) Vaspertine by Bjork Sounds of intimacy.
10) Silk & Steel by FiveStar I've always been a strange duck. While everyone was into New Edition and The Jets, somehow I got hooked on their English counterparts. Cheese cheese cheese...but I love em. "If I say yes...if I say yes. Say yes!". LOL.
Though it's absolutely none of my business I've always been curious about a couple of things from way back when...
First, when working with Prince in the 80's was there ever any talk about doing a "Wendy & Lisa" album with him on Paisley Park Records? Secondly, did you secure a record contract with Columbia Records before or after parting ways with Prince? I was always curious as to your ambitions as artists while working with Prince. Thanx so much! :-)
March 15th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Island_Discs
What would be your Desert Island Discs?
I seem to recall Dusty Springfield included "Waterfall" in her list, and Joan Armatrading took her comic collection with her! LOL!
love
G
March 15th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Island_Discs
What would be your Desert Island Discs?
I seem to recall Dusty Springfield included "Waterfall" in her list, and Joan Armatrading took her comic collection with her!
love
The newly verified G
March 17th, 2009 at 11:17 am
I am going to cheat here and direct folks to a blog post I made over at facebook (sue me but it answers the question:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/note.php?note_id=68774206640
March 17th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
ehh sos.....can't seem to get to that page....any help ?
March 17th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
here's my top ten:
1) Girlbros. by Wendy & Lisa-
This album deals with the death of Wendy Melvoin's brother Jonathan and came out around the same time that our family lost Cousin Dusty. Dusty and I were only a few months apart in age and his death really screwed with my views on my own mortality. This album pulled, despite being very somber, pulled me out of my funk and helped me realize 1) I am not alone in my grief and 2) despite moments of sadness there is light and positivity that can be found. During "I Will", Wendy sings "I'll keep the light on and let it fly until I'm gone". A wonderful decleration.
And boy are there other moments to be found on this album. From confessions of love (If I Were Brave) to confessions of complicated love (Love & Trouble) to a trippy dippy Disney cover (I've Got No Strings), Girlbros runs through a lot of emotional and musical terrain and we the listeners are better for it.
2) Seal II by Seal-
Cha know, as young as I am, I have been surrounded by a lot of death. I've lost four close friend to AIDS over the years and this is the album I always return to for healing. Life anthems "Bring it On" and "I'm Alive" seem to always lift me out of my funks, while "Prayer for the Dying" and "Don't Cry" help me deal with it all. And then there is Joni Mitchell, sigh, "If I Could" I would never stop listening to this song. Interesting that my fav songs on this album are co-written by Wendy & Lisa. An apparent pattern will be forming shortly. LOL
3) The Hardline According To Terrence Trent Darby By TTD-
My first album purchase and from that a lip-synching legend was born. Somewhere out there is a video of me and friends lip-synching to Wishing Well. The year was 1987. I will pay to have that video burned.
4) Sign O The Times by Prince-
This was the first time I noticed the "wendy & lisa" moniker. In fact, it was probably the first time I ever paid attention to linear notes. It lead me to search throw the other Revolution albums for those two names to find out what their contributions to Prince's music was and it eventually lead me to purchase my first W&L album, Fruit At The Bottom. To this day, I am not sure why my interest was peaked. Did I remember the Computer Blue intro? Was I just bored and looking for something to do? I guess I will never know. BTW: This is not my fav Prince album, that would be Lovesexy but it is his most diverse and the one that made me take notice of those two awesomely talented musical chicks.
5) Fruit At The Bottom by Wendy & Lisa-
Confession time, this was my first Wendy & Lisa album purchase (not their debut) and I only bought it because it was on sale at Musicland for $3.99. This was around the same time I discovered their name on Prince's SOTT album. I think it was the summer of 90.
6) Lifes Too Good by The Sugarcubes-
I borrowed this from a girl named Cody. I think she was David Smartt's girlfriend at the time. Anyone remember who I am thinking of? It was the first time I realized music could be quirky yet "pop".
7) Bitter by Meshell Ndegeocello
Meshell goes blue. With Lisa Coleman's piano playing. :sigh: Yes, yes it's *that* Lisa (from Wendy & Lisa). Boy oh boy, this is one of the most beautiful music experiences ever. Period. Haunting, emotional and yet it ends on an optimistic note. For anyone who has ever loved and fallen out of love, it's a must. Did I mention how beautiful Lisa Coleman's piano playing is on this album? Wow!! The piano is rarely given this type of opportunity to shine in pop music. I think Bruce Hornsby is the major exception. For Meshell to allow Lisa's piano playing to be an equal emotional narrative to her own vocals is daring. She took some hits for it from some music critics but for those who appreciate spectrums in their music..it's a huge payoff.
8) The Bends by Radiohead
Reminds me of the last days of my rebellious youth.
9) Vaspertine by Bjork
Sounds of intimacy.
10) Silk & Steel by FiveStar
I've always been a strange duck. While everyone was into New Edition and The Jets, somehow I got hooked on their English counterparts. Cheese cheese cheese...but I love em. "If I say yes...if I say yes. Say yes!". LOL.
March 23rd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Though it's absolutely none of my business I've always been curious about a couple of things from way back when...
First, when working with Prince in the 80's was there ever any talk about doing a "Wendy & Lisa" album with him on Paisley Park Records? Secondly, did you secure a record contract with Columbia Records before or after parting ways with Prince? I was always curious as to your ambitions as artists while working with Prince. Thanx so much! :-)