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jadedmusingsWestern North Carolina is full of talented folks ranging from artists to musicians. There's something in the water around here, I swear.
Last night Sam, the kiddo, and I went to an open mic night at The Pizza Shoppe in Spruce Pine, NC. Local musicians from the area played and there was even one woman who did belly dancing, and she was gorgeous plus-sized gal who was so comfortable in her own skin. Everyone loved what she did. I'm still wondering how her hips moved like that. I told Sam it was like watching Tony Jaa's fight scenes in Ong Bak. Hips aren't supposed to do that! (And if you have seen that movie and/or know who Tony Jaa is, give yourself a pat on the back.)
Anyway, Sam's youngest sister asked her some questions and it turns out she teaches in a town about an hour's drive from here. We are definitely considering trying to look into taking classes at some point. Right now, I don't know how feasible it is, however, I have wanted to learn belly dancing for years.
Let's see, there was also a man who played Native American flute and I am now apparently involved in a family conspiracy aimed at getting me to play flute again. Sam's sister seems convinced that I need to get a flute again and practice so I can play for her while she sings for some awesome duets. I pointed out that I have never fared well playing for crowds, but I think that doesn't matter. They know I have music talent now (or used to at any rate) and they want to hear it, even told me I'd get refreshers on how to read music (I remember the basics and know my notes, but I completely blank on time heh).
There was a gentleman who played a song he'd just finished writing that night. Story went that his buddy called him up and said, "Hey, there's an open mic night. Want to come?" He did well despite only having finished it mere hours before.
Oh! I met a Kennedy, too. Not sure how closely he's related to JFK et al, but he was certainly dressed the part and had that notable Massachusettes accent and he definitely shared a family resemblence.
After Sam's dad's band played (they were pretty awesome as usual, by the way, even though they forgot the words a couple of time, silly people), the woman responsible for organizing the open mic night got up there with a guitar. She was a petite lady and when she started singing, I was blown away. She had this voice like Norah Jones and Fiona Apple, something I wasn't expecting. A nice bluesy, smoky alto voice that just about knocked me back in my chair. She had some CDs for sale for five bucks and I picked it up. Best five bucks I've ever spent on music, no lie. (As I said on Twitter last night: Girl crush. I has one. I liked her page on Facebook and hope I can catch announcements for when she's playing nearby. It also helps that Sam's dad, uncle, and friend know her personally.)
Her name is Polly Lorien, and while her band is apparently no longer together and she's a solo act, you can check out her music at her band's/her website. If you get a chance, listen to some of the sample tracks on there, and I can't reccomend "The Lady (Must Be Free)" and "No No No" enough. In fact, have some lyrics as copied from her page. I don't even normally like this genre of music, but I am in love with the album I picked up last night.
The Lady (Must Be Free)
by Polly Lorien - 2010
I know a gal who is sharp as a tack.
When we're rompin' in the honkey-tonk,
She's got my back.
Then she's hoppin' a freight,
Clickety-clack down the track.
The lady must be free (2x)
She's part buckaroo & part Medusa, too.
Try to stick it to her, she will sock it to you.
You think she's a myth,
But every word is true.
No man can tie her down -
But they try the whole world 'round!
Her soul holds a sliver of Amelia Earhart,
Wanderlust is fillin' up her heart.
When you ask her Why?
She don't know where to start, but
The lady must be free (2x)
Sittin' by the fire, take a thug from the jug.
If you get her feelin' frisky,
She can cut up a rug.
Now you're actin' like a junkie,
'Cuz her love is a drug.
Nothin' makes her feel afraid,
For the rodeo she leads the parade.
Why even try to catch her eye?
Before you can blink, she's taken
To the sky.
Here is a bird that don't need wings to fly!
The lady must be free (2x)
Even Wild Bill couldn't get his fill.
She knows the back of her hand
like she knows those hills.
A mistress of all trades, schemes, & skills,
she can drive a railroad stake,
Turn around & bake you a cake.
Her soul holds a sliver of Amelia Earhart,
Wanderlust is fillin' up her heart.
When you ask her Why?
