New Jennifer Avalon Interview added to the interview page.
Jennifer Avalon: Ten Questions
Q: Jennifer, you’ve wrapped up recording Atrium,….tell us about it…the songs, and the style.
A: Well, this CD has more songs on it than usual…12 to be exact. Overall I would say it has a kind of “Americana” feel to it…though there is a song called Moon Over Tuscany that I wrote in remembrance of Luciano Pavarotti, which has a European feel to it. But I did a cover of the classic Shenandoah, with original arrangements, and there’s an original song called America,…so, overall it has that “Americana” feel I would say. I really enjoyed making it.
Q: You release and post your songs as they are being recorded. Why do you not wait until the album is complete?
A: Ha! It takes around a month to write, arrange, record, and master each song…why keep myself and my audience waiting until the whole shebang is complete? Who has the time to wait anymore?
Q: I hear you. Tell us a little about your original songs, and the traditional standards you recorded.
A: You mean, what are the original songs about? A whole spectrum of things. I don’t write anything unless I feel I have something to say. Just to write a song to say I’ve written one is silly to me. Each one has to mean something, to me. As far as the cover songs like Loch Lomond, it’s a real honor and privilege to be able to take a beloved song from the past and put a fresh spin on it, and let it back out into the world to be rediscovered.
Q: So many of your songs are very popular, like Island Waters, and One Good Deed, and Milk and Honey,…why do you think they have so much longevity?
A: Well, Island Waters, for instance, takes a person to the ocean and to a Heavenly place…at least, that’s what I was trying to accomplish! I guess it worked! With all the natural disasters that befall this planet, I think that’s why One Good Deed stands out to the fans. Milk and Honey is my experience with being born again. I think many people can relate to that.
Q: Peace In the Valley, Crossroads, Paradox, Atrium,…what does each album mean to you?
A: Different times in my life. Each album represents different phases of my experience…like a little time capsule!
Q: Indeed. Do you enjoy doing videos?
A: Initially I was hesitant because it’s one thing to be behind the scenes, in a sense, and another to be in front…you know what I mean? But the experience has been great…I’m looking forward to the next video actually. They are a challenge, and another form of expression for the music. By challenge I mean that they involve a different set of creative endeavor than just sitting down and writing a song….but that’s fine.
Q: I understand a movie is in the works for next year with you in the main role.
A: Where did you hear that? That’s supposed to be Top Secret!
 Q: Oh, sorry! I guess someone on your team spoke too soon.
A: That’s okay…happens all the time.
Q: Okay…your essays mean a lot to people. Where do you get the inspiration?
A: Have you ever watched a rock sitting in the middle of a stream, and watched the water flowing over and around it? The rock stays in one place, but the water constantly is swirling over and around it. That’s how inspiration feels to me. I can sit still, and suddenly I feel this flow of information…I guess I could call it information, like water, and it has to be translated into either words, or sound. Does that make sense?
Q: Well, yes, although I am more of a nuts and bolts type of person. But I love your analogy! Music, essays, books, videos, movies…what’s next for Jennifer Avalon?
A: A vacation! (laughter) No, I’m just kidding. Why, is there anything else I should be doing?
Q: I can’t think of it!
A: Well, that’s good! (laughter)
Q: What will the next CD, Clarion, sound like?
A: The first song has already been recorded and is at the site. It’s called Marci, and I am really pleased how it turned out. The second song has already been recorded, an instrumental, and I am working on the third, at the moment. I just write from the heart…I don’t really know the overall shape of the CD until it’s complete. Then I usually notice a particular flavor.
Q: Wonderful. Thanks so much Jennifer for taking the time to answer my questions.
A: You’re welcome. Hope to do this again soon.
Q: For sure.
AVALON: Timeless & Free
Aviator Records is proud to release Jennifer Avalon’s new CD Atrium, the latest addition to Jennifer’s remarkable career that over the past decade has reached over 90 countries. Atrium like her other CD’s can be completely downloaded for free at her website, www.jenniferavalon.net. Jennifer is another one of the few artists who are finding unusual ways to reach out and expand their fan base.
