“An Unfinished Life” ... a Painting of the World

“An Unfinished Life” soundtrack review Amazon.com, Deborah Lurie, composer

Gorgeous ... a Painting of the World as we know it

I absolutely LOVE this soundtrack, and can listen to it all night long. Changes something deep inside. Deborah Lurie is one of a very small handful of female soundtrack composers and I consider "An Unfinished Life" to be one of the highest forms of this art.

I cannot find words to express what she has brought forth and given birth to, but this soundtrack gives the film story, our story, shape and form and brings all the words of forgiveness and vitality, longing and life into musical form. She has created and brought to earth the Angels on High... a Painting of the World, as we know it.

Listening to this score, to this song, to this cadence and dance of eternal emotion. God moves us in mysterious ways and Laurie has moved us around and round, up and down. Finally I want to live.

Gloria Hallelujah, Amen.

---

http://www.ascap.com/playback/2004/summer/new-members.html

Deborah Lurie

Early in her musical life composer Deborah Lurie discovered she had a condition called synesthesia, whereby the sound of a note causes her to visualize a certain color. She might be able to tell you what note coincides with green, for she is certain to see much more of that color these days – in the form of money. Lurie recently completed her first studio feature film score for the MGM teen comedy/adventure Sleepover, directed by Joe Nussbaum.

Shortly after graduation from the USC School of Music with the composition department award, Deborah scored Nussbaum's award winning short film George Lucas In Love. In the following years, Deborah scored many independent films and composed additional music for Disney's animated series Hercules, Touchstone's Bubble Boy and Miramax's View From the Top and My Baby's Daddy. Recent original film scores include Whirlygirl (directed by Dances With Wolves producer Jim Wilson) and the upcoming Sony Classics film Imaginary Heroes starring Sigourney Weaver and Jeff Daniels, in which she incorporated a theme by X2 composer John Ottman. In addition to film music, Deborah has worked extensively in rock and pop music as an arranger and producer. She has written string arrangements for rock albums including Hoobastank's 2004 chart topper The Reason. She has also produced, arranged, and composed additional music for the live cabaret show The Pussycat Dolls at The Roxy Theater, which featured guest stars Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, and Christina Applegate, among others.

Sandi... "wanting to hear more"

your music
Tue, Nov 27, 2007 at 9:57 AM
sandi sylver
To: Catherine Todd

oh catherine... how lovely... you've left me wanting to hear more... i hope you never stop playing... i hope you can record more (can you do this with your own software?)... it is so delicate / warm / intriquing / loveswept / lovelorn.... thanks for sending it.
xoxoxoxxo




Catherine Todd Tue, Nov 27, 2007 at 9:49 PM
To: sandi sylver
Dear Sandi,

You said, after listening to the little 4 minute mp3 piano piece:

"... it is so delicate / warm / intriguing / loveswept / lovelorn.... thanks for sending it."

What a wonderful thing to say; you used the PERFECT words! "loveswept / lovelorn"

THANK YOU for giving me very much encouragement and inspiration to do MORE! Alright, I will climb over my fear and "do it again." I even bought a very good portable microphone recommended by Ackerman's engineer, Corin, to take with me to Guatemala (and elsewhere) if I can find a piano, a long extension cord and a plug.

I'll send you #3 at around 7 min. separately, as it isn't too large to email. #2 is almost 15 min. practice session, and is too large to send. Will have to make you a CD when I can. #1 that you rec'd is 4:33 min.

These three little songs are the only "real" recordings I've ever done, outside of a bunch of cr*** cassettes that I've recorded over the years right next to the piano that sound so bad I never understood why people always said they liked the music so much. It must be great, in some ways, to look back on a lifetime of recording sessions, and have a "body of work" to show, although listening to my old cassettes (poor quality though they may be) is interesting, as I really like the new stuff better. It has much more depth and resonance, it seems. I am very impressed with these three little songs myself. Talk about "healing one's self." I leave it on all night long if I need to, when I'm all broken up inside. In the morning, the waves of the music have washed over me again and again and everything feels "put back in place." Now the trick is to learn how to do this in the daytime in the midst of our everyday, and sometimes chaotic, life. To "live in a state of harmony" as I can live dancing across the keys. That would be a great trick, wouldn't it?

The "Imaginary Road Studios (IRS)" sessions in VT (Will Ackerman's studio since he sold Windham Hill) were ALL "practice" sessions, really, since I hadn't played a real piano in a couple of years. I couldn't believe it had been that long... the time just flew by so swiftly, but there I was. Somehow found myself in that rented car driving further and further up North. Only 3.5 hours from NYC and a wonderful ride, only had to stop once to rest my back and had a great time. It was great, one of the best weekends of my life and I can't wait to go back in the Spring. I will have to have practiced quite a bit in the meantime so I will actually have something "new or better" or composed. Gives me something and a timeline to work towards. "Something to look forward to," which has been denied to me for so many years. Well, I'm in "control" now of my time and my finances, as God has granted me some financial freedom in the meantime while I wait for all these properties to sell. God and Les, that is, since he isn't fighting me over any of the profit that comes after a sale, no matter how little (or much) that happens to be. That's a huge change from before. So, on down the many roads ahead of me I can go. What a difference all this makes. Even though it's still so "up and down" as before, it's beginning to be more "up" than it has been in years. What a relief.



