Firsgt band rehearsal in YEARS !!!

I had totally forgotten just how fun it is to sing with a band. Although I don't miss the band when Florian Sitzmann is accompanying me on the piano, there is truly something extra to enjoy when Kosho plays guitar and Mario Garrucio drums.
I have a wonderful next-door neighbor who likes nothing better (or so she says!) than to have me/us rehearse at her house. If she had it her way (or so she says) we would be there every week rehearsing something!
Yesterday she opened up her beautiful living room to these rough and tumble musicians and their miles and miles of cables and equipment. I'm pretty sure she did not know what she was getting herself into. Nevertheless, she spent a good part of the 8+ hours that we rehearsed lying on the floor seemingly enjoying it all. She even cooked a big pot of gulasch soup for us! Neighbors do not come any better than that, folks!
I'm not used to singing for 8 hours. Even though I know how to sing, it is tough for anyone to sing for that many hours at a time. Today, I don't feel like even talking. Gotta rest up for our first concert together on Saturday.
ERF and Gerth medien put on a little contest to promote my new album "Was Uns Bleibt". Anyone who wanted to come to an exklusive "I-can-count-your-tooth-fillings" concert had to write which song of mine has meant a lot to them. The ladies at Gerth medien forwarded me the many many emails that they received so that I could share in the joy.
It was very humbling to realize that these people, who have been such loyal fans for so many years, will come on Saturday to hear their favorite songs!
We will do our very best not to disappoint them.......

The making of "Jesu, Meine Freude" for OPEN DOORS

I had the privilege of singing on an album that is being used to make people aware of persecuted Christians around the world.  OPEN DOORS is a ministry that gives these people a voice.  www.opendoors-de.org

The album is called "Grenzenlos" and is not for sale but is being distributed by OPEN DOORS in the hope that more people will support this organization financially and in prayer. 

I was asked to sing the old German Bach chorale "Jesu, meine Freude" for this production and Florian Sitzmann and I were glad to take part.  The arrangement, by Dirk Benner is quite tender and emotional. 
The video you see here is a part of the CD /DVD package that is being distributed. There are also several interviews with Christians around the world telling their stories of perserverence in the face of persecution that you and I can hardly imagine.  And all because they have chosen to follow Christ.  

Michael Jung versteht meine neue Album. :)))

Cae Gauntt

Was uns bleibt

---

Remakes sind in. In der Kino-Welt sowieso. Mittlerweile auch in der Serien-Landschaft. Und auch im Musik-Business ist es dank Leuten wie Tom Jones, Kate Bush (auf "Director's Cut"), David Bowie und ungefähr jedem zweiten Schlager- und NDW-Star zu einem Trend geworden, eigene Lieder nach Jahren noch mal neu aufzunehmen. Nicht als Remix und nicht remastered, nicht als Live- oder Unplugged-Version, sondern schlicht, um älteren Songs neues Leben einzuhauchen. Ganz bewusst und mit großer künstlerischer und persönlicher Hingabe.

So hat es nun auch Cae Gauntt getan. Die zählt seit ihrem Debütalbum vor 24 Jahren zu den bekanntesten Künstlern einer kleinen, aber verkaufsstarken so genannten christlichen Musikszene im deutschsprachigen Raum. Außerhalb dieser Szene dürfte sie nur Kennern bekannt sein, bspw. durch ihre mittlerweile zwölfjährige Mitwirkung an Edo Zankis Ausnahme-Supergroup "4 Your Soul", ihrer gesanglichen Unterstützung für Nena, Pe Werner und Dieter Falk oder durch ihre Texte für "Supertalent" Freddy Sahin-Scholl, Xavier Naidoo und Fool’s Garden. Auch wenn es für die studierte Gesangslehrerin nie zum großen Durchbruch in Deutschland kam, so wird sie doch von Kollegen sehr geschätzt, von Musikkritikern hoch gelobt und von unzähligen Fans geliebt.

Jene Fans kontaktierte Cae im Sommer des letzten Jahres über Facebook, ihren Blog und auf Konzerten und erzählte, dass sie Songs ihrer ersten vier Alben (zwischen 1987 und 1994) vom Staub der Zeit befreien möchte. Da sie ihre alten CDs selbst nicht mehr hört und sie auch nicht bewerten will, überließ sie die Entscheidung, welche Titel neu eingespielt werden sollten, ihren treuen Hörern. Die erzählten ihr, welche Stücke sie am liebsten mochten, ihnen am meisten bedeuteten und warum. Von den Reaktionen und vor allem den Geschichten, wie ihre Lieder Menschen berührt, getröstet und gestärkt haben, war die heute 55-jährige Sängerin und Texterin überwältigt: " Ein solches Verstandenwerden geht tiefer und ist bedeutungsvoller als Verkaufszahlen und ausverkaufte Konzert-Säle." Vielleicht wurde genau aus diesem Grund der Titel des CD-Projekts von "Lifelines" in "Was uns bleibt" geändert. Während "Lifelines" den Blick mehr auf die Künstlerin selbst und ihren Lebensweg lenkt (nicht zuletzt weil sie Ketten, die sie gestaltet und verkauft, ebenso betitelt), spricht der nun gewählte Albumtitel und das entsprechende Lied im Plural von Menschen, denen das Leben etwas gab und gibt: Caes Lieder nämlich.

