“FRAIL GESTURE” ( the E.E. Cummings project )
As a long time fan of his work, Julia selected 8 of her favourite poems by E.E. Cummings and set them to music. The inspiration for the project began over 12 years ago when the first 5 songs were written. Over the years, Julia’s ideas continued to evolve and she composed music for 3 more of his poems.
The chosen poems celebrate love and life as well as the joy and delight that can be found in gentle, quiet gestures and moments of beauty. Many of the songs were composed during walks along the majestic shores of Lake Huron in Kincardine, Ontario.
In 2013, Julia formally revisited the work and contacted Andrew Downing to arrange the songs for flute (Tristan Durie), clarinet (Peter Lutek), violin (Anna Atkinson), cello (Andrew Downing), piano (Michael Davidson) and percussion (Debashis Sinha) with Julia singing the melodies.
Listen to excerpts from Frail Gesture:
- somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyondsomewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond
- maggie and milly and molly and maymaggie and milly and molly and may
- the first of all my dreams was ofthe first of all my dreams was of
- i carry your heart with me(i carry it ini carry your heart with me(i carry it in
- may my heart always be open to littlemay my heart always be open to little
- anyone lived in a pretty how townanyone lived in a pretty how town
- i love you much (most beautiful darling)i love you much (most beautiful darling)
- i will wade out/till my thighs are steeped in burning flowersi will wade out/till my thighs are steeped in burning flowers
Download via iTunes or order the CD from Indiepool.com
“IMPRINT” is a selection of jazz and pop standards inspired by the impact that memories can have in our lives. The intent was to create a reflective and introspective mood so that emphasis could be placed on the message of the stories suggested by the songs.
“I became very interested in what events leave a lasting impression on us and the reasons we choose to remember them. I was struck by how vividly my aging parents could retell stories from the past and how these chosen memories seemed to nourish them and offer comfort, joy and hope. As I took stock of my own memories, the content of these songs expressed things I’ve observed, learned and appreciated through the experiences and relationships that have shaped me in my life so far.” Jordan O’Connor arranged the songs for bass (Jordan Connor), piano(Craig Harley) and voice.
Listen to excerpts from Imprint:
- The Windmills of Your MindThe Windmills of Your Mind
- DowntownDowntown
- Weaver of DreamsWeaver of Dreams
- I’ve Grown Accustomed to His FaceI’ve Grown Accustomed to His Face
- Tell It Like It IsTell It Like It Is
- ‘Round Midnight‘Round Midnight
- It Never Entered My MindIt Never Entered My Mind
- Lover ManLover Man
- Anyone Can WhistleAnyone Can Whistle
- Bein’ GreenBein’ Green
- DesperadoDesperado
- At LastAt Last
- I Can See Clearly NowI Can See Clearly Now
- Nature BoyNature Boy
- Not A Day Goes ByNot A Day Goes By
Download via iTunes or order the CD from Indiepool.com
Jordan O’Connor was producer on both projects. Recordings were done at Number 9 Audio Group in Toronto.