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Every song on EVERYTHING CHANGED is worthy of a Grammy in either pop, rock, or blues.
The bonus DVD includes lives performances of Pull Away (the solo version linked to from Abra Moore Than Lives Up To Her Name; another version accompanied by Strings Attached string quartet), Guitar Song, and Family Affair. The DVD also includes lyrics accompanied by the music of each song. The live, accompanied performances were recorded in an Austin church in 2002. Abra looks lovely in a turquoise and burgundy sequined dress. She plays piano on Pull Away, Family Affair; and acoustic guitar on Guitar Song. The sense of an Abra live performance is captured in this atmospheric, dimly lit setting. Abra nearly cries with the deep emotion of Family Affair when she asks "Is there ever enough love? Ever enough?" Family Affair was written for her step-mother when they were not getting along. They have since reportedly reconciled. Seeing Abra as songstress/priestess is more than worth the cost of the CD/bonus DVD. What a bonus/great deal!
Abra's new album EVERYTHING CHANGED was released March 23, 2004. It includes all No Fear songs except "Let's Do It For Love," "First Date," "Trip On Love," "Someone Else's Mess" and "Home." Thankfully, it will be more "Abra-fied"--though "Trip On Love" sounds like Abra could have written it; and she did co-write "Let's Do It For Love." The new cuts include "Everything Changed," "I Do," "If You Want Me To," "Melancholy Love," and "Pull Away." Singles include "Big Sky/I Do" and "Everything Changed/I Do." Prediction: "Shining Star" and "Pull Away" will also be singles. For more information, see Abra Moore.com and click on "News."
Billboard Story of December 12, 2003
(NEW YORK) - After a long absence from recording, singer/songwriter Abra Moore will return March 9 with "Everything Changed" (Koch Entertainment). The set was recorded with producers Jay Joyce (Tim Finn, Lisa Germano), Saddle Creek Records co-founder Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, The Faint) and Mitch Watkins, who produced her 1995 debut, "Sing," and the 1997 follow-up "Strangest Places." The set comes after work on a planned 2002 album for J Records that ultimately did not satisfy Moore and was never released. The result found the Poi Dog Pondering member amicably ultimately exiting the label. "I understood what they wanted and needed and I gave it my best shot," Moore says. "I put my heart into the songs, but in the end, they weren't mine. It just wasn't me." The 13 songs that make up "Everything Changed" can be sampled on Moore's official Web site. Video of a hometown Austin, Texas, performance of "Pull Away," originally not intended for the set but now included in its track list, is also posted on the site. "I'm just now beginning to discover my voice and grow into it," she says. "I'm just letting it be. It's like a birthing, where I let whatever came out of my mouth be what it was going to be, without being too self-conscious." (end Billboard story)
"Pull Away" asks a universal question, which has special significance for performers, "can we try to stay together as we pull away?" Listening with a receptive heart, the answer is "more than try." The beauty of this song helps bridge separations between you and loved ones--even though it was written in a romantic context. The video of this enchanting, introspective ballad can be viewed/heard by clicking on the "Pull Away" link near the bottom of Abra Moore Than Lives Up To Her Name. Real One Player or Real Player 8 (for Windows NT or Windows 95; or Mac Os 9.1) is needed to view it. Real One Player can be downloaded free at Real.com. The free download is in upper right corner of this page. Real Player 8 can be downloaded at Real Player 8 downloads. Real 1 Player is needed for "Everything Changed" audio links:
While most of the songs are Abra-written, there is more collaboration on No Fear (No Fear, Shining Star, Let's Do It For Love, Big Sky). First Date, Home, Trip On Love, and Someone Else's Mess are written by others. Everything Changed is all Abra except "I'm Not In Love" which is added to the end of Shining Star.
First Date (only on No Fear) is an sounding '50's-like description of what the title suggests. "Stay up all night and talk a little longer Stay up all night and our friendship becomes stronger. Stay up all night leave our daily lives behind." Charming and memorable.
Let's Do It For Love(only on No Fear) is her mainstream sounding take on the Golden Rule. "Money, power, sex, fame" are the non-love motives chanted as opening prelude to a bouncy "there's a million reasons why we do the things we have to do...concluding with "We need one." Lyrically reminiscent of the Beatle's "The Word -Love" and Jackie DeShannon's "What the World Needs Now is Love."
No need to adjust your CD player for No Fear. It begins with intentional "record-static" apparently suggesting an earlier slow jazz era. It morphs into a more upbeat pop-jazz fusion (occasional trumpet for first time on Abra song) which is soothing, catchy and uplifting. When she softly suggests "Stay awhile, won't you stay here in front of me. Take your chances on what could be. And when it's cold out, feel no fear"--you just might feel she is singing only to you. Lets you feel what the title suggests.
Family Affair
is not a cover of Sly and the Family Stone's oldie. This slow, somber, piano-backed look at the pains of family living will no doubt find itself on film and television soundtracks. * Could also be used fruitfully by family therapists to encourage heart-felt communication. "How do we begin to say I love you? How do we begin to say I forgive you. How do we begin to repair this family affair?" Lovely.
