JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Musician Message Forum Female singer looking for songs...

Hey everyone!

This spring I am working on my first cd and I am having a hell of a time picking out songs. So, I am looking for two things

1. Original songs that have a jazz or theatre style/feel to them

2. New arrangements of old theatre/jazz songs that give them a new feel. (A good example of this, and a song I might use is the arrangement of "Being Alive" that Barbra Streisand sang)


If you haven't heard me, please visit my website at www.alisonnolan.com. A good song to listen to would be the live version of "Stormy Weather", "I Dreamed A Dream" or "I'll Be Seeing You". All good examples of what I've got.

I currently have one or two songs that I'd like to do for sure and I'm going to need many more. So, I'll be filtering through a lot of stuff. If you have something you think I might be interested in, please post here or send me an e-mail.

Alison,
To be sure I don't think anyone is writing those type songs anymore. If you want to do a CD of those type songs you will probably just have to do covers of what is already available or change your direction to something current. Good luck.

Hey Alison:
A good friend of mine in town here writes and sings jazz / show tune like material. Check her out at http://www.norapaoli.com/
she may a few available. Also, although I mostly write Folk/Rock songs, if you would want to try writing a few yourself, I'm willing to help if I can. I'm also thinking about starting a local showcase every 2nd Saturday (starting March) at the Fireroast. Let me know if you'd be interested in coming down.

I have been told that one of my songs, "I Can Almost Feel It", might fit into that category...you can hear a sample of it at

http://cdbaby.com/cd/emilysanders

Emily

Maybe check out my Not Quite Ripe on both Soundclick, which ter is a clickable to at the foot of this message.
It is a jazzish piece built on the life history of a self destroyed singer. There arev a few other jazz pieces among the list also.
Graham

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I am still looking/listening to things I have been sent. It usually takes me a while to decide whether or not I like something.

Steve, I've never really tried writing, and don't know if I'd be any good at it or not. I can come up with random songs, but usually I'm being silly, and singing about something that my boyfriend said. (c: However, I'm always open to other genres if it's a song that will match my voice. As for the showcase, is it just for songwriters? If not, I'd always be interested.

Graham, was the song called "Not Quite Ripe"? If so, I couldn't find it on your soundclick page.


Thanks guys...and gals.

Alison:
Not just singer/songwriters, it's for anyone who wants to get up and do some music. If you don't play an instrument, I'm sure you could find a song or two to do with the musicians there. It's very laid back.

Hey, sounds great. I'm always interested in performing! Count me in!

Sorry Alison. I gave you the wrong directions as I don't have it on soundclick.
It is on SongRamp, and the karaoke tracks, both sung and unsung are on Acidplaned and downloadable.
I paste the sung take of that one here:
http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=936632&t=5866
the unsung karaoke should be easily found once you are on my page there.
Here is the SongRamp link to the straight MP3 sing of it.
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=53229
Graham

Howdy Alison!

I don't do much in the Jazz vein, but I'm certain that a song Graham & I wrote together called "Don't Cry" could be properly used in that genre... if you were so inclined.
You can listen to it here if ya like:

www.soundclick.com/athabaxtra

Sorry I couldn't link the song directly for some reason, but you can hear it on the music page (lo-fi/hi-fi) for free... Hope it works for ya!

Please pardon my tacky homemade recording. Thanks in advance for the listen.

Chuck Crowe

This should do it the trip direct to Don't Cry on yours page Chuck, and yes it would.
Doing a bit of a link to songs collection here Alison.
Lucy Longlegs, a jive time boogie:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=7032&songID=3909856
If I Could Never Sing Again, a pop rockish take of one that also swings nice.
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=7032&songID=3808660
That should do for a while as the net is slow here right now.
There is a slow blues wailer in there somewhere called Bus To Anywhere which is one of my favourite lyrics which is going to take some singing i know, but believe it is a good one with a good message.
Good to see you here too Chuck, Don't Cry crossed my mind today as I have one of my topside cuts on its way over to me now, and wondered how this one was doing up there.
Graham

Hi Alison,

Welcome to JPF. I have a couple you might like. They're at Soundclick. Froggy Bottom is a Jazz number. I don't have any backing tracks yet but it would be great with a live band. Let me know what you think.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=406704


Vanessa

Hello Alison, I'm a Bassist/Songwriter, and I have a little Latin Jazz Pop song you might like. It's called, A Dull Day.

