Nov 2009: There’s a wonderful live recording of Linda Ronstadt singing ‘RESCUE ME’, a song written by W.C. Smith and R. Miner (whoever they are) and made famous by Aretha Franklin. When Linda sings it, she sounds so desperate, and so insatiable. You get the impression that she’s singling out a few men from the audience and singing it pointedly to them; her hard-working manager then rounds up Linda’s selection, and rosters them on, one after the other, to wait their turn outside Linda’s hotel-room door. I’ve always loved singing along to it, and recently thought, “Well, why don’t I try to learn it?” It seemed hard! It IS hard! If you don’t completely let go, then you may as well not bother singing it at all – it’s one of those songs. I saw the Maladies play at their record launch last week, and Daniel, their singer, is a shining example of allowing himself to be completely possessed by the act of singing – it’s great to watch. But you can’t do it by halves!
So I sing at top volume, “Rescue me! Love me, baby, squeeze me, baby! ‘Cause I’m lonely, and I’m blue. I need you, and your love, too – rescue me!” I want to tell my flatmates, “That song’s not one of mine. It’s an old classic. It’s just a song. It’s an exercise. I don’t really mean what I’m singing.” But I do, I do!
Correction: Chris informs me that it was Fontella Bass, not Aretha, who made this song famous. “But didn’t Aretha do it, too?” I lamely protested, stopping short of saying, “I read it on the internet!” Chris said, “I’d know.”
Sounds Like
One day I want to write a real country song. I get closer and closer, but I don't think I'll ever get there...I've lived in Sydney too long. I throw in a fourth chord at the last minute.
I began playing music publicly in 2005. First I joined up as one of Nic Dalton's Gloomchasers (Nic and I co-write a few songs each year) and then I started playing solo, too. Recently I joined Adam Gibson's spoken word band The Aerial Maps, on guitar and back-ups. See http://www.myspace.com/theaerialmaps for our upcoming gigs. I spend most of my time writing novels, (first one 'The Showgirl And The Brumby' published 2002 by Vintage/Random House) - I am at the end of a fourth draft of one ('The Easy Part') and have just finished the third draft of 'Earthly Things'.
My first proper release, a seven-song CD called 'Living The Way We Like It', is now available from halfacow.com.au, or via MGM, or else from me at a show. It was launched last year in my living room (somewhere on this page you can find Adi's review of it and several photos).
If anyone buys a copy of 'Living The Way We Like It' and did not get the Explanatory Notes that come with it, please let me know and I'll post them to you.
Courtesy of Moshcam.com, you can see me live at the Annandale, opening the night for Justin Townes Earle:.. ..
One Off Show with a Horn Section, Backing Singers & Special Guests. With Support from Jamie Hutchings & His Imaginary Choir, The Disbelievers & Kirin J Callinan.
"DJ Monkey …soul-stirring, excitingly edgy music…just disturbing (read ‘mind-f**king’) enough to demand attention. There is a whole spice rack of auditory flavors here, served up like fractured poetry on a collection of intensely listenable Hallmark cards from Hell." Bill Margold, Cinema Seen, L.A. X..Press
happy birthday to the woman of my dreams. send you lots and lots of love and yes a little tear of missing you xoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxooxoxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxoxxoxox
Yay! I am glad you are listening to my cd. I too have been loving your music and have pored over your booklet and must confess to some myspace spying on your blog. Henry Rollins never sat quite right with me, so your story was validating. All my band loved you too by the way! Would love to see you next time we come to Sydney, which will be on the 4th of July at The Harp in Tempe. It's an all Melbourne line up this time, but hopefully next time we can play a show together. X Laura
Hello! I saw you supporting Darren at the Globe in Brisbane, and really enjoyed your set. Unusual, normally I don't like any support act! Hopefully we'll see you around Brisbane again.
Hello Lucy,
Was really excited when I heard your songs. I found myself looking forward to each next line and each resolution of rhyme, internally nodding with recognition. I think someone once said something about writing being at its best when it tells you what you already know. Definitely was feeling a lot of that. Like, "being alone with a xylophone". Not that I own a xylophone, but I can very easily imagine that I would. Your pretty harsh on the yanks though.
Anyway, looking forward to seeing you play next time you are in Melbourne. I went along to the show you played with Matt Mcbeath but missed your set...
Cheers, Peter
Oh lUcy don't give up on the northern Lights yet!!!!
I haveabout a billion dreams especially for travel and I wil be devastated if they all dont happen!
maybe we just need to get organised?
yes lets get a coffee, Im free all the time so let me know
hehe
xxx
.
