Background
"Confessions of A Housewife….Chapter 1: Listen to the Sounds of Your Soul" is a mixture of jazz standards and originals (including 2 originals from other artists). The intention was to create a recording of comfort for Alzheimer and Hospice patients and their care givers. We discovered while performing, that at a time when people didn’t know their names or details about their lives, they remembered and loved the standards.
Making this CD has been an experience of love, grief and moving forward to a new day. Being afraid of the unknown but choosing a brave road. This is also about recognizing and accepting the opportunity to enter new territory… a new adventure. Learning, growing, knowing and following the heart.
Understanding that an unseen hand is there to help you.
May you experience a bit of my adventure and may yours be as good or better!
Sincerest thanks to each and every individual who contributed their time, energy, talent, creativity, support, faith, clarity, feedback, patience, humor, perspective and love. This project could not have happened without you and your passion.
Chapter 1 is dedicated to my father, Murray Byron Gordon who passed in 2004. In addition to being an extraordinarily vibrant, brave, ‘macho’, wise and affectionate man, he taught me the value of a sense of humor and was one of my dearest, closest friends. Due to his efforts as a father and a man, he created the firm groundwork for my life. Dad loved classical music and in his later years, finally came to appreciate the art of jazz! (See Moonlight Sonata/It Had to Be You)
My father remains quite alive in my memories and heart.
This recording is also dedicated to Doug, Linda, Sweet and Heart.
A portion of the monies collected from the sale of this work will be contributed to Alzheimer research & Hospice support.
Melissa Gordon Rhine, Leader, New Territory December, 2005.
The following is some additional background about the creation of this recording:
When Dad passed, I was so sad.. I had to do something~ that same week our sweet friend, Linda Muller passed as well. A few months later we lost our dear family labs, Sweet and Heart! And, some months earlier we'd lost a wonderful family friend, hairdresser, confidente and musician, Doug Fletcher. Up until this point, I'd had little experience with death and the grieving process. Nature certainly made up for lost time, teaching me plenty! Dad had aged so quickly. What used to come easily suddenly became an effort for him. He seemed to leave me before he actually passed. And I felt helpless to stop the changes. After a series of tough emotional choices and complications, Dad passed August 16, 2004.
Our youngest, Melody, was graduating from high school. Off we went to heal in Kaua'i! While Melody learned to surf at Hanolei Bay, I sat watching, in the shelter you see on the CD's back cover, and created the basis for this recording. I picked out all the musicians and songs and decided to co-produce and gain the experience. I'll never look at a CD the same way! I've owned countless CD's, truly enjoyed the music and liner notes, but really had no idea how a CD was created. The process of making a CD from original conception to finished product is like giving birth!! I'd met Ron Benner of Dogwood Recording in July of 2004, when he sat on a panel of studio engineers. His help, experitise and work ethic were invaluable and a joy from beginning to end. The recording, the mixing, the mastering processes were truly facinating. Thanks to Bones, who sat in as resident dog and friend, providing an ever present shoulder. Bill Heydolph of Front Porch kept the project moving along with his professionalism, experience and humor. I must thank Michael, Marlon and Melody along with many kind friends who patiently listened and gave feedback hour after hour, day after day.
I've come to understand with the passing of so many friends at once, that aging, grieving and death are completely natural parts of the human cycle and experience, but often taboo to speak of. Aging and death are commonly viewed as enemies to be denied, feared or fought against.
Change and transformation are inevitable and can be embraced with dignity. It's hard when the people we love change forms.. but I believe that, like people in a coma, people with dementia may not be able to communicate like they once could, or may not appear how they once did, but can hear us and above all else, do feel and appreciate our love, patience, understanding and kindness.
May we acknowledge and be unafraid to discuss the issues of aging and passing, as we say goodbye to all that we know, when we must, embarking each day toward a new adventure. May we share in faith, strength and new territory.
Selections:
Produced by: Ron Benner and Melissa Gordon Rhine
Recorded & Mixed: Ron Benner, DogwoodRecording & Mastering Conyers, Georgia
Mastered by: Tony Cortero, Dogwood Recording
Cover Photographs: Hanolei Bay, Kaua’i by Melissa Gordon Rhine c2005
Listen to the Sounds of Your Soul
I bet this ain’t a real surprise,
I see the questions in your eyes.
Been wonderin’ what’s the point of being here?
One day is like another.
The daily games are just a bother.
Been wonderin’ what’s the point of staying here?
You’ve got to listen to the sounds of your soul.
It will make you whole.
Listen to the sounds of your soul.
Even if you don’t believe me,
Make a mental note.
Your circumstance can change, just like the weather.
Come the day you feel alone
Come the day when you’re all grown,
Don’t forget to turn within, you’ll be ok.
The songs that play inside your heart,
Are truer than you know.
What appears to be a dead end’s
Just a chance to grow….
The Very Thought of You/ Words & Music: Ray Noble c1934
Song for My Father Music: Horace Silver c1964
Guitar: Michael Rhine
Bass: Neal Starkey
Drums: Billy Degnats
Flute: Sam Skelton
Vocals: Melissa Gordon Rhine
Every recording should have such an excellent team of players for the rhythm section. Thank you Michael, Neal and Billy. You created a solid and firm foundation, lending all your talent and laughter. I love you.