Und die waren der gebürtigen Texanerin im Gegensatz zu vielen anderen Musikern schon immer genauso wichtig wie die Melodien und die musikalische Umsetzung (Daher sind im Booklet auch alle englischen Songs übersetzt). Denn sie will, dass ihre Lieder mehr als Lieder sind, dass sie ein Band werden zwischen ihr und den Hörenden. Die Mutter zweier Söhne und Frau eines Opernsängers möchte sich mitteilen, ihre Erfahrungen, ihre Sicht auf Gott und die Welt. Und diese Sicht ist sowohl auf Platte als auch in ihren Konzerten so bereichernd. Wenn sie in "Hier" von Frustrationen, dem Wunsch nach Geduld und der Möglichkeit der zweiten Chance singt, dann ist das real, ehrlich und damit tröstend. Die gleiche Wirkung hat das darauf folgende Lied über den alltäglichen Stress, die Überforderung und die daraus resultierende Scham, mit dem sich bestimmt nicht nur Frauen identifizieren können. "Nichts verloren" schlägt in eine ähnliche Kerbe wie der Titelsong, wenn es heißt: "Du bist leer, hast alles gegeben, gabst deine Kraft, deine Zeit. Nichts kam zurück, noch nicht einmal Dankbarkeit. [...] Es geht nichts verloren, wenn sich Liebe so verschenkt. Was du tust um Gottes Willen, davon geht nichts verloren."

In den meisten ihrer Texte klingt ihr Glaube an Gott durch. Deutlich merkt man, woher Cae Kraft in schwierigen Lagen nimmt und worauf sie ihr Leben baut (siehe "Reaching Out"). Das kommt nie predigend rüber, im Gegenteil: Es wirkt echt, offen und alles andere als oberflächlich. Beeindruckend ist es da auch, wenn die Wahl-Badenerin in "Sehnsucht" Mut zum Zugeben von Zweifeln hat: "Suche meinen Platz, frage nach dem Sinn. Weiß nicht, warum ich lebe. Spür nur, dass ich bin. Vielleicht ist da ein Plan. Diese Sehnsucht tief in mir ruft nach einer Antwort, ruft, oh Gott, zu dir."

Sehr einnehmend ist auch die Aussage von "All That I Am". Noch treffender als Alanis Morissette in ihrem Hit "Everything" beschreibt die Sängerin hier all ihre Facetten: "Somewhere in here – small and frightened – is a child who can’t let go. Right beside her is another trying hard to steal the show. There’s an awkward timid woman, there’s a star of stage and screen. There’s a fiery believer and a brazen libertine." Ein Text, so gut und wahr, dass man ihn hier eigentlich komplett zitieren müsste, und so genial gedichtet, dass er aus all den großartigen Lyrics ihrer Veröffentlichungen noch mal heraus sticht. Bezaubern tut auch "Ruhiger bei dir", das sie Eddie, mit dem sie seit 33 Jahren verheiratet ist (und sogar gemeinsame Konzerte gibt), widmet: "Nie warst du mir lieber, nie warst du mir näher. Bitte bleib bei mir! Ich spüre, mein Herz schlägt ruhiger bei dir." Normalerweise schreibt Cae selbst, doch ab und an entdeckt sie Perlen anderer Autoren, die sie dann gerne singt. Dieses weise Liebeslied verfasste Marion Sitzmann, der Ehefrau von Florian Sitzmann, der schon vor seiner Zeit bei den Söhne Mannheims Caes immens begabter Pianist, Komponist und Produzent war.

Sitzmann ist nicht nur eins der größten Talente der deutschen Musikszene, er kennt seine Kollegin und Freundin auch seit über zwanzig Jahren und weiß ihre Stärken ganz genau einzusetzen. Sein Ziel war es, Überproduktion und modische Spielereien zu vermeiden und stattdessen Cae im Mittelpunkt stehen zu lassen, ihre Stimme und ihre geliebten Songs. Die mussten natürlich vom Sound der 80er Jahre befreit werden, was generell aufgrund neuer Arrangements, tieferer Singstimme und live eingespielter Instrumente selbstverständlich funktioniert hat. Titeln wie "Ein für allemal", "Ich steh zu dir" und "Reaching Out" hört man jedoch einfach an, in welcher Zeit sie komponiert wurden. Alte Fans mag das nicht stören, neue Hörer könnte es erstmal irritieren. Aber egal: Das ist eben Cae. Konsequent steht "Ein für allemal" daher auch am Anfang der Scheibe, denn textlich war er schon damals eine Art Rückblick und musikalisch sicher eins der am schwersten zu transformierenden Songs. Von seinem 80er-Jahre-Bombast wurde er befreit, klingt nun erwachsener und damit etwas unspektakulärer, irgendwie nach "easy going" und lässig.

