FAILURE GATES
(based on 'Brooklyn sometimes' by Kurt Rosenwinkel/
Original lyrics by Xavier Casellas/arr. Emilio Solla)
Light rain
washed away
the hopes that we shared
somehow we just didn't care
finding it hard to bear
I try to find a way
to truly say the most and very words
to proof us wrong
a new song
a different end.
Your voice begins to fade
across the dismal sight
of failure gates
impossibly tall
(it's lock) too small
for my key to fit
and so I search within
hoping the wind would bring
your distant voice that sings so playfully:
"the game's still on, are you on?"
...or is this too late?
I always thought that we
still climbed that same tree
together you and me
was I so_ terr'bly wrong
as for me
still ache for the touch
that meant so much
in my mind remains
driving me insane
coming back
keeps haunting me
hopelessly pathetic
gotta get it, gotta get it, got-ta
get it out
Once sweet now tastes so sour
When did it go wrong?
our love was strong enough
baby now the shock is overwhelming
I need to know
your eyes won't show
you feel the same.
Your voice begins to fade
across the dismal sight
of failure gates...
...or is this too late?
Any fool had understood
the rising clouds of smoke so obvious
and still ignored it
pushing out my luck too far and so here we are
What a fool I've never been so scared in my life
need to know
so tell me I'll find you
won't live without you.
Light rain
washed away...
...a new song
a different end.
PEACE TO FIND
(O.Feldman/X.Casellas)
If I could find a decent reason
maybe at last I'd learn to deal with pain
now that you're gone life means so little
everything I hoped for, everything was in vain.
My heart keeps swearing that you're still in town
my mind despairing, you just can't be found
I'd trade my soul for one last time
a glimpse into your eyes to build myself peace of mind.
These city streets are filled with people
I watch how they rush into their frenzied race
what's on their minds I'd give a nickel
funny being so close and yet be miles away.
My heart keeps swearing that you're still in town
my mind despairing, you just can't be found.
Can't find my tears among the swirling crowds.
If I could cry, understand why, some peace to find in my mind.
UNGUARDED SMILES ("Ron's place")
(based on "Ron's place" by B.Mehldau/
original lyrics by X.Casellas)
Another day is done
night's falling fast
pale lights fail to guide
yet beckon from above
windows seem darker than night
old doors that creak as folks walk passed
no word to be heard, those hurried strides
no casual strolls no unguarded smiles.
From my post I see
them one by one
it's plain to see in their frowns
can't wait to quit the hide
I enjoy figuring out their chances
how will they hold this furtive cry?
mist'ry remains to the untrained eye
hard to conceal from a bum as I.
Every now and then
I hold up my cup
I toast to them and wish
their dreams would come alive
but always the same old sneering
a twitch on each face in true disgust
one for the road I say and laugh
no casual strolls no unguarded smiles.
Late night every night
tight grips release
return into the lights
ol' promise of true bliss
back in the trance of living
pretend small affairs are best left out
mist'ry remains to the untrained eye
hard to conceal from a bum as I.
about
The catalan vocalist Xavier Casellas releases “Unguarded Smiles”, his new musical project in which he does not only sing but also writes lyrics to music written by distinguished composers. Being accompanied by the very best of the jazz view, Casellas invites us to go deeper into a proposal of vocal jazz inspired from the greatest tradition without forgetting all the essential elements to be undoubtedly modern. With a repertory that covers from compositions by Mehldau or Rosenwinkel to creations belonging to other periods under the name of Frederic Mompou, this “Unguarded Smiles” helps to understand such huge potential form the vocal jazz when communicating and creating situations and musical landscapes where the dramatized power of the voices makes each of the emotions transmitted by the music even stronger.
“Unguarded Smiles” is a record from the present time that is related to a tradition of jazz singing that is well-known by Xavier Casellas and that has managed to assimilate with creativity and intelligence.
credits
released August 1, 2010
CD CREDITS & TRACK LIST:
XAVIER CASELLAS
'Unguarded smiles'
The Band:
Xavier Casellas, vocals, lyrics
Emilio Solla, piano, arrangements
Ben Monder, guitar
Jorge Roeder, double bass
Ted Poor, drums
Special guest appearances:
Victor Prieto, accordion
Oscar Feldman, alto sax
John Ellis, tenor sax & flute
Terence Goss, baritone sax
Shane Endsley, trumpet
Noah Bless, trombone
Mauricio Herrera, percussion
1 Failure gates (Brooklyn sometimes) by K.Rosenwinkel/X.Casellas 7:01
2 Peace to find (vocal version) by O.Feldman/X.Casellas 6:00
3 Unguarded smiles (Ron's place) by B.Mehldau/X.Casellas 7:20
4 Soul eyes by Mal Waldron 6:02
5 Flat tyred by E.Solla/X.Casellas 3:10
6 Plou per ella (Prelude #9) by F.Mompou/X.Casellas 5:16
7 Cha cha blu (if only you would) by O.Feldman/X.Casellas 6:10
8 What love can do by Stephen Bishop 4:15
9 No simple reason by E.Solla/X.Casellas 4:40
10 Horses in rain by Django Bates/Sidsel Endressen 5:45
Produced by Xavier Casellas & Emilio Solla
Recorded at Bennett Studios, New Jersey
on March 2009.
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