Atrium touches on all facets of Ms. Avalon’s muse, with new original material such as The Carnival, Milk and Honey, and One Good Deed, while offering unique versions of traditional classics like, Shenandoah, Loch Lomond, and her refreshing rendition of the World War I classic Pack Up Your Troubles. Atrium offers a little bit of magic for everyone, through the warm voice of a rare artist.
Contact: Michael Boland
press@aviatorrecords.com
Website information:
Essay: Success Does Not = Money
New essay Success Does Not = Money added to the essay page.
Success Does Not = Money
How can one put a price on a happy home, or a warm family? How can you place a price on a job or occupation that you love to do each day? Does a peaceful mind have a price? Yet, why do we as a society assign top value based upon monetary value?
Each morning many rise and partake in different forms of exercise…it prepares them for the day ahead and helps a person keep their health, deal with stress and maintain a level of fitness. After these activities are performed does it ever cross our minds to say, How much money did I make from this? Probably not. I could go on and on with examples of how daily, weekly, and yearly successes add value to our lives, yet not to our overall income. Some may argue that good health does contribute to income…I guess in a roundabout way it does, but that depends upon what one considers truly valuable.
When we help others, through prayer and effort, do we ever stop to think how much we made from these endeavors? Or do we look at them as contributions and efforts that make us better human beings? Do all the latest toys have lasting value…if they do, then why is it many material items devalue with age? A friend recently told me, Jennifer, do you know that once you drive a new car out of the dealership garage, it almost instantaneously loses half its value? When a person gets sick, can we place a true value on those that help them get well, free of charge?
Love, Peace, Warmth, and Soul….if these can be placed in a bank account, would those who have them be considered wealthy? I guess it all depends on societies interpretation of value. Somewhere along the way some strange oddball decisions have to be decided…do we spend the better part of our day chasing the dollar bill? Or following the heart?
One thing that’s for certain, at the end of our lives physical and material success cannot be taken with us….yet the bounty of the Soul transcends with us into Paradise.
Treasure is in the eye of the beholder,
Jennifer Avalon
© 2008 Jennifer Avalon
Song: Marci
August Song: Marci
The August Song of the Month will be Marci, a new original song from the first sessions for Jennifer’s next release Clarion. Marci will premier August 1st.
Essay: Deal Or No Deal
New essay Deal Or No Deal added.
Deal Or No Deal
Many of us have seen the successful show hosted here in the United States with Howie Mandel called Deal or No Deal. I find the show quite fascinating…it’s interesting to watch how far people are willing to go to reach the case with the top financial prize. So many try to climb that ladder, and unfortunately few succeed.
Deal Or No Deal kind of reminds me of another show that operated along the same premise….that show was hosted by Monty Hall and was called Let’s Make A Deal.That show also tested the contestants to see how far they would go before they would take the money and walk away.
So how about you? How much does it take for us as individuals to keep climbing up the ladder, letting it ride or say, That’s as far as I want to go. Each year we hear of many employees taking early buyouts, putting them on the fast track to retirement. Those sweetheart deals seem to be coming less and less these days.
In a recent conversation with a friend of mine we had a chuckle or two about the show Deal Or No Deal. Surprisingly, both of us would quite easily walk away within the 250 to 300 thousand dollar range. Call us chicken, but with each roll of the dice after that, the chances of financial windfall greatly diminish. Here’s a crazy question I have for you all out there….if someone showed up at your door with a million dollar check, and said to you, You can have this check, if you agree to not do any more substantial work in your life. That means, all other goals are null and void. Would you do it….would you take the check? Sounds great in theory, but it’s surprising how fast a million dollars can go through some people’s hands. Not to mention, does life get strange and boring if there are no goals to strive for? Some I know would take the money and run, while others may hesitate.
I believe the reason these shows like Deal Or No Deal are successful is because it forces us to think and contemplate what we would do…how far we would go before we would be willing and content to cash out. It’s a great way to examine all our wants and needs. Those weekly contestants, deep down, represent all of us, while the spotlight shines on their blessings and flaws. The people who seem to do the best on those type of shows are the ones who know what they want and need before the game begins.
Roll the dice wisely,
Jennifer Avalon
© 2008 Jennifer Avalon
News: New Letter from Jennifer
The letter from Jennifer Avalon has been updated.
Jennifer Avalon 