Letzteres Adjektiv beschreibt überhaupt viele Titel der neuen CD. Auch "Ich steh zu dir" und "Hier" haben diesen smoothen an Colbie Caillat (Album: "All of You)" und Jason Mraz (Album: "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.") erinnernden Sound und wirken, als seien sie im Wohnzimmer von einer Gruppe jammender Musikerfreunde spontan eingespielt. Und so ähnlich war es ja auch: Keiner der Begleitmusiker kannte die alten Songs und so konnte jeder selbst Arrangements entwickeln und live einbringen. Florian hat so sein Ziel erreicht: Das ganze klingt "down to earth", zeitlos und lässt viel Raum um mit instrumentalen Veränderungen und kleinen gesanglichen Akzenten anders und trotzdem (oder nun erst recht?) charmant zu klingen. Einzig "Reaching Out" verliert eindeutig im Vergleich mit der alten Ausgabe. Zu gut war einfach der Gospel-Touch und Helmut Josts Background Vocals im Speziellen... Der unterstützende Chor in der 2011er Fassung klingt da schlicht zu banal.

Mrs. Gauntt scheint sich in diesen neuen Versionen pudelwohl zu fühlen, man sieht sie regelrecht mit einem Lächeln an den Barhocker lehnend singen. Ihr großes Stimmpotential kann sie anders als in den Originalen wegen der neuen Arrangements aber nicht mehr komplett rauslassen – dazu sind auf "Was uns bleibt" die ruhigen, langsameren Stücke da. Vor allem in "Nichts verloren" powert sie so wie es damals ihr Markenzeichen war, singt gleichzeitig aber so gefühlvoll wie sie es erst im letzten Jahrzehnt perfektioniert hat. So als reines Duett mit dem Flügel hat sie das Stück schon seit Jahren im Live-Programm. In "The Rescue", das es bisher noch gar nicht als Studioaufnahme gab, wurde Cae live immer nur von einem Gitarristen begleitet. Hier wird sie anfangs nur vom Klavier unterstützt bis dann am Ende das German Pops Orchestra einsetzt und der Nummer gemeinsam mit Caes tiefem, "erdigem" Gesang das See-Feeling verpasst, das es textlich bereits hat – stimmig gemacht! Auch das Neuarrangement von "Every Star" unterstreicht den Text: Königwerq-Frontfrau Dania Königs liebliche zweite Stimme wirkt tatsächlich engelsgleich und ist damit die perfekte Ergänzung für dieses einfache Wiegenlied. Die einstige Klavierballade "Sehnsucht", ein Cover von Michael W. Smiths US-Top-10-Hit "Place In This World", wurde mit einer Parallelmontage einer alten Kirchenhymne bestückt – ein Stilmittel, dass Florian Sitzmann schon des Öfteren im Classic-meets-Pop-Programm von Catherine Ellen und ihrem Mann eingesetzt hat.

Als Verbindung zwischen Vergangenheit und Gegenwart und – so Cae – "weil wir einfach nicht anders können", finden sich drei neue Stücke auf ihrem neunten Soloalbum. Musikalisch könnten die auch vom brillanten Vorgänger "Petrographs" stammen: "Ruhiger bei dir" strahlt eine Ruhe aus wie damals "Unten am Fluss", "Godspeed" ist ein souliger und spielfreudiger Ohrwurm und "All That I Am" ist mit zarten Percussion und singender E-Gitarre als Refrain-Ersatz irgendwo dazwischen anzusiedeln. Sie machen unheimlich Lust auf Album Nr. 10 mit komplett neuem Material.

Fazit

Aus Alt wurde nun Neu. Schätze wurden als solche erkannt und als Dankeschön zurückgegeben. Bewährte Lieder wurden um ihren Kern herum neu eingekleidet und passen Cae Gauntt nun wieder. Sogar zur alten Handhabe, sich ohne Nachnamen schlicht "Cae" zu betiteln, wurde zurückgekehrt. Jene Dame berichtet nun, sie habe sich bei den Aufnahmen neu in die Titel verliebt. Das kann auch den Hörern passieren. Eine der besten Stimmen unseres Landes, geschickte akustische Arrangements und tiefgehende und erfrischende Texte machen diese neun Remakes zu einer Herzensangelegenheit und gemeinsam mit drei neuen Werken das Album absolut gewinnbringend und existenzberechtigt.

Anspieltipps
Ich steh zu dir
Every Star is a Prayer
All That I Am
Godspeed
Nichts verloren

Artistpage
CaeGauntt.de

Tracks

	1.		Ein für allemal
	2.		Hier
	3.		Ich steh zu dir
	4.		Ruhiger bei dir
	5.		Sehnsucht
	6.		The Rescue
	7.		Reaching Out
	8.		Every Star is a Prayer
	9.		All That I Am
	10.		Godspeed
	11.		Nichts verloren
	12.		Was uns bleibt

Micha J. - myFanbase
20.10.2011

"Was Uns Bleibt"

My new album, "Was Uns Bleibt" is finally out in the world.  It was a labor of love for you, the listener, and for the songs, which have become friends over the years.  It was so amazing and humbling to see how these songs have taken on a life of their own through you, your lives, your acceptance, your love of the texts and melodies.  I thank each one of you who took the time to write me and vote for your favorite songs.  This album is for YOU !!!!

A letter from Sendai, Japan.