But back to the recording studio and the "3 little pieces": I used to always be able to play the piano 1.5 hrs straight, I would just sit down and the waterfall would just "pour out." 90 minutes later "the well would go dry" but it was "enough." Just like turning on and off a fountain at a well gushing out of the rocks at Lourdes, or the fountain in the center of town in a little dry dusty town in Italy somewhere. It was the "magic fountain" that was always there when I need it most. Then that would be it, the music would end all by itself, the valve would shut off... that vein of water in the golden well would temporarily go dry.

I couldn't play two days in a row; had to wait about three before the music would turn on again. This time the most I could do was 15 minutes! But I was very, very shy about playing and completely freaking out to tell you the truth. Corin, the sound engineer / producer was great, and we spent most of the time talking about recording, the equipment, what goes into making a CD, how to find just the right sound or "part" of a take, how to keep track of the various parts of the different takes so you know what sections to keep, etc. I decided that I would use the time as a "recording workshop" weekend and it worked out just great.

So, in spite of having been "pianoless" for the first time in my life, really, all because of living with Les, as usual some good came of it since I was driven (literally) to record what was left of my music before it all disappeared. So finally I bit the bullet, coughed up the money, and jumped on my high horse of fear and went to do my thing, in public, in front of an experienced "music person" and came home with a priceless souvenir that no one can take away.

What price we pay for living the wrong kind of life, though, since living with Les has been such a double edged sword. Good in so many ways, and awful in the rest. I always think of what you said about "letting Larry set your worth" and taking his actions personally," or something to that effect, and this new attitude of mine has really made a great change in my home (or lack of) life. But being dependent in my codependent way has been WORSE than being hooked on drugs or alcohol, since it has ultimately cost me everything that "meant" something to me. Or at least that is how it feels right now, as I write from my little "summer cottage" where Les is, in fact, paying the bills so that I CAN go up to VT (as I come up with $8, 000.00 per month for the rest of the bills). But he cooked dinner like he always does and unstuck the toilet and will go with me to the doctor and dentist if I need to and am scared to.

But then I say "I must have gotten something necessary out of it" like Job lost in the desert (was it Job in the desert? I'm not talking about the 40 days of Jesus out there). My past isolation has felt like developing MS (multiple sclerosis) yet those people say that they have found a kind of peace that not being able to do anything else but "to find God" can bring.

Anyway, all these days are past and gone, or at least about to change, I hope. I hope that is what this letter is all about.

I wish I wouldn't having to keep writing about this same stupid scenario, but I suppose this will change as I make the necessary changes. I am surrounded in every room of this little tiny house with boxes and racks and photographs of my "old lives;" there are so many of them - and the need to release them and finally give them up. Give them away, find them new homes where they can all be appreciated by someone in the NOW. not living on empty dreams of the past gone by. Even if the past did come back to haunt me, those happiest days of my life were also fraught with dangers and loneliness and fears. Those parts I always conveniently "forget about," it seems. So conveniently.

Once I give up or reforge new experiences with the important people (you, for example) and things and events and places in my life, then I can live in the present and face the future "without fear or tinted glasses," I guess. At least that's what I keep hearing and reading about. So be it, I really have no other choice. Either Les was put here just to destroy every dream I ever had and ruin my life, or he helped destroy things as I was forced to learn to do things in an even better way. His destruction of my 100 acre development led me to the happiest years of my life in Paris, and his destroying my work and my dream on the farm led me to Lake Atitlan, NYC and Vermont, where I recorded these few songs. So I suppose I should thank him for that.

What is it that Angelina Jolie has tattooed on her back? "That which nourishes me destroys me." I think I am beginning to understand what this might mean.

I am interested to see "what life awaits" me when I finally let go of everything, and throw myself on the mercy of "detachment and abandonment." We'll see, every step of the way.

I was able to play in Pana a few times on the old beat up upright in the Circus Bar in Panajachel; the only piano I know of around there. The only other time was on the dinky electronic keyboard a year ago in March when Dorothy died and I was still over there. That music is "moving," but very, very different due to the electronica. This time on a real acoustic grand it felt and sounded "like me" for the first time in years.

Your description of the music fits PERFECTLY:

"it is so delicate/warm/intriguing/loveswept/lovelorn..."

"oh catherine... how lovely... you've left me wanting to hear more... i hope you never stop playing."

I have played my whole life; I remember sitting at the piano playing like this when I was all of ten years old. I don't think I could stop, really, if I tried. But your encouragement means that TOMORROW I will drive in to Durham a little bit early before I meet an old friend who is a musician and go to the piano store, and test out the electronic keyboards so I finally have one to take back to Pana with me. I will do it for sure! Scared to test out a keyboard in front of the salesman, but I will have to since I have so many questions I might ask. So...

THANK YOU AGAIN. YOUR OPINION MEANS SO MUCH! NOW I WILL GIVE IT A TRY.

I will make some "real" CD's in Pana where the English bookstore owner has a CD printer so he can print beautiful "cover art" on it. I will also try to burn one from here and send it before I leave if I can (and remember). Remind me if need be.

