EMMA JACOB ~ Spirited One Takes Flight

I first came to know about Emma Jacob through a wonderful person known as “Ms. Nashville” on myspace.  Ms. Nashville is in the business of finding and promoting young talent from the area.  When I heard Emma’s voice, saw her spirit on stage via videos, and heard her story… I was not only touched, I was blown away.  That was two years ago.  She has now inked a deal with The Black River Music Group and I just wanted to give her even more exposure on the internet, with sincere hopes that she will soar to even greater heights in the future.  That prospect looks mighty promising.

Emma Jacob’s story is an inspiring one.  This song and video tell that story, which begins with a cocaine addiction at birth requiring hospitalizations and leading to adoptive parents who loved and supported her through it all.  The story brightens even more as her gift for musical expression is discovered and these lyrics pose the question, “What If We Fly“?  Well, what if we did Emma?  Good question!  You already seem to have taken flight.  This song is a highly spirited AND  ‘spiritual‘ one.  There is always a way to get free and reach our greatest potential.  The soaring chorus in this song gives my heart and my ears much joy.  Oh and did I mention that she is only 18 years old? Watch this! Here she is LIVE as original video has been disabled.

http://www.youtube.com/user/EmmaMaeJacob#p/f/7/uNITFb4w1t8

That brings us to our second featured track, entitled “Julianna“, in which listeners are told they don’t need to compromise themselves in order to be loved.  The lyrics are important, (even for those of us past the point of adolescence). ~ “Julianna, you don’t have to do that to be loved.” and  “Julianna, I wish you knew, you knew, you knew …  you were enough.”  We get the feeling Emma Jacob will be calling all of her own shots one day.  She is a spirited powerhouse with high ambition and the talent to make it happen for a very long time.  http://www.youtube.com/user/EmmaMaeJacob#p/f/1/G-M8GyD8WX8

Good songwriting has its place in more than just one genre and the two songs I feature here today contain stories told with such brilliant insight and powerful, golden vocals, … I would not want anyone to miss out on them.  This relatively young person writes songs, plays guitar, and sings her heart out on stage with the maturity and understanding of someone much older.  These songs should be reaching audiences well outside the confines of the country music arena.  Emma co-writes with Karen Staley, who toured with Faith Hill and others.  Emma’s talents have been lauded by Paul Worley and Tony Conway, (music producers who have worked with country music’s heavy hitters).

You can find out more about Emma Mae Jacob by following the links below.  We hope to bring you continuing news about all of our artists via twitter @apesforindie:

http://www.emmajacobmusic.com

http://www.myspace.com/emmamaejacob

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PATTY GRIFFIN ~ Treasure Chest … (Part 2)

It is hard for me to pick songs to feature when writing about Patty Griffin.  Her catalog is like an expansive treasure chest, nestled at the bottom of the sea, waiting to be discovered by those willing to go there.

If you took the time to experience part 1 in my tribute series, then you already know why I have spent  so much time featuring this artist’s work. If you missed Part 1 … then perhaps you should go to this link before proceeding: http://bit.ly/Xzujy

Tonight I dove down to visit this songwriter’s treasure chest, (as I have done quite often in my life).  The waters were murky and my mood was a bit melancholy so when I came back up to the surface, the song “Rain” became the next featured gem in my tribute series.

This song is from the “1000 Kisses” album.  I think each of Patty’s songs are precious jewels, deserving of their own display case.

“And I’m still alive underneath this shroud… praying for rain” …

I have chosen to adorn this blog with a song that came to me at very hard times.  I have also chosen to use a Youtube video in which her LYRICS are highlighted and her vocals come to you without video.  I wanted you to experience “Rain” … without an umbrella.

PATTY GRIFFIN ~ Now You Know … (Part 1)

And so I stood there, … in awe of what I was hearing on that Autumn day in the year 2000. I was in my best friend’s living room in upstate NY when I heard the utter rawness of “Every Little Bit”. The song left me wondering what had happened in Patty Griffin’s life to inspire such unrestrained vocals, powerful messaging and unforgiving lyrics. I had to hear more and so we settled in with some hot tea and listened to the entire album, entitled: “Living With Ghosts”.

That afternoon’s listening session changed the role that music played in my life. After hearing this tiny redhead belt out gem after gem, I took my first serious interest in writing songs of my own. Up until that time, I was a content singer and hobbyist who would cover the material of others in casual settings. This woman’s gift for writing pointed me in the direction of an artistic life. Her inspiration was tremendous. Each track seemed to speak to me on a highly personal level. But enough about myself… I have heard MANY others say the same thing.

Talk about resonating with your audience! … the surgical precision with which a Patty Griffin song touches your life is nearly psychic in nature. It’s as if she has been watching your life unfold and truly understands it all. What a comfort! … and what a blessing. There is just no other way to describe what Patty does. I have read comments about her shyness as a new performer many years back. I am so grateful she has gotten over that!!! Time has done the talking (-; … and now? … she has become quite the powerhouse on stage, keeping some very good company and packing gorgeous venues.

Here is a very old video of Patty Griffin. Watch for a little while but then just close your eyes and let yourself “feel” her lyrics:

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~ “I stay unseen by the light, stay untold by the truth, I am sold by your lies”

~ “There was never a moment, (not a moment) … now you know! now you know! now you know! now you know! … you ever got within a hundred million miles of my soul”

*Stay tuned for Part 2 of this tribute series by the Apes For Indie*