Music in the Studio
Hi, Everybody!!
Just a quick update on my song lyric writing activities. When I got to Paris this time, we worked in the studio for days, recording our songs for ‘demos’ (CD’s that play our songs). We recorded 9 songs, mostly ballads, and we’ve written 11 more than that. It was a fascinating experience, and soooooo much fun for me. The technical aspects are very complicated and I’m learning a lot about music, recording, composing, and writing lyrics. I am thoroughly loving the experience, and I’m working with a wonderful team, of 3 composers, 7 musicians, and a young French singer, who is bi-lingual. So we are recording songs in English and French, and I’ve written the lyrics to each song in both languages, so we have options.
We’ve been working 12 and 14 hours in the studio. The musicians recorded their ‘tracks’ of the music before I got there. And my work is with the singer, to make sure that the lyrics are sung and recorded as I wrote them. The songs are in many ways similar to my poems, although more complicated to write, since you have to be aware of the beat and tempo of the music, and the lyrics have to fit!! It’s not free form like writing poetry. Sometimes I write the lyrics first, and they compose the music to it, and sometimes I write lyrics to the music they’ve written. And often we work together in brainstorming sessions, where we come up with the songs together and try different things. By the time we get to the studio to record the songs, they are very polished, and we’ve worked hard on them. Often we don’t even stop for meals while we work.
I’m often reminded of the atmosphere of camaraderie that I loved when I went to a co-ed French school as a kid. We just have a good time together, no one has an axe to grind, and we work hard and have fun. Everyone has been a good sport and easy going and incredibly dedicated. I hope that eventually you will hear the result of our work. Stay tuned for that. Many are love songs, and some tell a story. We even wrote one inspired by my late son Nick. I often wish that I could tell him what I’m doing since he was such a passionate musician and singer, and he wrote lyrics too. I think he’d be proud of what we’re doing. And it’s so exciting to be learning something new, and working as a team—which is very different from the solitary work of writing a book alone.
I recently finished a new book, and will be starting on another one soon. And between the two books, I’m working on the songs, so I’m keeping busy these days!!!! I’ll keep you posted on all these activities!!!
Love, Danielle
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Can’t wait to hear this!!! I totally LOVE your books! You are my #1 Author!!! I am a big big fan of yours! May God continue to bless you with so much more talent Ms. Danielle! You mention that you wish your Son was here to see your work, well m’am with all do respect, He is, not physically unfortunately, but spiritually. He has never ever left you. And yes, he is extremely proud of you……. You are the BEST in Ms. Danielle (:
Dear danielle, I bought the first book of your works in Tokyo. Today I bought the second one in NYC. Both the cities are not my home country, living cities. But with your beautiful words accompany I am leading a very silent and positive life. I am feeling very happy in reading your book, your blog. I am blessing you much happier and more beautiful! You are always the person I admire! Great thanks for your devotion!
Hello Ms.Danielle, you don’t know me but I will not let this year pass by without telling you that I LOVE YOU and I love your books. I am from the Philippines (yes I am Filipino) and I am a big fan of yours. You are one of the writers I look up to and every time I feel hopeless and discouraged with my writing ability, you are one of the people I think of. You are one of my inspiration. On my 25th birthday recently, I decided that I will try my best to pursue my dreams on being a writer myself and no matter what happens, you will always be my idol. I love you Ms. Danielle.
By the way it’s Annalyn here…Annalyn Pestano
I wish you more blessings and happiness in life..
Love,
Annalyn from Philippines
hello Danielle!
I have an idea, the plot for the book. And I’d want to tell you this story. maybe you want to write a book on it? I would very much like this. Thank you for all your wonderful books. write me on thenesmamat@gmail.com about my idea, please
I am reading your book called the long roah home and i love it, i was wondering if you have ever thought of making it into a movie? I would love to watch it.
Can’t wait to hear the songs! 🙂
Wicked! We’re keen on hereing some of your stuff. Check out our songs on: http://placidrevival.blogspot.com 🙂