Listen to the Sounds of Your Soul Words & Music: Melissa Gordon Rhine &
Michael Rhine c1998
Guitar: Michael Rhine
Bass Guitar: Neal Starkey
Drums: Billy Degnats
Harmonica: Howard Levy
Keyboard: Burt Wolff
Vocals: Melissa Gordon Rhine
This song was written for our children..a motherly "reminder" song. Thanks to the participating musicians: Michael, Neal, Billy, Howard and Burt whose colors 'nailed' the spirit of the song!
Wave Words and Music: Antonio Carlos Jobim c1967
Guitar: Michael Rhine
Bass: Neal Starkey
Drums: Billy Degnats
Flute: Sam Skelton
Vocals: Melissa Gordon Rhine
There’s Something About You and Me Words and Music: Melissa
Gordon Rhine c1976
Guitar: Michael Rhine
Bass: Neal Starkey
Drums: Billy Degnats
Harmonica: Howard Levy
Vocals: Melissa Gordon Rhine
On my original songs, I had the priviledge of working with Howard Levy. He is brilliant, musically, professionally and personally. Thank you Howard, for your sensitivity to my goals and objectives, for your participation, soulful interpretations and humor.
Lets Fall in Love Words and Music: Ted Koehler & Harold
Arlen c1933
Guitar: Michael Rhine
Bass: Neal Starkey
Drums: Billy Degnats
Clarinet: Sam Skelton
Piano: Johnny Knapp
Vocals: Melissa Gordon Rhine
How Can I Tell You Words and Music: Melissa Gordon Rhine c1985
Guitars: Melissa Gordon Rhine
Michael Rhine
Bass: Neal Starkey
Drums: Billy Degnats
Harmonica: Howard Levy
Vocals: Melissa Gordon Rhine
Moonglow Words and Music: Will Hudson, Eddie DeLange, Irving
Mills c1939
Guitar: Michael Rhine
Bass: Neal Starkey
Drums: Billy Degnats
Saxophone: Sam Skelton
Vocals: Melissa Gordon Rhine
Highest Star Words and Music: Susan Marriott c2005
Guitar: Michael Rhine
Bass: Neal Starkey
Drums: Billy Degnats
Vocals: Melissa Gordon Rhine
I've sang this song many, many times over the years and had to record it. It's simple and from the heart. Thank you Susan for writing it!
Moonlight Sonata/ Music: Beethoven
It Had to Be You Words & Music: Gus Kahn & Isham Jones
c1924
Guitar: Michael Rhine
Bass: Neal Starkey
Drums: Billy Degnats
Piano: Johnny Knapp
Harmonica: Howard Levy
Vocals: Melissa Gordon Rhine
From my earliest memories, I remember classical music being played in our home and in the car. I was trained classically on piano, violin and in music theory. As a teenager and adult, I began to explore and love many different styles of music. As a vocalist, Jazz remains exciting and challenging. We'd debate the value of Jazz, both so sure we were right! Dad eventually went to an elder hostel (an in-depth weekend workshop) in New Orleans studying Jazz and its roots, coming away with a genuine appreciation of the art form. (finally!) Arranging the Moonlight Sonata and It Had to Be You was my attempt at combining two distinctly different worlds. A special thank you to Johnny Knapp- thank you for welcoming us into your home to record at your grand piano- your artistry exceeded every hope I had.
Skylark Words and Music: Hoagy Carmichael & Johnny Mercer
c1941
Guitar: Michael Rhine
Bass: Neal Starkey
Drums: Billy Degnats
Piano: Johnny Knapp
Harmonica: Howard Levy
Vocals: Melissa Gordon Rhine
This song was included for Linda. Thanks Linda for your ever positive feedback.
Song for Dad/Are You Really Gone? Words and Music: Melissa
Gordon Rhine & Michael Rhine c1995/c1988
Guitar: Michael Rhine
Bass: Neal Starkey
Drums: Billy Degnats
Harmonica: Howard Levy
Vocals: Melissa Gordon Rhine
Wrote Song for Dad for his 70th birthday. It made him cry~ very uncommon for Dad! I wrote Are You Really Gone when my brother in law, Jack, passed. This is included for Adrienne and Solana.
Meditating On Your Love Words and Music: Tim Hain c1978
Guitars: Michael Rhine & Melissa Gordon Rhine
Bass Guitar: Michael Rhine
Drums: Marlon Rhine
Vocals: Melody Rhine, Melissa Gordon Rhine, Michael Rhine, Marlon Rhine
This is a song I've always loved and had to record. Thank you to Tim for your generosity and extraordinary humor. This is the only song that Michael, Marlon, Melody and I did solely. It was our "family" song! Thank you for everything.
Our Love is Here to Stay Words and Music: George & Ira Gershwin c1938
Guitar: Michael Rhine
Bass: Neal Starkey
Drums: Billy Degnats
Harmonica: Howard Levy
Piano: Johnny Knapp
Vocals: Melissa Gordon Rhine
Spirit of Forest Music: Airto Moreira
As a child and teenager, Dad and I spent many happy weekend hours hiking through woods,
sloshing through streams and climbing over hills and through ravines, sharing our
thoughts, beliefs, questions and hearts. When I originally conceived of this recording, I
knew that Airto would be able to encapsulate the feelings and emotions I was needing to
communicate. These sounds were placed in between the songs as well as in entirety at
the end of the recording.
A special thank
you to Airto, for his openness, spirit and creativity.
Updated: 01/01/2006