It's a 'Happy-Go-Lucky' sort of tune.
You can find it here:

http://www.mixposure.com/song.php?songid=28744

Let me know if you like it.

Robin

Hi Alison,

I noticed you'd posted on the other forum just a few minutes ago. Wondered if you forgot about posting this thread? Thought you might want to know you've had lots of folks respond.


rd

Hi Alison -

Please check out my song, "Echoes of Eternity", a pop ballad at:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=47692&songID=5004284

Let me know what you think of it for your CD project.

Take care,

Ropatt

Email: ron@twintwo.com
http://www.cdbaby.com/ropatt2

Thanks everyone for the responses. Sorry for not responding earlier. I tend to respond to the ones I'm really interested in, because when you are getting a ton of e-mails or replies, it's easier to reply to those versus the dozens of ones you weren't interested in. Sometimes I need to listen to a song a few times, or even a dozen times before I decide whether or not is has potential. Also, please don't take me not responding to be a negative remark on your song. A lot of you have great songs, but many of them I just don't think would be great with my voice, or they are not right for the project, etc. That, and usually I only have a small amount of time to spend online, and have to pick and choose where I spend that time.

Anyway, I still have a few to listen to and relisten to. Thanks for the many replies everyone! I really do appreciate it.

Hi Alison,

I did watch your video and did listen to your voice on several songs. I encourage you to pursue your dreams because you do have a gift. I actually do write musical/cabaret lyrics and "songs for a stage" and have posted numerous ones over on Lyric Board 3, BUT the dilemma is I am actually working on a musical (my first and trust me, a shot in the dark) but I am keeping the songs for inclusion in that should I ever finish. Also, they are without melody at present, a major hold-up. If something becomes available I will definitely contact you and share for your consideration. The best of everything to you and don't give up the dream.

Best,
Lynn

Thanks Lynn, I really appreciate your comments. And please keep me in mind when you do find melodies for your songs, I am always interested in hearing new musicals.

You may want to check out the following. I took these abreviated notes because I thought the story was interesting, local connection. But the music may be even moreso, possibly arranged or arrangeable in the format you desire, if she's putting them on the market.

Marquais, Melissa. Vern Riffe Center For the Arts, Portsmouth OH, in 2006. Homebase Nashville. Fiance Shane Keister (pianist). Songs by grandfather, Ernest Schweikert (d. 1982 when she was 5, 29? In 06?), 1940’s-60’s, w/lyricist Frank Reardon. Nov 57 Broadway, “Rumple.” Unborn, but show Ops on what will be bro’s b-day, closes on what will be hers.

Wrote sngs rec by B Holliday, Madeleine Peyroux, S Davis Jr, Dinah Shore, G Lombardo, P Como, Four Aces, Carmen McRae, et al.

Hard getting paid by publishers, threw away 30 yrs work. 1977 wrote last sng for her/bro, “Color the Children.” About Xmas. Rec by Mike Douglas 1978. Melissa met Tim Daly in Nville, investor in stock trades, English teacher Japan 12 yr. G-mother Norma sang in Bel Aires 40s-50s. Told her to find G-father’s music. “It’s timeless, it’s beautiful, and it’s perfect for your voice.” Died next day. F Reardon deceased.

Called Kevin Reardon, who said, “Melissa, I have everything. I have been waiting my whole life for someone to come along and do something with this stuff.” First song was “How Do You Say Goodbye.” Mom/gmom telling about song for years.

