Maybe there were no epic flashes of green light, archetypal struggles of good and evil, or flashy stage lighting, but last night was a moment, even if a little understated. My CD Release Party for "Night Escape" proved to be a wonderful evening, with close friends and family in attendance. Alongside fellow singer-songwriter/guitarist Danny Leonard, I delivered my set at 10 PM at the Waltz-Astoria (complete with songs from my album as well as covers from legends such as Roy Orbison). I found the audience to be generously attentive, and very willing to share in this moment with me. I also know that many were there in spirit......
Because my album had already made it down to Rio De Janeiro before the party! Here are two friends of mine (near Ipanema, perhaps?) Lorraine Serabian (my performance teacher and Broadway veteran) and opera mezzo-soprano and actress Marina Cyrino. Although the two of them are currently busy running an acting workshop in Rio, the two took time to pose with me, who was there in spirit as well (or in album-incarnation). What this pictures reinforces for me is how music, as well as other forms of art take on a life of their own once completed, because they had a life of their own in the grasps of muses before their creation. These muses may have creative wishes for all, but unfortunately many never realize fully them. So indeed, against all forms of resistance, struggles, and doubts, my album was indeed the album that lived...
And, to some extent, this album really IS a birth of my vision as a musician for my songs as well. If a live performance is life the performer, then the album is life given to the music itself, along with the songs, and the forces which brought them into being. It is on the album where I got to record all kinds of instruments ranging from accordion to baritone guitar, and bring together this music with touches of cinematic gravitas (I hope). I also just found out that someone I don't know recently bought "Night Escape" on CD Baby, which I think is awesome and fascinating. It's really my hope that this music can continue to find its way to new listeners....
Thanks again to all that came out last night...here are some pictures:
More updates to come! Thanks for reading.
-Eric Contractor