Your opinion (and three other musicians that I dared send it to) is just what I needed to have the courage to go ahead and send it out to my email list, maybe along with an electronic Christmas Card. I hope they like it as much as you . Even I have been listening to it quite a bit.

I miss playing a real acoustic piano so much (but I have found a few other substitutes, though not as grand). I had TWO pianos in the other house, but could never get to them since I could never build one separate music room for the piano; we could "never afford it." But I could build 5 houses that were used as storage sheds, not living space; and seeing the pianos and the piano bench covered with boxes and junk every day so that I couldn't even get close to either one of them was so incredibly depressing, it just broke my heart. The best thing I did was to get rid of them: sold the $12,000 baby grand that was my pride and joy to someone at Duke Divinity School for $1, 500.00 just so it would have a good home. Now it's gone and I HAVE to find another way to get to play my music, and to "get the music out." It's healing music for sure, as I can't live (or at least "not well") without those vibrational tones running up and down my body, through my legs and arms. It really was the only "meditation" that I knew. I could play for an hour and a half, swirling through the universe, nature, drought and streams... dipping my finger and toe into that Great Silver Stream, and finally diving in deep dark and sound...

Les taking that away from me every single place I went just broke my heart, over and over, and my spirit as well. Inch by inch, he would cover that which meant the most to me until I couldn't even get physical access to them. Then I would get all the guys on the crew to move it somewhere else and start over, and then Les would start his thing all over again. Instead of me just moving OUT, and living ALONE, I would start yet another house on a lot next door, and the same thing would happen again. I ended up with 5 beautiful small houses, but not a one that had a music room.

I really blew it this time. I don't know why I stayed so long, but I was taking care of Dorothy and just like having young children, I really didn't feel like I could leave as long as she was there. It was sad losing her at around age 84, but it really did "set me free" in more ways than one. I had actually "resigned" in writing and left for Guatemala three weeks before she died. You can imagine how guilty I felt when that happened; "if only I had stayed." But the retired registered nurse that was hired after I left (magically Les could finally "afford it" once I was going to go and he HAD to pay someone else) was very experienced in death and dying, and when Dorothy's cancer came back, hospice and the nurse all said "it won't be long now."

No one guessed that this would mean in less than three weeks from we found out her cancer had come back, and there was no more treating it. In fact, I think it was really about three days between when Dorothy stopped eating; refusing food and most water, and the nurse made that statement. She died peacefully in her sleep and Les found her around 2:00 a.m. "Something had woken him up."

Les called me 4 hours later at 6:00 a.m. in Guatemala, and I had been up most of the night with one of the worst nights of my life. I asked him why he didn't call earlier, and he said he "didn't want to disturb me," and I said "Well, I was disturbed all night anyway, I must have 'known'" and he said "Yeah, he thought about that later as I so often just "know" things anyway. But either way she was gone. Then Les said there "wasn't enough money for a plane ticket for me to return for the funeral" (it was $1, 200.00 w/ no bereavement fares given by the airlines on that day) but there was money for him to buy an $8,000.00 casket to bury her in. So everyone was at the funeral except the one that took care of her for almost four years every day.

Why am I telling this story? For "historical accuracy," perhaps? What a bunch of b.s. I can't wait to leave! Hah! End of these stories, I hope and pray. I have a lovely photo of Dorothy and me around her final Christmas which I'll also try to find and send to you. I guess because it's almost Christmas again I always think of her when I see this picture. I also will send you the electronic music, the first group of little songs I ever "composed" (meaning burst out on their own) on the $99.00 electronic keyboard for the laptop. I did one more later that summer and sent it to my son, when I was still trying so hard to "heal that relationship," until someone (many "ones") pointed out that it had to come from BOTH sides, not just one. But anyway, they have a few nice parts. I've only sent them to two or three people, so you opinion will be valuable once again.

I'm going to try and get a better keyboard to take back with me and see what I can come up with. I know this "electronica" music is just fascinating, and there's lots that you can do with it, so even if I miss my vibrational acoustics, maybe I can find them somewhere else. Inside a plastic keyboard and a laptop? Hmmmm. Well, we'll see.

Thanks so much for writing. I'm going to actually buy my return ticket to Lake Atitlan (Panajachel) in the next few days. I'm "scared" to go back for some reason; I guess because I am getting closer and closer to leaving here and living there full time, with at present "no visible means of support."

Well, that's been a concern at other times in my life, but I wasn't sick all the time way back then, but this time around I am SURE that I will do everything in my power (and in God and my Guardians power as well) to HEAL myself: body, mind and soul. I really think this can happen, from what all the people in my life are telling me right now, and what better place than my beautiful walled garden within walking distance of the lake to do it in? Plus I can AFFORD to live down there with everything I want for a year at least. "A year" goes by so quickly nowadays, but it gives me a bit of time to finish selling ("letting go") of everything here so as to be open to whatever comes next.

Oh, My.

What a long email this has turned out to be. I hope you have time to read it. If not, thanks again for giving me the time and space and most of all INSPIRATION to write all this down. It's turning into quite a "journal."

I'll send more music and photos by separate emails.

Love, and Happy Holidays, and wish I were there to see some of your Holiday Mrs. Santa Claus shows. They Sound Great!