Shane propose on VRCFA stage 7/3/04 premiere of sngs (7/3/06 no date set?). Keister b. Ports. Wrote sngs w/ Amy Grant. Is Melissa’s mngr. Went England, Scotland, Paris to do songs. Everyone loved sngs. Perform Apollo 6X, Queen Latifah’s show on FOX, half time show for NJ Nets, only artist in 18 yr to perf ballad at Winter Mus Conf Miami.

Hi Alison, check out www.betarecords.com/raesoulman and listen to "Power Of Love Over You". I could send you a couple more. Let me know what you think.

Raymond Byabazaire
rbyabazaire@yahoo.com
+256-756-685422

Hi Alison,

Please check out the following demo songs at http://www.johnswansonmusic.com/songs .

I Just Stopped By to Say Hello
Not For All the Tea in China
New Route 66
The Glass is Half Empty
Have I Got a Deal for You
The Cool Jazz Cat Just Laughed

All of the above are original comp. Lead sheets in PDF or Finale are available. There's also a few standards on there

Best of luck with your CD. I applaude your effort to search for
new songs to record in this style!

Thanks for the interest guys but as this post is over a year old now, I have moved in a different direction. My finances did not allow me to record a cd last year and with a new house and a wedding to come this year, I still cannot afford to record anything unless it is public domain. I've actually shifted my focus to baroque opera and will be recording some of those this year on my home recording equipment, assuming I can find some guitar players who want to collaborate.

Well if "Baroque Opera" is anything like "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen, I know a few guitarists that might work. If not.....
Congrats on the house and upcoming nuptials! Best of luck to you!

Can't afford the 9.1 cents per song!!! That is the least expense in recording a CD.

Alison,

I'm not sure if you're still looking for songs but I have an original song that has a jazz feel to it. It's titled "Hawaiian Common Sense". You can check it out at my website http://www.wendleykekauoha.com

Good morning Allison,
My name is Robert Thomson and I am a composer/songwriter and have a great jazz slow ballad that you might like to do. You can hear the melody and accompliment on my site. http://www.piano-sam.com Lyrics Below.

WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE
LYRICS AND MUSIC BY ROBERT THOMSON
Saturday, October 12, 2002
1:52:12 PM

WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE ALL THE WORLD WILL
KNOW IT
WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE YOU CAN'T HELP BUT
SHOW IT
YOU FIND THAT IT IS TRUE WHAT HAD BEEN
ONE NOW'S TWO
LOVE.............KEEPS YOUR HEAD IN THE
CLOUDS
...............MAKES THE WORLD TURN
AROUND
THAT'S THE MEANING OF LOVE

WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE YOUR HEART WILL
SKIP
A BEAT
WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE YOU FIND IT'S HARD
TO
SLEEP
AND IF YOU JUST BELIEVE ALL YOUR DREAMS
WILL COME TRUE
LOVE.............KEEPS YOUR HEAD IN THE
CLOUDS
...............MAKES THE WORLD TURN
AROUND
THAT'S THE MEANING OF LOVE

BRIDGE

IF YOU FIND SOMEONE TO LOVE
YOU'RE THE LUCKIEST PERSON IN THE WHOLE
WIDE WORLD
HOLD ON TIGHT AND NEVER LET THEM GO
FOR THIS I KNOW
STAY WITH THEM THROUGH THICK AND THIN
LOVE THEM TILL THE VERY END
THAT'S WHAT LOVE IS ALL ABOUT.

WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE ALL THE WORLD WILL
KNOW IT
WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE YOU CAN'T HELP BUT
SHOW IT
YOU FIND THAT IT IS TRUE WHAT HAD BEEN
ONE NOW'S TWO
LOVE.............KEEPS YOUR HEAD IN THE
CLOUDS
...............MAKES THE WORLD TURN
AROUND
THAT'S THE MEANING OF LOVE

END
© 2008 Robert Thomson

Alison,

Yeah, the cost of recording someone's song is tiny tiny tiny. But if you're into doing Opera now, it's likely best to stick with the classics anyway.

Keep us posted on the recordings...

Brian