She don't know where to start, but
The lady must be free (2x)
Last night Sam, the kiddo, and I went to an open mic night at The Pizza Shoppe in Spruce Pine, NC. Local musicians from the area played and there was even one woman who did belly dancing, and she was gorgeous plus-sized gal who was so comfortable in her own skin. Everyone loved what she did. I'm still wondering how her hips moved like that. I told Sam it was like watching Tony Jaa's fight scenes in Ong Bak. Hips aren't supposed to do that! (And if you have seen that movie and/or know who Tony Jaa is, give yourself a pat on the back.)
Anyway, Sam's youngest sister asked her some questions and it turns out she teaches in a town about an hour's drive from here. We are definitely considering trying to look into taking classes at some point. Right now, I don't know how feasible it is, however, I have wanted to learn belly dancing for years.
Let's see, there was also a man who played Native American flute and I am now apparently involved in a family conspiracy aimed at getting me to play flute again. Sam's sister seems convinced that I need to get a flute again and practice so I can play for her while she sings for some awesome duets. I pointed out that I have never fared well playing for crowds, but I think that doesn't matter. They know I have music talent now (or used to at any rate) and they want to hear it, even told me I'd get refreshers on how to read music (I remember the basics and know my notes, but I completely blank on time heh).
There was a gentleman who played a song he'd just finished writing that night. Story went that his buddy called him up and said, "Hey, there's an open mic night. Want to come?" He did well despite only having finished it mere hours before.
Oh! I met a Kennedy, too. Not sure how closely he's related to JFK et al, but he was certainly dressed the part and had that notable Massachusettes accent and he definitely shared a family resemblence.
After Sam's dad's band played (they were pretty awesome as usual, by the way, even though they forgot the words a couple of time, silly people), the woman responsible for organizing the open mic night got up there with a guitar. She was a petite lady and when she started singing, I was blown away. She had this voice like Norah Jones and Fiona Apple, something I wasn't expecting. A nice bluesy, smoky alto voice that just about knocked me back in my chair. She had some CDs for sale for five bucks and I picked it up. Best five bucks I've ever spent on music, no lie. (As I said on Twitter last night: Girl crush. I has one. I liked her page on Facebook and hope I can catch announcements for when she's playing nearby. It also helps that Sam's dad, uncle, and friend know her personally.)
Her name is Polly Lorien, and while her band is apparently no longer together and she's a solo act, you can check out her music at her band's/her website. If you get a chance, listen to some of the sample tracks on there, and I can't reccomend "The Lady (Must Be Free)" and "No No No" enough. In fact, have some lyrics as copied from her page. I don't even normally like this genre of music, but I am in love with the album I picked up last night.
The Lady (Must Be Free)
by Polly Lorien - 2010
I know a gal who is sharp as a tack.
When we're rompin' in the honkey-tonk,
She's got my back.
Then she's hoppin' a freight,
Clickety-clack down the track.
The lady must be free (2x)
She's part buckaroo & part Medusa, too.
Try to stick it to her, she will sock it to you.
You think she's a myth,
But every word is true.
No man can tie her down -
But they try the whole world 'round!
Her soul holds a sliver of Amelia Earhart,
Wanderlust is fillin' up her heart.
When you ask her Why?
She don't know where to start, but
The lady must be free (2x)
Sittin' by the fire, take a thug from the jug.
If you get her feelin' frisky,
She can cut up a rug.
Now you're actin' like a junkie,
'Cuz her love is a drug.
Nothin' makes her feel afraid,
For the rodeo she leads the parade.
Why even try to catch her eye?
Before you can blink, she's taken
To the sky.
Here is a bird that don't need wings to fly!
The lady must be free (2x)
Even Wild Bill couldn't get his fill.
She knows the back of her hand
like she knows those hills.
A mistress of all trades, schemes, & skills,
she can drive a railroad stake,
Turn around & bake you a cake.
Her soul holds a sliver of Amelia Earhart,
Wanderlust is fillin' up her heart.
When you ask her Why?
She don't know where to start, but
The lady must be free (2x)