Love, as always, Katie

--
*** Traveling:

"Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board..." ~ Zora Neale Hurston

"A child on a farm sees a plane fly overhead and dreams of a faraway place. A traveler on a plane sees the farmhouse and dreams of home." ~ Carl Burns

Words to live by: "Best of all is to preserve everything in a pure, still heart, and let there be for every pulse a thanksgiving, and for every breath a song." ~ Konrad von Gesner

Catherine Todd
3007 Bent Tree Dr. Oxford NC 27565
H 919.693.0853 U.S. cell 919.605.0727

"Music from DNA"

Track 01 C.Todd Acoustic Piano mp3
3 messages
Catherine Todd Sun, Nov 25, 2007 at 1:11 PM
To: Susan Alexander
Dear Susan,

I have yet to send out this acoustic piano piece to anyone; still embarrassed since I hadn't played in over two years, but thought you of all people were someone I should send it to. Let me know what you think. Actually, I did give it to two other musician friends of mine who liked the pieces (there's actually three) so I'm not quite as timid as I normally would be, but I haven't and don't promote any music I do.

I never play for money and rarely play in public, just when I have to if I don't have a piano around. Then I go to a hotel or piano store... people seem to really like it, and I never could really "hear" it until these little recordings up in VT at Ackerman's Imaginary Road Studios. Pretty simple but nice. What DNA does this match? :) smile

I forgot to tell you: Will Ackerman hates the name "New Age" too, and never wanted it associated with HIS music! But of course, he "set the standard," so there you have it. He started out as a carpenter and builder, and his business card says "Musician, Carpenter." Hah! These skills seem to go along with computer programming also, so there's definitely "something" going on, even if I don't know what it is.

GREAT talking with you today. Gave me lots of inspiration, hope and good cheer!

Your friend in Art & Music, and add "Science" in there too...

Catherine Todd

--
*** Traveling:

"Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board..." ~ Zora Neale Hurston

"A child on a farm sees a plane fly overhead and dreams of a faraway place. A traveler on a plane sees the farmhouse and dreams of home." ~ Carl Burns

Words to live by: "Best of all is to preserve everything in a pure, still heart, and let there be for every pulse a thanksgiving, and for every breath a song." ~ Konrad von Gesner

Catherine Todd
3007 Bent Tree Dr. Oxford NC 27565
H 919.693.0853 U.S. cell 919.605.0727
Track 01 Catherine Todd.mp3
6406K
susan Alexander Sun, Nov 25, 2007 at 1:57 PM
To: Catherine Todd
Catherine,

These are beautiful!!!!! Exquisite, and I don't mean sort of.
Please, please consider sharing them with people as much as you can.
You are pure music here. Do you know the music of Liz Story? You
are kindred sisters, and altho she is a professional, you have the
gift as well - you both hear sounds the same way. (Her best, I
think, is "The Gift," a Xmas album). Please record more, send more,
play more. It's truly wonderful, and I have heard a LOT of people
play music. If there's one thing I know, it's quality and
sensitivity. You have an unusual voice, disguised as simplicity.
Can't say more - but I want more! Thank you for this. I'm going to
listen again and again.

Blessings and energy - Susan
PS - here's the article on the elements. If you can't open it, I'll
send a hard copy.




On Nov 25, 2007, at 10:11 AM, Catherine Todd wrote:

>



noname
1357K
Catherine Todd Sun, Nov 25, 2007 at 8:14 PM
To: susan Alexander
8:00 pm Dear Susan,

I thought I sent this other one, guess I didn't! Now I see you've written more, but I'll send this one anyway. I'll send you the 15 min. piece on CD when I send you the CD copies. So happy you like the song. I can't believe it; here a "real musician" is giving me hope and inspiration and courage to carry on! I also see that you've sent the mp3 ; it got buried in the rest of the email so next time, send it separately if you can. Can't wait to hear it!

Your friend, Catherine


Dear Susan (original response earlier this afternoon)

"These are beautiful!!!!! Exquisite, and I don't mean sort of.
Please, please consider sharing them with people as much as you can.
You are pure music here. "

Oh My God. Wow! I am so glad we met! I have a feeling that this is somehow going to "change my life." I am so happy I sent you the mp3. When I send back the transferred DNA Cd's I'll include one of the three little songs I did up in VT. One is just a 15 min. "lost in time and place" bit, really just warming up, but it's wonderful to listen to (at least for me, and apparently for you and others, too). It's too big to email, but I'll put them on CD. I've also got a few songs from the electronic keyboard but they don't sound much like anything to me, especially in light of a real grand piano. But who knows? We will see what you think.

You can use the music and promote it if you just include my name. I was in NYC back in the late '60's and early '70's (Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Bob Dylan days) and I worked at the Gaslight in the Village w/ a good friend of mine, Sandi Sylver (she's a storyteller / songstress now, living outside of Chicago). Then of course we had the Fillmore, Neil Young and the Eagles living around the Bay Area when I was at Foothill College and living up in Skylonda / Woodside in the early to mid '70's. As you might imagine, all that "rock 'n rollin" turned me away from performers and performances ever since. But this music deserves to be heard and to be shared, since you are the third person I have dared to send it to, and everyone says the same thing. In fact, I've played all over the world whenever I find a piano somewhere, and no matter what the language or the culture, people always come up and say "What is the name of that song? I heard it when I was a child!"