A letter from Sendai Things here in Sendai have been rather surreal. But I am very blessed to have wonderful friends who are helping me a lot. Since my shack is even more worthy of that name, I am now staying at a friend's home. We share supplies like water, food and a kerosene heater. We sleep lined up in one room, eat by candlelight, share stories. It is warm, friendly, and beautiful. During the day we help each other clean up the mess in our homes. People sit in their cars, looking at news on their navigation screens, or line up to get drinking water when a source is open. If someone has water running in their home, they put out a sign so people can come to fill up their jugs and buckets. It's utterly amazingly that where I am there has been no looting, no pushing in lines. People leave their front door open, as it is safer when an earthquake strikes. People keep saying, "Oh, this is how it used to be in the old days when everyone helped one another." Quakes keep coming. Last night they struck about every 15 minutes. Sirens are constant and helicopters pass overhead often. We got water for a few hours in our homes last night, and now it is for half a day. Electricity came on this afternoon. Gas has not yet come on. But all of this is by area. Some people have these things, others do not. No one has washed for several days. We feel grubby, but there are so much more important concerns than that for us now. I love this peeling away of non-essentials. Living fully on the level of instinct, of intuition, of caring, of what is needed for survival, not just of me, but of the entire group. There are strange parallel universes happening. Houses a mess in some places, yet then a house with futons or laundry out drying in the sun. People lining up for water and food, and yet a few people out walking their dogs. All happening at the same time. Other unexpected touches of beauty are first, the silence at night. No cars. No one out on the streets. And the heavens at night are scattered with stars. I usually can see about two, but now the whole sky is filled. The mountains are Sendai are solid and with the crisp air we can see them silhouetted against the sky magnificently. And the Japanese themselves are so wonderful. I come back to my shack to check on it each day, now to send this e-mail since the electricity is on, and I find food and water left in my entranceway. I have no idea from whom, but it is there. Old men in green hats go from door to door checking to see if everyone is OK. People talk to complete strangers asking if they need help. I see no signs of fear. Resignation, yes, but fear or panic, no. They tell us we can expect aftershocks, and even other major quakes, for another month or more. And we are getting constant tremors, rolls, shaking, rumbling. I am blessed in that I live in a part of Sendai that is a bit elevated, a bit more solid than other parts. So, so far this area is better off than others. Last night my friend's husband came in from the country, bringing food and water. Blessed again. Somehow at this time I realize from direct experience that there is indeed an enormous Cosmic evolutionary step that is occurring all over the world right at this moment. And somehow as I experience the events happening now in Japan, I can feel my heart opening very wide. My brother asked me if I felt so small because of all that is happening. I don't. Rather, I feel as part of something happening that much larger than myself. This wave of birthing (worldwide) is hard, and yet magnificent. Thank you again for your care and Love of me, With Love in return, to you all, A.

What is on the bottom of Jörg's shoe?

What a pleasant and low-tension level photo session I experienced yesterday for the new album, LIFELINES. The fabulous photographer, Jörg Steinmetz ( www.visual-food.com ) kindly consented to shoot the pics here at my house. I was hesitant to ask him whether we could change the venue from his studio to my house, but he is very flexible and kindly agreed.
He arrived shortly before ten with his assistant, Maike. I showed him around the house, suggesting different corners and objects I wanted incoorporated into the shoot. Then, I took him to my neighbor's house who allowed us to photograph there, too. (I have GREAT neighbors!)
Soon after, the make-up artist, Jutta Krantz, arrived. I didn't know her, but Eddie did as she is one of the make-up ladies at the theater. The relationship between a make-up artist and her "victim" is tricky. She not only has to have the skills and materials to do a good job, there also has to be good chemistry between them so that the visagistin understands what the customer wants. I had a few magazine photos and we talked and she went to work on my make-up and hair while Jörg and Maike set up the equipment downstairs.
It was the first warm day this year. About the time we all got to work, it was over 21°. And the sun was pouring in the house.
Jörg used the time I was being labored over to take still photos of various objects in my house that are "lifelines" for me: objects that have sentimental value or tell a story. Ami Falk showed up at that point. She is doing the graphics for the album cover/booklet and she was able to direct Jörg to things that she wanted to employ in the collage. Ami is due to have a baby next month so we tried to get her to sit down as much as possible because, honestly, she looked like she would just pop at any moment!
Eddie agreed to keep the snacks and food coming, Luke assisted in my "styling" and we just all had a great time together.
What a team!
Jörg took probably 1000 photos. That is not unusual. It takes that many to find the hand full of pics that say what we want them to say, if you know what I mean.
Jutta did a great job on hair and make-up. She stayed with me the entire day, which was reassuring having her trained eyes looking out for wayward hairs, crooked collars, lipstick on teeth, etc. And I felt like she really understood what I wanted. When she initially asked what style the photo shoot would be, Eddie replied, "Somewhere between Nina Hagen and Angela Merkel"! I think she got it right.
I think we all had fun. I think the day was successful: we didn't break anything at the neighbor's house, the clothes covered up my "love handles", the make-up covered up my wrinkles, Ami didn't have the baby, the food was good, the weather gorgeous, and we all parted as friends. What more could I ask for?
When I booted up my computer this morning, Jörg had sent me this one photo. He thinks it should be the cover of the new album. What do you think????

