All keyboards, synths, and vocals by Robin Frederick. Guitars: Grant Geissman, Mike Simms, Marty Rifkin, and Dan Marfisi. Rhythm tracks: Roy Campanella III, Mike Sims, and Robin Frederick. Drums on "You Are Here" Tom Walsh. Bass on "Water Falls Down," Angel, Cover Me," and "Married to the Muse": Dave Marotta.
Influences
NICK DRAKE has had a profound influence on my writing but it took a while - about 25 years - for me to appreciate what he was doing. When I first met Nick in 1967, we were both living in Aix-en-Provence in the south of France. I was already writing songs and I had a few gigs around town. Nick was playing covers of folk songs and blues, mostly the songs that are on the Family Tree album. He never played any originals for me during the time I knew him. Later I found out he was just starting to write songs at that time. One evening after he failed to show up at a cafe where I'd agreed to meet him, I went home and wrote the song "Sandy Grey." I didn't really know anything about Nick so the song is just my impression, a folk song, about someone elusive - a grey shadow slipping away like sand through ones fingers.
A few years later, when I was back in California, I found Five Leaves Left in the import bin at Tower Records and bought it. I was amazed by what Nick had done. Songs like "River Man" and "Three Hours" were simply beautiful! I didn't notice until much later just how musically sophisticated, how finely crafted, how unusual and ahead of their time his songs really were. I just enjoyed them for a long, long time. But eventually, as a songwriter, I grew curious and I started looking more closely. I saw that Nick was playing with the relationship of melody to rhythm and I began to use some of those techniques in my own songs. "Married To the Muse" and "Angel, Cover Me" are two songs I wrote that are based on the melodic style Nick developed back in 1969 when he was just 20 years old. I am only catching up with him now - a little bit.
It's been a great pleasure to be invited to contribute to the album notes for both Family Tree and the reissue of the Fruit Tree box set. I listened deeply to all of Nick's songs and tried to let him tell me what he wanted to say. I relied on the music more than the words. Words can lie but the music never does.
For more, read "Nick Drake: A Place To Be" originally published in Mojo Magazine. You'll find links to more articles and information there. - Robin Frederick 10/29/07
Sounds Like
Norah Jones, Sade, a little bit of Dusty Springfield mixed with Enya.
Music Connection Magazine ~ "Over Euro-inflected grooves and airy orchestration, songwriter and artist Robin Frederick lays a suite of brilliantly performed songs."
WATER FALLS DOWN (REMASTERED) includes all of the tracks from the original CD version plus brand new recordings of Robin's folk classic "Sandy Grey." Originally recorded by John Martyn, Robin has never commercially released this song which she wrote for Nick Drake... until now. This album includes two versions, a folk/rock mix and an acoustic guitar bonus mix. Available at CD Baby and Amazon.com.
Hailed as "a miraculous breakthrough into a feeling world" by British music critic Ian MacDonald, the songs on WATER FALLS DOWN explore love, loss, living. Robin's vocal style blends the intimacy of Norah Jones and the silkiness of Enya with the classic, laid-back phrasing of Dusty Springfield. The Electro-Acoustic backing tracks create a downtempo atmosphere shaded with Dance, Jazz/Pop, and World Beat. Robin is a master of her craft, a songwriter, poet, and storyteller with a unique and compelling vision. John Braheny, author of The Craft and Business of Songwriting, says: "I love it! Musically mystical and evocative with enough body grounding groove to balance it. Lyrically cliche-free with some profound observations." Visit the world of muses and lovers, the lost, the betrayed, the dreamers and visionaries who live and love in these songs. Let the music take you to their world, the place where water falls down.
MakeaStar.com ~ "... wonderfully moody and atmospheric."
ARTIST HISTORY: Robin has written and produced over 500 songs for television and record albums. She currently writes and teaches songwriting in Los Angeles, California. Visit Robin's web site for bio, articles, and news.
Stephanie Bennett, Harpworld Music Co. ~ "Robin Frederick's WATER FALLS DOWN is an intoxicating work, a standout achievement in contemporary songwriting and production. The lyrics are haunting and intriguing poetry; the music is engaging with a Sting-like sophistication; Robin's voice is beautifully gentle and mysterious, a fitting counterpoint to the energy of the songs. The production values are nothing short of gorgeous. "
Hello Robin! Just checking in and seeing how everything is going! I recently recorded a new song 'Freedom Fighters' I think you'll like the lyrics. Simple but powerful.
If you have any more courses at PCC let me know, Take care - Devon
It's just me Jessica, how are you? I don't think I said thank you to you when you came to see me at Room 5. I have another two shows coming up. One at Live at the Lounge and the other at Genghis Cohen. Hopefully I will do better then last time
I just wanted to let you know that my dad sent out a bulletin to all of my friends letting them know that my debut CD has finally been released on iTunes and CDbaby. com I am so happy! It was hard work but worth it.
I know sometimes people don't read there bulletins, so that is why I am letting you know.
Well thank you so much for being my friend and I hope you like my new music and new page.
Hi Robin, I enjoyed listening to your music! I am glad to find you on Myspace, and I hope to attend one of your classes, or see you at another songwriters conference!
Sometimes I Can’t Believe My Space. I Have In Front Of Me, At My Disposal, A Never Ending Concert Of Great Music From All Over The World.. I Love It ! ! ! ! ! I Try To Listen To All Of It But I Can’t. I Do Listen To A Little Of All My Friends. Your Music Is Wonderful. Be Bop, Hip Hop, Country , Rock & Pop. I Have Lived It All. Music Is My Life. I Love Your Music ! ! ! ! Thank You For Being You & For Being My Friend.
Sometimes I Can’t Believe My Space. I Have In Front Of Me, At My Disposal, A Never Ending Concert Of Great Music From All Over The World.. I Love It ! ! ! ! ! I Try To Listen To All Of It But I Can’t. I Do Listen To A Little Of All My Friends. Your Music Is Wonderful. Be Bop, Hip Hop, Country , Rock & Pop. I Have Lived It All. Music Is My Life. I Love Your Music ! ! ! ! Thank You For Being You & For Being My Friend.
Hi Robin, Nice to hear your wonderful music and read your words. After reading one of your blogs, I can understand you better as a singer songwriter. Even artist like Tori Amos, maybe even pieces of me. shondell
If you live in the Southern CA area, come join me for a rare Saturday show at Tangier on January 12th with the wonderful Sacha Sacket. Details are below...
Katrina Parker Live Saturday show w/Sacha Sacket January 12th @ Tangier 8PM, $8 cover 2138 Hillhurst Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027
'Broken Record Tactics' is a fun little record for fans of Cartel and The Starting Line. If you're in the mood for some chirpy, melodic pop-punk with a bit of a rockier edge, you could do a lot worse than to check them out.' - Punktastic.com
I hope you don’t mind this promotional message, we promise it will be the last one for a while :-)
Hi, Robin, So glad to find you on Myspace. As you can see, I have become a hopeless music junkie/groupie, whatever.
Just wanted to let you know, I absolutely love "Water Falls Down" - the lyric is so evocative and the music has a kind of enchantment about it that makes a person want to keep on listening...
Thank you for everything! Have a great holiday season.