Of course, it has no name; it's just "sticking one's toe or finger into the Silver Stream," and sometimes being able to dive in and under the water falls and drift deep to the bottom and back again, but without a piano I haven't been able to do that for awhile. That was always my meditation before... I could play an hour and a half, and then boom that was it. Door closed, out of the river, out of the waterfall and deep dark pool, dry off and back to "real life." (Allegory, of course). Whenever I'd look up there'd be a whole crowd of people listening to me, and I hadn't really heard a note I played. Just the sensations of the vibrations going up through my arms and my legs on the pedals, and when the "chill factor" set in and the hairs stood up on my arms, I knew I was "home." That's all that this music is / was for me, it was a way to try and find my way home.


For the first time in many years I am effectively "pianoless," which is about like being "homeless" in my own mind. I'm going to test out another M-Audio semi-weighted electronic keyboard, that only weighs 17 lbs, but there's nothing like a real acoustic piano. There is only ONE that I know of in Panajachel ("Pana") where I live at Lake Atitlan, an old beat-up upright that's probably 50 years old, but I go in and play on rainy days so I get some practice time in. Even the Guatemalans seem to like it, despite such difference in musical styles.

Thanks so much for writing! I forgot to include one of my most favorite images right now, which I also use on my Macintosh Desktop: "The Lute Player."

I found this image on Jessee Winchester's website, and wrote to him asking which painting did it come from, and what instrument is it, since a lute seems to be a lot larger, and I never got a response. I did about a song I had written to him, but not about the artwork. Maybe you have an idea?

Talk to you soon... your envelope is in the mailbox so you should have it in a few days. Send my package so it won't take forever to get here (come in a week?), and I'll reimburse you if need be.

Right now, I'm reading " Carl Munck, Archaeocryptography" from "Conversation for Exploration" a talk show hosted by Laura Lee. http://www.lauralee.com/munck.htm

which I came upon from your "articles" list on your website for "Music from DNA." I don't even remember how I came on your site, but am so happy I did! http://www.oursounduniverse.com/articles.html

I will also look up the "Mayan Code" by Barbara Hand Clow. I will have so many new things to do (or things to go "back to" doing) when I get back to Guatemala, I just can hardly believe it! I really can't wait. I hope this coming year I can spend most of my time down there, as long as I can figure out how to make money to pay bills here in the states.

Yours, CT

"Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board..." ~ Zora Neale Hurston


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On Nov 25, 2007, at 10:11 AM, Catherine Todd wrote:

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Add emails to Corin

add other emails to Corin (from main page)

Track 02 & 03 Catherine Todd.mp3 IRS Studios 9-07

10.8.07

To Jim Goodin

I've attached the other two tracks; I can't remember what the difference is between track 2 and 3; # 3 was a practice piece the next day so I would end with SOMETHING more than 5 or 7 minutes to work with, after all that money!

Let me know your favorite parts. Corin told me it is standard procedure to pick out the best parts and work with those (he even showed me the paper files they kept with markings for measures etc. Looked just like when I would write database programs for my clients! Almost exactly the same, so I think I can do this).

I was wondering about how one chooses and uses "the best parts," as I have lots of really crummy recordings (on a $15.00 tape recorder from years past) with some really nice pieces that I wanted to pull together, and this might also help "bring the music back." The fancy parts that I can barely remember and my fingers hesitate for the first time in my life... since I have been "pianoless" for the first time in years! So this could be a really great thing.

Maybe you can add some guitar to these pieces? Feel free if you want to, and send me what you come up with.

Hope these go though and the Internet stays up. You are changing my life, and we haven't even met!
Thank you so much!

Catherine

P.S. Whenever I would be playing somewhere, people would always come up and ask me "Was that a Windham Hill record playing? No - no - no, it "was just me." So I stayed away from performing ever since I quit the Gaslight in the Village so many years ago. Very quickly I found that performing was not for me, and I worked there as a waitress and manager... much happier "behind the scenes." But maybe that should change just not to be so timid about it. I don't want to have to think about Money and Music, but I shouldn't be so afraid of being in front of an audience. Everyone does love it. And now that you've given me this "stamp of approval" I just don't know what to say! Next step, please!

--
*** Traveling:

"A child on a farm sees a plane fly overhead and dreams of a faraway place. A traveler on a plane sees the farmhouse and dreams of home." ~ Carl Burns

Words to live by: "Best of all is to preserve everything in a pure, still heart, and let there be for every pulse a thanksgiving, and for every breath a song." ~ Konrad von Gesner

"The world is made anew each day, for God makes it so. It contains within it all the good and all the evil as before; no more, no less, but the same." ~ Paraphrased from "The Crossing," by Cormac McCarthy

Catherine Todd
3007 Bent Tree Dr. Oxford NC 27565
H 919.693.0853 U.S. cell 919.605.0727

Track 01 Catherine Todd.mp3 IRS Studios 9-07

Track 01 Catherine Todd.mp3 IRS Studios 9-07
3 messages
Catherine Todd Mon, Oct 8, 2007 at 7:59 PM
To: Jim Goodin
Dear Jim,

Here's the first day almost 5 min. at IRS Studios. I realized that, except for an hour or two practice the day before, I had never played a "real " piano in about 2.5 years. The only thing I'd done was that electronic piece I sent you from March over a year ago. This has to change, and it will!