Today, I cashed in my one and only Groupon purchase; an hour-long facial at a Beauty Lounge. I was really looking forward to this. I'd had one before at another place and it was just divine. So relaxing and it did my skin good.
This one was different.
First of all, the woman talked for one solid hour. I don't think I could do that if you paid me. She was immersed in telling me exactly what she was doing and why and with what and why not.
It started off badly: She removed my make-up and used some sort of motor-powered rotating brush to foam up the facial cleanser on my skin. She rotated the foam right into my nose, and because I was on my back, it immediately ran down my nose, burning like fire, and down the back of my throat. Have you ever accidently gotten soap in your nose? Well, that's what we're talking about here.
My eyes started tearing up at the pain and I asked her to stop so that I could blow my nose. It didn't help. There was a burning pathway of pain leading through my nose and down the back of my throat. But I told her to continue. I just kept swallowing and coughing.
Did I quit? NO!

When I left the place an hour later, my nasal passage still burned.

Then she did an acid peeling (or something like that) She put some wet stuff on my skin which started making sizzling sounds as if my face was cooking in a skillet. And then it started to burn. She informed me that it MIGHT burn a bit, so she turned on a fan to cool my face while the top layer of skin was basically burned off.
Did I quit? NO!

Several minutes later that came off and then she used some sort of razor blade to beat my eyebrows into submission. She also used it to shave off irregularities on the surface of my skin. That caused quite a bit of bleeding. So, she had to stop.
Did I quit? NO!

Then she informed me that she would now massage my face with some kind of good moisturizing stuff, and to make it go deep down into my skin, she would massage it using an electric current.
She put one end of the electric charge on my chest, and one end on her leg and then put on gloves and started massaging my face. It tingled and vibrated a little bit, but was really quite pleasant. Until she got close to my eye which was still tearing a lot from the nasal passage damage earlier. When her fingers touched that path of tears, the electricity passed right up and right into my eyeball. My eye burned and is still quite red from those shocks.
When she finally finished with that massage, she took her gloves off explaining to me that the gloves disperse the electric current. Otherwise, if she touched me I would get a shock. She accidently demonstrated this by reaching for the end of the electric charge on my chest and touching my skin instead of the metal disc. Yep, I did get a shock. I have a little red burn spot now where she touched me.
Did I quit? NO!

After this hour of tension and pain, the lady tried to put some make-up on me, which was kind of hard because my nose and eyes were still dripping.

But as I left and was walking to my car, I ran into a girlfriend I hadn't seen in a while and she commented on how young I looked. (Considering how old I really am- I guess)
And when I got home, Eddie touched my face and commented on how soft and un-wrinkly my skin looked and even Luke said I had a "glow".

So, will I do it again- you betcha!

In Another Country
A German, looking for directions in Paris, pulls up to a bus stop where two Americans are waiting.

"Entschuldigung, sprechen Sie Deutsch?" he asks. The two Americans just stare at him.

"Parlez-vous franais?" he says.

The two continue to stare, so the German tries again "Parlate italiano?"

No response. "Hablan ustedes espaol?" Still nothing. Frustrated, the German guy drives off.

The first American says, "You know, we should learn a foreign language."

"Why?" asks the other. "He knew four languages, and it didn't do him any good."

Music happens not just in the notes, but in the spaces in between.

from left to right, Thomas Mark, Tommy Baldu, Jörg Dudys, Willi Wagner, Florian Sitzmann, Vilko Zanki (studio father), and Michael Koschorrek. The guys are watching a youtube video of Keith Richards arguing with Chuck Berry.


I just wound up 4 days in the studio recording the basic tracks of my new album, LIFELINES. Being in the studio with outrageously talented and creative musicians is definitely one of my most favorite things to do! A big bravo goes out to Florian Sitzmann (keyboards, piano and producer) Michael Koschorrek (guitars) Jörg Dudys ( guitars) Willi Wagner ( bass) and Tommy Baldu ( drums and all things percussive). And of course, Thomas Mark, the Obi-Wan of the sound board.
For those of you who don't know, I'm recording an album of mostly songs that I recorded over 20 years ago! Songs from the first 3 albums, C.A.E., Oh, Cae, and The Circle of Love. I'm talking about the 80's here! And the sounds on those old albums are the perfect snapshot of what was "in" at that time. Madonna, Michael Jackson, .... you know! Those 3 first albums were all produced by Dieter Falk and needless to say, he did an excellent job.
But times change.
And it was time to revisit some of those songs again and help them to move into the 21st century. I then polled you folks who read this blog and/or are friends with me on Facebook and the top 8 songs of YOUR voting are the songs we are recording. In addition, Florian and I have written 3 new songs because honestly, we just can't help ourselves! :))
These last few days have been a trip down memory lane remembering the recording techniques of 20 years ago. Reel to reel tape machines, people! And if you make a mistake, the sound engineer had to cut that out with a knife. I am not kidding!
Things are much more relaxed now in a recording studio. Mistakes don't require knives to fix them. There's more space for experimenting and relaxing with each take.
Our motto for this studio session: Less is more. There is a certain maturity in a band that has been playing and recording for a long long time. They know that music happens not just in the notes, but also in the spaces in between. The word that has been used often in the last few days to describe the arrangements and style of this album has been "ausgeschlafen", which means well-rested. Even though we were definitely NOT well-rested, the music sounds like it. I LOVE it!
There's no panic, no chaos. Just well-loved songs and texts getting the attention they deserve.
I hope you like the results....