*Sure enough--the February 28, 2003 Passions daytime drama did just that. It's also been on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Felicity. Video below:
Home (only on No Fear) is hoping to recapture love-gone-wrong-through-inattention. "There's a million places I can go but without you it ain't home. Say it's not too late...Show me the way to make a start show me the road back to your heart." With backing strings and a moderately paced, Phil Spector sounding wall of sound, it rises to a crescendo of hope not yet fulfilled. Poignant and moving. Made the soundtrack of the tv spy drama Alias.
How do you relate to a cruel ex? Shining Star embodies her answer--which tries to keep friendly feelings and loving heart intact. The enchanting, uplifting sound and nostalgic steel guitar suggest she is succeeding despite doubts and recriminations:
"As blind as I am as cruel as you are should've known we'd never get too far...What if I keep your heart and pretend I can't tell...What if I travel the world and only see your face?" The negativity is gloriously melted in a resurrection of hearts "Shining shining shining shining......." The listener is swept up in a cleansing experience that merits more than a Grammy (Saint Abra has a nice ring). Shining Star is one of those songs of a lifetime that transforms and transcends both music and audience. Made me cry when I heard it live before I had the CD.
Taking Chances is vintage Abra--dreamily melodic with poetic, introspective lyrics that stand on their own. "I'm walking backwards into the future This world is getting too deep." Wonderfully catchy and ever-fresh. Backed by her former, master lead guitarist and producer Mitch Watkins. This was on the soundtrack of a late 2002 Dawson's Creek. Video below:
Someone Else's Mess sounds like it just stepped off the Beatle's Magical Mystery Tour. With humor and mildly suggestive lyrics she considers getting involved while recognizing we all carry other people's messes. Is on the soundtrack of the film Serving Sara.
If you saw the film Cruel Intentions, you may recall Trip On Love. Abra has a knack for choosing great songs penned by others and this is no exception. World beat rhythms synchronized with great accentuation of the right words "TRIP on love." Thought provoking lyrics include "Do you run from magic Do you make it tragic Do you trip on love?" Another ultra catchy sing along.
Big Sky takes you away from it all "6 o'clock we'll be taking flight. So high... just you and me and the big sky...it's all we are. It's all we are. Forever." Great upbeat and mystical-unifying poetic lyrics energize and inspire. Will coax some hesitant fliers into the skies. Big Sky is one of the first singles from Everthing Changed and is the subject of No Fear Wedding Gift Story.
The final three songs express deeply painful losses. The pains are soothed however by the enchanting sounds--so that in time the listener's resistance to the pain is gradually melted.
Paint On Your Wings is a heartbreaking ode to her artist-father who died after a long, painful illness. "Paint on your wings. It's time to fly." Acoustic guitar and raw emotion will probably make you love your father more. Tragic, ill-fated companion to Sing (1995) written for her mother who died when she was four.
I Win suggests that an ultimatum was given--without the hoped for result "I win...you finally lost me. You're letting me go, I'm walking away...it's true it's true I'm falling apart and I can't get you out of my heart...You're letting me go... I'm walking away...holding onto something so wrong." This song will grow on you with its haunting melodies.
For a few words at the start of
The End "I just know it," she seems to "channel" Jewel. But then it's all Abra. "I took down all your pictures it helps me with the pain." With her right on acoustic guitar you find, as with I Win, another mastery of the blues.
Even though No Fear has not been released in the U.S., the following songs from it have already been on television and movie soundtracks:
Taking Chances: Dawson's Creek*
Family Affair: Passions, Buffy The Vampire Slayer (tv)
Home: Alias
Films:
Trip On Love: Cruel Intentions
Someone Else's Mess: Serving Sara
*voted "Most Memorable Musical Moment" of Season 5
Melancholy Love
A reflection on a youthful, romance, the 4+ beats/second bass background creates an exotic feel and sound that are mesmerizing. "We were running wild and young It was only just for fun... wasn't it...melancholy love. ....So tell me why I feel so sad about it. Tell me why."
I Do
Written for a friend suffering a major depression. The lyrics are in a similar vein as Your Faithful Friend (Strangest Places), and Somebody Who Cares (Sing). "Every once in a while something's got to bring you back. All the stars in the sky can't make you remember why Who could ever understand. But I do......Who's going to shine the light who still believes in you? I do....Every once in awhile, something's got to break to give." Nice moderate beat and touching lyrics make you hope it has the wished for effects. Some people will find its prayerful feel better than anti-depressants.
Everything Changed
The words remind me of the golden oldie "Slow Down" made famous by the Beatles. Musically, the song is very different than "Slow Down"--slow and somber rather than upbeat and fast. Here Abra is reminding herself (rather than the Beatles plea to a crush) "Slow down, moving too fast, nothing will last. Slow down." Expresses what happened as she changed record labels from J (and the unreleased No Fear) to Koch (Everything Changed). A meditation on the always changing aspect of life reminiscent of George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass."
If You Want Me To
"If you want me to I'll turn back around and forget the whole deal....Sometimes signals get crossed and love gets lost." Thoughtful lyrics and sweet, moderately paced melody backed by strings and horns. Makes you want to know more of the story. Another likely film and tv soundtrack.