Let me know what you think; thanks for asking. I've been listening to your Celtic CD quite a bit lately. Really enjoy it.

Catherine Todd

Track 01 Catherine Todd.mp3
6406K
Jim Goodin Mon, Oct 8, 2007 at 8:24 PM
To: Catherine Todd
Catherine this is incredible. Sure I can hear the influence of so many particularly the haunt of Windham Hill, Winston and others is there but your feel plus I think the most interesting thing as I just now hear it a second time, is the sense of modulation or key change to my ears. This trakc is very spacial harmony with the openness I love and the ending last minute or so is really interesting harmony. If Will would happen to be interested which he always deny's I think for fear of the past haunting him, if he hears this I can't help but believe he will go ape over what you're doing. Of course in a sense it means nothing other than to know that you've attrated the time to listen of someone that touched us all that know him. I really mean that to both he and you as a very positive sentence. Anyhow feel free to share other trax as you want, this is really great. What are you doing near the end it sounds really open like 5th's but like tension of a cluster at times. I'm happy that I encouraged you to go there to record, will def'ly send Corin a note of praise on the recording. I alos need to be in touch with him as I felt that Daryl and I did a poor job on presenting our project as I've told you. Thanks re Celtic Journey, though it is a bit primitive to me now there is a certain presence in that record that still brings good response. Despite all my other recordings I haven't quite done one like that. Anyhow congrads on what sounds like a marvelous session Catherine.

Best

Jim


[Quoted text hidden]
--
The Acoustic World Guitar of Jim Goodin - http://www.jimgoodinmusic.com
MySpace (solo) - http://www.myspace.com/jimgoodinmusic
Chinapainting -
http://www.chinapaintingmusic.com
Chinapainting on My Space -
http://www.myspace.com/chinapaintingmusic.com
The Jim Goodin label and home for 7 other creative souls - http://www.woodandwiremusic.com
Jim Goodin uses GHS Strings - http://www.ghsstrings.com and Seagull Guitars - http://www.seagullguitars.com , Jim Goodin is published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc. - http://www.melbay.com

Associates and friends on the web -
Daryl Shawn -
http://www.swanwelder.com
Adam Werner - http://www.adamwerner.com
John Stowell - http://www.johnstowell.com
Matt Richards - http://www.mattrichardsmusic.net
Michael Manring - http://www.manthing.com
Will Ackerman - http://www.williamackerman.com
New Land Music - http://www.newlandmusic.com
Catherine Todd Mon, Oct 8, 2007 at 9:42 PM
To: Jim Goodin
Dear Jim,

Wow... thanks so much. I will have to re-read your wonderful email and digest all this. I am overwhelmed. In such a good way!

You are the only person I have sent the music too as yet. Note: I was never "influenced" by Windham Hill or anyone; I have played like this since I was 10 years old! Can you believe it? I remember sitting at the piano playing with tears streaming down my face, just as they do now (didn't at IRS thank God, but you get my drift...) My "signature piece" was playing "The Theme from Exodus" when I was ten (the first and last piece I ever learned to read music for) and I remember being in a piano store playing away in the far back of the store, and the owner coming back searching all over for "who was playing the piano." I thought I was in trouble, and it took a long time for him to believe it was me! But he said "continue, continue" just like people have always said all my life. But I am not a performer, as you can gather from my letters!


About the last part you liked so much (and thanks for the details in your email, more are always welcome): I have some pieces that are" really dis-harmonious" but are always "harmonious" at the same time, that I hope to have the courage to play the next time I go up there (in the Spring, I hope). I have somehow found a way to make "any key fit." Just like in Nature, no matter what is going on. It all comes down to "one note" anyway. Searching for that "perfect note" just like Clapton said. That perfect "moment" I reach at the altar of the piano... at least I used to, long long ago. I pray I can recreate the experience by somehow opening up my life once again to those "perfect spaces." It's been a LONG TIME.

I couldn't tell much difference between my playing and Dana Cunningham (name?) whose CD I was listening to while I was there, so that was encouraging.

The "special harmony" you speak of is something I really love, as well. I'm glad you do too. It was hard being so out of practice but the feeling was still there, which surprised me and it was "easy" since the room and the piano and microphones were all set up really nicely. It was so private and peaceful.

I'll try sending you the 15 min. session (unedited) from the next day. I don't know how in the world the first day (4 hours) ended up being just this less-than-five minute Track 01, but there you have it. At least what was captured is pretty nice.

More later? Hope so! Write all you want, send me some of your new stuff.

Note: “If Will would happen to be interested which he always deny's I think for fear of the past haunting him, if he hears this I can't help but believe he will go ape over what you're doing.”

That is so nice to hear... but thank God Will was on vacation in Italy when I got there or I would NEVER have had the courage to play! Maybe next time... Corin just said "there's some things worth recording here" so your letter has really bolstered my confidence!

I'll send the second piece "Track [02 &] 03" separately.