Teen Binge-Drinking

Last night while I was making Lifelines I watched a documentary on TV about teen alcohol abuse. It's one thing to see images of 20-somethings wasted on alcohol, but quite another to see precious young 13 and 14-year olds binge- drinking with their only goal to get spewing drunk!

Am I so old-fashioned that I just don't get it? Where is the temptation in trying to reach the point that you: can't stand up, don't know who you are or where you are, have vomited and pissed (or worse) all over yourself, and are incapable of defending yourself if you needed to?
The documentary camera team followed ambulances on a typical weekend as they collected HUNDREDS of teens who were passed out and injured or involved in road accidents because of a voluntary action on their part.

I don't get it!
Don't get me wrong. I drink alcohol. Usually in the winter when our heating isn't working. Aside from that, I just don't seem to need it to find life fascinating and entertaining.
Do I sound holier-than-thou?
Now let's get practical. Who's paying for all of those ambulance trips to pick up these kids? They certainly aren't! I am. And you are!
I have an idea: I think that everytime somebody has to be picked up by an ambulance because they haven't controlled their drinking, they should be fined. Maybe 100 euros per trip. That's not a lot, but for a teen it's not a little. I wonder if it might make someone reconsider taking that "one more drink" that puts them over the edge.
And I think that if they have to be picked up twice, they must attend mandatory alcohol abuse prevention classes. How will those classes be paid for? With the fines that they have paid!
What do you think?

Pilgerreise

Yesterday I was in Kangaroo Studio working with Florian on my new album. I was really pleased to find that Johannes Falk was there putting the finishing touches on his new album, "Pilgerreise". Of course I asked to sit in and listen for a while. What a treat that was!
I heard bits and pieces of several songs from the album. All of them composed and texted by Joe. The sound is very dense but Joe's super interesting voice is well in the foreground of the mix. The texts are not complicated, but they are rich. The pictures are strong. And the melodies are such that just when you think you know where it's going to go, it takes a turn that grabs your curiosity again.
The story line of the songs is based on John Bunyon's classic christian tale, "The Pilgrim's Progress", first published in 1678! I used the same book as the basis for my album, "Welt von 1000 Wegen". I am so pleased that this young, cool singer has digested this beautiful metaphorical story for a new generation of readers.
Sitting in there for this short listening session was kind of like smelling somebody cooking a wonderful meal. It makes your mouth water and you can't wait to sink your teeth into it!

Sometimes it seems like there are so many thoughts and ideas whirring around in my befuddled brain, that I can't sort through them to find out what is important and what isn't. Do you know what I mean? Maybe a weekend at a Kloster where no one is allowed to talk would clear my head.
Or writing stuff down. That always helps!!!!
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First and foremost, I'm busy working on a new solo album. At the suggestion of Markus Bonnert, the A&R from Gerth Medien (record company) it will include new recordings of old favorites. After polling the public for some time, we now have the tracklist set. The album will also include 3 new songs that Florian and I are writing /have written together.
I've decided on a title and a photographer and the musicians who will play on the album. Each of those is a big hurdle in the decision-making process. But, oh how I love this whole creative phase of album-making!
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You may have been aware of the RTL "Das Supertalent 2010" casting show which ended last December with Freddy Sahin-Scholl winning by a landslide voting margin. What you may not know is that the songs that Freddy sang for the TV show, and on his new album, almost all have lyrics written by me! The album has moved from #4 to #3 in the German album charts and is #4 in Austria and #12 in Switzerland.
I'm amazed by Freddy's courage and belief in this album. And I'm so proud to have a part in it. He called me last week, between TV appearances, to ask me to work with him on his second album. It will be released this year by Sony Music.
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After completely selling out of Lifelines (my line of necklaces) during the Christmas tour in December, I'm super busy making new ones - A) to sell at our/my concerts and -B) to finally put some new Lifelines on my web shop. The shop has been empty for a month now, but it seems like as soon as I get a few Lifelines made, we have a concert and they're sold out again! This is such a nice predicament to be in!
Someone suggested that I "farm out" the making of the Lifelines but I just can't do that. I make each one by myself, by hand, and pray for the person who will eventually buy and wear this particular Lifeline. I can't ask somebody else to do that !!
I just want you to know that I'm making new Lifelines as fast as I can. BUT I have another concert on Saturday. Whatever is not sold there, I will photograph and put on the webshop. OK?
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So, that's the big stuff. There's lots of little stuff that I could write about, but I'll save that for later!

Business Meeting.

An interesting thing is going on in my living room right now. The ladies who sell Thermomix in this region are having a business meeting at my dining room table. The team leader had a really cool idea last summer: as a motivational tool for sales, her ladies earned tokens that they could use to pay for.... wait for it...... LIFELINES ! So, the ladies have been working really hard selling their products and collecting tokens.
Today, I decorated the living room and dining room with Lifelines, Memories, rings, spoons, book marks and lots of candles and snacks. After the business part of the evening the ladies can look, touch and try everything on. And then pick out what they want and pay for them with their tokens.
Then I redeem the tokens with the team leader for cash.
I think it's a great idea and I had a lot of fun decorating for the ladies, even though I am pretty tired from singing a concert last night. Of course, the ladies in the living room don't even know that I sing. In fact, the only thing they know about me is that I make jewelry, speak German with an American accent and that I live in a little village on a tiny street that is awfully hard to find. I kind of like "being" that person.

