Intuitive Music

Elizabeth Carpenter is one the most touching and moving artists that we have had the pleasure of knowing this year. She is a vocalist and song writer in the tradition of artists like Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones and Nick Drake. People with something soulful to say who say it in a personal, intimate and touching way.

Not only she has the skill of making you feel warm and comfortable with her voice and an acoustic guitar, but she has formed one of the most interesting ensembles in Seattle with a group of wonderful jazz-oriented musicians including Conlin Roser (guitar), Erik Anderson (drums), Jon Markel (double bass), Tobi Stone (saxophone and flute), Amy Denio (sax, accordian), Dave Carter (trumpet, flugel horn), Ty Baillie (keyboards), Jeff Busch (Latin Percussion) and Paul Rucker (cello). With this wonder team, Elizabeth has put into the same pot a combination of blues, jazz, rock, rhythm and blues, latin, folk and oldies sounds to bring a timeless charming music style.

Elizabeth talks with us about her influences and music recommendations for the new year. She is one of the most culturally enriching people to talk to that we know, so you might take good note of her hints.

- My last discovery album:

Charlie Beresford’s “The Room Is Empty”. I found him through Myspace and he is on my Top 24 list there. His music is perfect for cold wet winter days and nights. I love the dissonance, the guitar rhythms, his voice as part of that bridge between melody and rhythm. I like the tensions, the melancholy, the drama and passion that emerge intermittently. This is gorgeous, sad, rich, sensual music with killer guitar, amazing rhythms; I love the dynamics, the chords, the sparseness, and the intimacy of it. He reminds me a bit of Nick Drake, who I worship.

- The song I always wanted to cover:

“Lush Life”. One of the most complex, interesting songs lyrically and musically – damn hard to carry off vocally and dramatically. It is very much a torch song for a person whose fire went out a long time ago. The nostalgia and resignation in it suit my take on life. I am a tender cynic.

- The song that always makes me cry:

Jefferson Airplane “Comin’ Back to Me”. I discovered this song through Rickie Lee Jones and it always makes me cry. I think it is one of the saddest songs ever, I love sad songs. It’s the melody that breaks my heart, but the lyrics are so beautiful, too.

Lyrics for Comin’ Back to Me

The summer had inhaled
And held its breath too long.
The winter looked the same,
As if it had never gone,
And through an open window,
Where no curtain hung,
I saw you, I saw you,
Coming back to me.

One begins to read between
The pages of a look.
The sound of sleepy music,
And suddenly, you’re hooked.
I saw you, I saw you,
Coming back to me.

You came to stay and live my way,
Scatter my love like leaves in the wind.
You always say that you won’t go away,
But I know what it always has been,
It always has been.

A transparent dream
Beneath an occasional sigh
Most of the time,
I just let it go by.
Now I wish it hadn’t begun.
I saw you, I saw you,
Coming back to me.

Strolling the hill,
Overlooking the shore,
I realize I’ve been here before.
The shadow in the mist
Could have been anyone
I saw you, I saw you,
Coming back to me.

Small things like reasons
Are put in a jar.
Whatever happened to wishes,
Wished on a star?
Was it just something
That I made up for fun?
I saw you, I saw you,
Coming back to me.

- My best musical experience with another musician:

Playing with my band members, recording my last CD “Flirtingâ€?. I am blessed to work with some of the best musicians in Seattle (most are in the jazz/experimental field). I should also say that even though he is the recording engineer, Mark Clem, counts as part of the band when we made “Flirtingâ€?. He was such an inspiration and guide that helped keep me calm, focused and positive. The magic of playing with gifted musicians who truly love my music and add their own parts and improvisations to each song is always most gratifying. I’m more excited by collaboration and seeing what they can add to each composition. The energy they provide helps me perform better, as well.

- The artist I’d like to work with:

Waldemar Bastos. He is one of my all time music Gods. I saw him play at WOMAD in ‘98 and I’ve been devoted to listening to him ever since. I was lucky to meet him after his show at The Triple Door in 2005 and have a friendship now. So, that’s one of the best connections I’ve been so lucky to have. He is an Angolan now living in Lisbon, Portugal (for years he lived in exile from his country for political reasons – but now can visit without fear). His newest CD has many songs devoted to his feelings for Angola. I love all his work, but his CD “Preta Luz” is one I have played over and over for years without ever tiring of it. David Byrne produced that one, a man of supreme taste, yes?!

- The concert I always wanted to attend:

Any gig with John Coltrane, that would have been truly stellar. Of course, he is king of improv and of turning a known melody inside out and beyond. I can’t think of any other player, performing live, that could be a better choice for this wish.

- Recommended album from my career:

Well, I have 3 CD’s. “Emergency Love” may have to be the ONE. It expresses more of my melancholic side, which is my essence. This CD has my 2 best songs – “The Brooklyn Bridge” and “Emergency Love”, so that may be why I side with it. But I love my recent CD “Flirting” too. I tried to write more pop/soul/positive songs for it. This is hard for me to say. I like both, like two children I’ve given birth to. It’s hard to choose.

- Recommended oldies album:
Nick Drake “Pink Moon”. This is one of the most perfect CDs ever for those who like lyrical, sad, exquisite beauty. Nick Drake and Chris Whitley are two of my favorite guitarists and composers, so I have to add “Whitley’s Dirt Floor” too. His has a harder, grittier, sexier edge along with the lonely, spare, lyrical qualities I like in Drake’s work. And, both delight in dissonance, which is the corner stone to what I try to do with my chords, as well.

- My MysPace band/artist recommendation:
I have many, so go to my Top 24 and listen to:
Charlie Beresford (England)
Watine (France)
Ory Chalk (Belgium)
Alastair Artingstall (England)
And, I also just bought CD’s from:
Emily Loizeau (France)
Chittlin’ (US)

- My YouTube music video recommendation:
The Young Ones “Anarchy in the UK”. A video of them to the Sex Pistols. It’s damn fun. I may not compose much punk (my only song that approaches it is “Clint Eastwood Dream”) but I am a complete fan of that British TV show and of that song for this wacky short. I like a lot of old punk and new wave music – I spent a lot of time dancing in dives in NYC back in the early 80’s. Oh, I also love the YouTube video of Klaus Nomi singing “Lightning Strikes”, so add that to my top videos along with deliciously bad Bollywood clips from the 60’s & 70’s.