Thank you so much! Catherine Todd

P.S. I'm glad you wrote to Corin about not recording there; sounded good to me, and I'm sure he's OK with it all. Next time, maybe I can come up there around the same time. Would love to hear you in person.
[Quoted text hidden]
--
*** Traveling:

"A child on a farm sees a plane fly overhead and dreams of a faraway place. A traveler on a plane sees the farmhouse and dreams of home." ~ Carl Burns

Words to live by: "Best of all is to preserve everything in a pure, still heart, and let there be for every pulse a thanksgiving, and for every breath a song." ~ Konrad von Gesner

"The world is made anew each day, for God makes it so. It contains within it all the good and all the evil as before; no more, no less, but the same." ~ Paraphrased from "The Crossing," by Cormac McCarthy

Catherine Todd
3007 Bent Tree Dr. Oxford NC 27565
H 919.693.0853 U.S. cell 919.605.0727

Catherine Todd's recording - Jim Goodin

Re: Catherine Todd's recording

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		from		Catherine Todd		10.8.07 details	9:19 pm
	to			Jim Goodin
	cc			Corin Nelsen
	date			Oct 8, 2007 9:19 PM
	subject			Re: Catherine Todd's recording

Dear Jim,

Thanks! I can't believe you said this: <<>>

Are you serious? Thanks!

I also can't believe I actually went there and did this, especially after being so out of practice. You have no idea how difficult it was, and how frightened I was going, and insecure I was feeling once I got there. But I somehow got through it; you would think I was playing to a crowd of thousands! Ridiculous... I have NEVER felt that nervous and just flat insecure about EVERYTHING ("there's nothing worth recording here, or paying $500.00 for! But don't chicken out now; finish what you started! Mine own drill Sergeant in my own mind). Now, of course I am so glad that I did it. Better late than never, that's my current motto... before it's all gone!

I finally started to "get a grip" when I told Corin that the recording wasn't worth the money, but the "recording seminar" definitely was, and I got a little something to take back with me. I have another 15 minute piece from the second day (unedited) which I am going to work with in GarageBand to see about layering, etc.

The most amazing thing is that the music "came" at all, and it did! I couldn't do the fancy trills and glissandos and all the rest for lack of practice, but that can be rectified as soon as I get some kind of small "real" piano to fit in this tiny little house I'm in now in NC, and my tiny little house in Panajachel, Guatemala, on Lake Atitlan. Plus Corin and I talked about my getting the newer M-Adio 17 lb. "weighted keys" keyboard that might make a difference compared to the dinky $99.00 I bought at the Apple store when I got my first laptop with GarageBand last year.

Where have I been all my life? What the heck have I been doing? Lots of things, but the last 20 years seem to have gone by like a blur... going to Vermont was definitely a new / earlier door opening in the right direction, and it's all due to you for recommending it and making it a possibility in my mind, and for Corin for opening that door and welcoming me in.

Shades of the Gaslight in NYC back in the late sixties - early seventies. It's all coming back to me now...

What a wonderful experience. I hope to go back in the Spring with more to do, now that I have a "musical map" and know a bit of how to go about all this mess.

Thanks to both of you... Your friend "in Art & Music," Catherine Todd

P.S. You are the first person I have sent this little piece to, so let me know if you think others would enjoy it. I haven't even had the nerve to send it to my friends yet. People always seem to when I sit down to play wherever I see a piano, but I could never really "hear" the music when I was playing, so I feel like a real novice in this area. Critique away! And thanks again to you both!

Corin did such a great job recording AND answering all my questions and letting me learn a bit about the whole actual recording business, and making me feel welcome and not like a pure flat out idiot! I can't imagine that I could have got through it without the mat he put out. What a nice person, just as you are! I got lucky two times...

On 10/8/07, Jim Goodin <jimgoodinmusic@gmail.com > wrote:

Corin hey. Catherine just shared with me a track from her recent IRS session. Really really lovely capturing on your part as I would only expect. Her playing is new (equally as lovely as the sound) to me this being only the second thing I've ever heard from her but I had a good sense from our Web meeting that she would bring a good magic to IRS as so many have. Last time I was there there wasn't a piano yet so pleased that that is now part of the sound there, this one sounds wonderful. I don't know when I'll get back there. I'm still a bit disappointed that we didn't present the Chinapainting concept very clearly to you which really resulted in Daryl and I finding another room. In the end for the money that we had and the desire for the amount of time, the studio we used in Woodstock was really perfect and we've got a great record in the works. Still describing Daryl's technology needs was not presented right on my or our part and it was no wonder it sort of hit you like this may be a mess perhaps. Regardless the capturing of his analog machines was done in a separate room and the noise in the end wasn't really an issue. Hope you are well. Again Catherine's recording sounds really nice Corin.