Smell the roses.

I've been asked to write some encouraging and WISE statements to be included in a calendar for women to go on sale next year for Brunnen Verlag.
Do you know how hard it is to be wise on command???? I mean, normally, it is very easy for me to be wise. In fact, I'm wise every day. All the time. But if someone asks me to be wise......... uhhh, nothing!
So, I carried around a little piece of paper for a few weeks in my purse. And whenever I said something wise, I would get out my little piece of paper and write it down. (much to the annoyance of whomever I was talking to! )
Today I changed purses because my old one got soaked in a torrential rain this morning. And found in the bottom of my handbag this crumpled, barely legible piece of paper containing all the wisdom I could muster the last few weeks.
This is what was written on the paper:

"It's the imperfections that make you fascinating. People who try to be 'perfect' spend way too much time doing it, usually to the detriment of other more interesting facets of their life. "

"If you think he's not listening- he actually probably is. He just doesn't know what to say."

"It's NEVER fifty/ fifty. "

" '.....THIS TOO SHALL PASS' . This makes the sad man happy and the happy man sad. The sick man hopeful and the healthy man fearful. This makes the poor man work and the wealthy man rest. "

"Be glad your husband is different from you. You don't need a Mini-Me. So stop trying to turn him into one."

"Relationships, like seasons, are cyclical. If you don't like how things are now- just wait. They'll change. "

"If you want to stay close to your son, always act like you like his girlfriend."

Is all the brilliance of the universe encapsulated in those statements? Nope. I sure hope not. 'Cause that would be pretty sorry!
But it is definitely stuff I've learned and/or are learning. Becoming wise is an on-going process. (Was that another wise statement??!!)
What I really wanted to write though, might not apply to all women. But it certainly applies to mothers.
You know when your children are small and you say, "This is my son/daughter."?. And you kind of have the feeling that they are your possessions and you take them a little bit for granted and they get on your nerves a lot and are a complete and utter joy and adventure? And there are never enough hours in the day for everyone and everything?
Then those children grow up and one day you realize, once and for all, they are NOT your possessions in the least! Because, without asking your permission, they've grown up and are gone. They no more belong to you than the rose blooming in my garden.
And I still hear myself saying with a large dose of pride, "This is my son!"
And I still take crazy amounts of photographs because I know that Luke getting his high school diploma from the European School in Karlsruhe and then playing guitar for the graduation ceremony will only happen once.
And Alex receiving his Masters diploma in Business Administration from University of East Anglia in Norwich, England will only happen once and it is worth the flight to England to be there and photograph that moment.
I remember being advised so many times when my children were babies, "Oh, enjoy this time, because it will pass so quickly".
And I'm learning that the baby age was actually slow in passing when compared to my sons' walking across the stage to receive their well-earned diplomas.
Those moments are a heartbeat, a blink of the eye, a breathing in and breathing out- and then they're over.
What I really wanted to write on my little piece of paper was something wise that I have learned that sounds probably too Buddhist or Tao for a lot of people. But here goes:
Live Now. Consciously. Stop and smell the roses. They will be gone too soon.

"Life is all memory except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going." Tennessee Williams

Would you share your stories with me?

Hi there!
I'm working on a new album. Yup. It's about time, right?
The plan right now is to take some of my older repertoire from early albums, (like C.A.E. and Oh, Cae and Alive and Circle of Love andWelt von 1000 Wegen) and "re-dress" them. Just get rid of their old clothes and put on some clothes that fit our sound world of today. After all, some of the songs are almost 25 years old! Would you wear the clothes you wore 25 years ago???? I wouldn't. I couldn't! :)
My request to you: What are you favourite songs from those earlier albums? This is the first time EVER that I have entertained requests for an album. I'm curious to hear which songs have meant a lot to you. I would really love it if you could also write your associations and/or experiences with a song. That is what brings music alive. When a song touches a person, reaches into their heart and mind and accompanies them through a time of their lives.
Would you share your stories with me?
For your viewing pleasure I've added here two pictures from circa 1988. One is me with Dieter Falk, and one with Lothar Kosse. Smile!

Darling Domestic Animals

I have had cats and I have had dogs and this detailed description of trying to medicate your darling domestic animal is oh, so TRUE!

How to Give a Cat a Pill
1. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby.
Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cats mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth.
Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa.
Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.

4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm, holding rear paws tightly with left hand.
Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe.
Call spouse in from the garden.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws.
Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail.
Get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit.
Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans and drink one beer to take taste away. Apply band-aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed.
Get another pill. Open another beer. Place cat in cupboard, and close door onto neck, to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges. Drink beer. Fetch bottle of scotch. Pour shot, drink.
Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Apply whiskey compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back another shot. Throw tee-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom
.
12. Call fire department to retrieve the damn cat from the top of the tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat.
Take last pill from foil wrap.

