Blog archives for April, 2010

Inspired by the cosmopolitan sights and sounds of Europe’s old cities.

Saturday, May 1st, 2010  at 8 PM
Wine Unwind: NW 11th & Lovejoy, Portland
Wendy Goodwin & Dave Iula
www.wineunwind.com
503.946.8482 for more information.

This photo, taken of the Kleines Cafe in Vienna, Austria on one of our European jaunts has been a visual reminder for me over the years of the type of music I want to create.  Romantic…nostalgic…cosmopolitan…and good!  As a lover of musical styles ranging from Renaissance to Hip-Hop, I’ve had to learn by trial and error that just because I can play something doesn’t mean I should.

Not that I’ve ever attempted to rap in public… but even within the jazz, folk and classical genres, there are things that ring true and others that I must leave to another artist to perform.  2010 in particular has been a year of really vetting what I want to play, sing and say as an artist right now. 

This upcoming evening at Wine Unwind is going to reflect that.  Right now I am drawn to music that one might hear on a street corner in one of Europe’s big old cities… or in a cafe or a small concert venue.  I’m connecting more with beautiful melodies, romantic and witty words.  I want to play and sing Jazz—an American invention true but with that sense of romance that I associate with Vienna. 

I’m trying really hard too to make every single performance a total investment.  Life is busy and time is precious.  When someone takes the time out of their busy lives to listen to my music I want to brighten their lives just a little.  The only way to do that is by being really authentic and giving every song my best.

What a lovely time I had performing tonight at a benefit for Newberg’s Faith in Action organization! We did a 30 minute set that was a mixture of Celtic, Scottish, Jazz, Classical and original music.  It was exciting to be able to share a brand new song—so new that I don’t have a title.  I recorded the concert on my minidisc player and will hopefully post excerpts later this week.

Lyrics to the new song as follows-

Every day it seems another tragedy
Another war, another casualty.
Another one has fallen to disease
Another case of selfishness and greed.

Too many too much to take in.
Does the right side ever win?
Does it even matter if I try?
These are the questions I hide.

It’s not very easy to know what to do
But I’m gonna spend some time with you.
It’s not very easy to know what to say
But I’m gonna give my love away.

You give much more than you probably should.
And sometimes you feel misunderstood.
You wonder if it matters how hard you try.
Well I’m still standing by your side.

(chorus)

Is it too late to stand my ground?
Is it too late to try?
Is it too late to turn this thing around?

***

Writing this song has helped me remember that each of us has influence in our community to make the world a better place by reaching out to those around us.  Even if it doesn’t feel like much in the face of so many problems in the world…those little things add up.