Best

Jim

--
The Acoustic World Guitar of Jim Goodin - http://www.jimgoodinmusic.com
MySpace (solo) - http://www.myspace.com/jimgoodinmusic
Chinapainting -
http://www.chinapaintingmusic.com
Chinapainting on My Space -
http://www.myspace.com/chinapaintingmusic.com
The Jim Goodin label and home for 7 other creative souls - http://www.woodandwiremusic.com
Jim Goodin uses GHS Strings - http://www.ghsstrings.com and Seagull Guitars - http://www.seagullguitars.com, Jim Goodin is published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc. - http://www.melbay.com

Associates and friends on the web -
Daryl Shawn -
http://www.swanwelder.com
Adam Werner - http://www.adamwerner.com
John Stowell - http://www.johnstowell.com
Matt Richards - http://www.mattrichardsmusic.net
Michael Manring - http://www.manthing.com
Will Ackerman - http://www.williamackerman.com
New Land Music - http://www.newlandmusic.com

Studio Piano

Played 9.26.07

"Music to My Ears CT"

"The Best 5 Minutes..."
3 messages

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Catherine Todd	Tue, Oct 2, 2007 at 10:12 AM
To: Corin Nelsen
Dear Corin, I'm back safe and sound in NC, and just wanted to say "THANKS" for one of the "best five minutes of my life" so far... and for the practice sessions and more... I have listened a bit more to our sessions and can't believe my ears. What a difference a "real" piano in a "real" recording room, set up with "real" microphones can make... I have never heard the piano music that pours out in quite this way. Can't wait to get a new piano somehow and start practicing all over again... perhaps one "can't teach an old dog new tricks," but I don't really have to do that, as I CAN remember "how to ride a bicycle!":) smile! I'm already going to look into how much it will cost to send a small piano to Guatemala, where I will have nothing to do but sit there and play. I might have to learn how to tune it, come to think of it, as with the dearth of pianos in that small country, there probably isn't anyone to do it for me. So I better think about finding a piano tuner's kit as well. In the meantime, I'll order the 17 lb. "weighted keys" M-Audio electronic keyboard and start practicing putting together the "puzzle pieces" of the recordings we made. What joy! I had forgotten what this felt like. And now I have a bit of a "road map" about how to organize all the bits and pieces of songs that have floated down my way... I even found a box of cassettes, rough and jumbled though they may be, that I can convert to mp3's and go through them and pick out the "gems and jewels" as we talked about. Here, all along, I thought because I had to "mine for gold" this music wasn't really "worth much" since there was so much sediment and muck and mud that had to be removed. Finding out that often times everyone works very hard sometimes to find "the best worth keeping" has given me great heart and good cheer. What a reason to live! This is probably the best part about our session up there in your peaceful little corner of VT: finding out how to get started, how to go about it and how to make improvements and eventually put it all together in a "whole." What a wonderful road map in more ways than one! Exactly what I needed at this point in life. EXACTLY. I can hardly believe it. I had a wonderful, quite and peaceful weekend up in my little room above the woodshop; can't wait to come back in the Spring. I can't thank you enough for the recording AND the music recording lessons you imparted along the way. Money well-spent in ALL ways. Just a great experience staying up there, and I ended up being so happy that my place fell through in NYC so I was able to stay there for the weekend. Sometimes things DO work out for the best, don't they? And... Inspiration is everything, sometimes, isn't it? Say hi to the friendly carpenter out there... can't remember his name and neglected to get his email or phone so I can't thank him directly. We had a great conversation before I left that gave me even more courage that I needed, and gave me plenty to think about on the drive back to the city. Can you thank him for me? I can't tell you what a difference this trip to VT has made. What luck and inspiration. See you in the Spring, I hope... with progress being made! Hope you got the photos that I took of YOU, and I'll send some more of the studios later on. I'm still serious about looking for property around there, so keep your ears open for me. As soon as the remaining properties sell down here, maybe I will find myself between Vermont and Guatemala. Who would have "thunk it?" I am determined to find myself somewhere "creative" for sure. I've been living among tobacco fields for far too long. Your friend "in art and music," Catherine Todd -- *** Traveling: "A child on a farm sees a plane fly overhead and dreams of a faraway place. A traveler on a plane sees the farmhouse and dreams of home." ~ Carl Burns Words to live by: "Best of all is to preserve everything in a pure, still heart, and let there be for every pulse a thanksgiving, and for every breath a song." ~ Konrad von Gesner "The world is made anew each day, for God makes it so. It contains within it all the good and all the evil as before; no more, no less, but the same." ~ Paraphrased from "The Crossing," by Cormac McCarthy Catherine Todd 3007 Bent Tree Dr. Oxford NC 27565 H 919.693.0853 U.S. cell 919.605.0727

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Corin Nelsen	Tue, Oct 2, 2007 at 10:22 AM
To: Catherine Todd
That's wonderful Catherine! I DO think this will give you a sense of musical direction. I'm glad we could give you a little Vermont Vacation that had the benefit of inspiration. I wish you the best and am sure that this adventure is just beginning. Thank you for your openness and willingness to learn. That always puts a smile on my face. Cheers, Corin [Quoted text hidden]

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Catherine Todd	Tue, Oct 2, 2007 at 10:50 AM
To: Corin Nelsen
Dear Corin, Oh, so good to hear back so quickly! Everything in your email: true - true - true. How did you like your photos? They weren't perfect, but a good start in the right direction. I'll take more next time so you can see what you look like (just like I could finally "hear what I sound like.") :) smile! Be sure to say "hi" to the "jack of all trades" for me. Really nice fellow. And what a pleasure meeting you; can't wait to be back again! Yours, Catherine [Quoted text hidden]

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