13. Using heavy-duty pruning gloves from shed, tie the little *&#%^'s front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of filet steak. Be rough about it. Hold head vertically and pour two pints of water down throat to wash pill down.

14. Consume remainder of scotch. Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room. Sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.

15. Arrange for RSPCA to collect mutant cat from hell and call local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.

How To Give A Dog A Pill
1. Wrap it in bacon.
2. Toss it in the air.

Now who could these two people be?

Mother's Day

What is the hardest AND the easiest job in the world? Being a Mother. And today, we celebrate mothers. Our own, and the ones we know. I stood in the grocery store in front of a package of vanilla wafers yesterday and cried. My Mom loved vanilla wafers. She always carried some in her purse in case she or one of us kids got hungry. The last gift she was given, the day before she died, was a box of vanilla wafers. It is interesting to me to find out that thinking of her still makes me cry. I miss her. She loved me unconditionally.
I realize that not everyone is lucky enough to have an amazing mother like I did.
My two boys have an amazing mother. Yes, I am a good mother! Just ask me!!! :) I don't "mother" like you do. I "mother" like I do. In a way that comes natural to me and I think is best for my boys. Do I get it wrong sometimes? You better believe it! But my boys know that I love them unconditionally with all my heart.
This is a year of graduation for my sons. One will graduate from Gymnasium and one will graduate from graduate school with a master's degree. Would I love them if they didn't succeed? Yes. Would I be disappointed in them because I (and only I) can see the enormous potential in these two people? Yes. Are my sons talented, smart, good-looking, multi-faceted, kind and compassionate human beings? Well, of course!
I am their ally and their catalyst, their prayer warrior and their cheer-leader.
It's a great job! I wouldn't trade with anyone.

LIFE

On Saturday I had the great honor of singing a benefit concert for the Beratungstelle Aus-Weg?! http://www.ausweg-pforzheim.de/start.html What an amazing work this handful of people do. So much time, energy, love and money poured into women and men affected by unwanted pregnancies or the emotional pain of coming to grips with past abortions. They are supported solely by private donations because the State will only financially support organizations that provide neutral options to women. This Beratungstelle is anything but neutral. They invest in LIFE. They provide contacts, counseling, money, refuge, and medical referrals in the hopes that some women considering abortion can find the strength to give their baby a fighting chance at LIFE.
I put together a program especially aimed at affirming the LIFE we've been given. Some songs that I've sung countless times took on a whole new meaning in the light of this particular theme. Songs like "Bridge over Troubled Water", "God Bless the Child" "Ich Steh zu Dir", "Seele, Was Ermüdst du Dich", "Weiter auf dem Weg", "Wir Fallen Hin" and "Seine Gnade" can be balsam for the troubled soul.
I'm so thankful for each of these songs- and so many others as well. And thankful that the Holy Spirit carries them in careful hands to so many hearts and minds.
The last song of the program was "Mutterseelenallein". I haven't sung it for years and I must admit, there was an emotional hurdle for me to jump to sing it to this audience.
It is a very personal song, recorded while I was pregnant with my youngest son, Luke. He was diagnosed in utero with a debilitating handicap and it was suggested that I seriously consider an abortion. It turned out that the tests were very badly mistaken and Luke is a brilliant young man who is about to graduate from Gymnasium with a major in economics and philosophy.
And he is so full of LIFE.

Happy Birthday to Me !

You know, you can say what you will about Facebook, (and I definitely feel mixed pickles about FB) but one thing is really cool: I've had almost 100 wonderful birthday wishes come my way over FB today. So many people, some I know and some I don't, thinking, at least for a few moments on me, and caring enough to write a few words to me on my birthday. Some even sending me pictorial wishes like this one from Feli Wolf. Happy Cae!

I got a card today from my darling neighbors and I'm considering writing a song lyric using these thoughts from Mutter Theresa:

DAS LEBEN IST EINE CHANCE

Das Leben ist eine Chance, nutze sie.
Das Leben ist Schönheit, bewundere sie.
Das Leben ist ein Traum, verwirkliche ihn.
Das Leben ist eine Pflicht, erfülle sie.
Das Leben ist ein Spiel, spiele es.
Das Leben ist kostbar, gehe sorgfältig damit um.
Das Leben ist Liebe, erfreue dich an ihr.
Das Leben ist ein Rätsel, durchdringe es.
Das Leben ist Versprechen, erfülle es.
Das Leben ist eine Hymne, singe sie.
Das Leben ist Herausforderung, stelle dich ihr.
Das Leben ist ein Abenteuer, wage es.
Das Leben ist Glück, verdiene es.
Das Leben ist das Leben, verteidige es.

Sorry, those of you who can't read German, but I'm not going to spend my birthday translating this. Maybe later.....

Thomas Mark, the audio engineer at Kangaroo Studios called me to wish me happy birthday and told me this joke-
So a Catholic priest, a Muslim and a Rabi were having a discussion about "When Does Life Begin". The Catholic priest said that Life begins the moment of conception. The Muslim countered and said that Life begins the moment the baby takes its' first breath after birth, and the Rabi said, "No, no, Life begins when the kids finally leave the house and the dog dies!"
And on that note........