I have a happier subject to dwell on anyway: my new favourite album.
The other night when I was meant to be sleeping, I found myself googling lesbian singer-songwriters, because that's where my interests lie these days.
And on some blessed compilation list on some blessed website, I ran across a recommendation for an album by Cris Williamson called The Changer and the Changed. Embedded was her song 'Waterfall'... and before the song had even finished, I knew I wanted this album. Less than 20 minutes later, I had ordered a copy. I didn't even listen to any other songs off it. I just somehow knew I would love it.
(I only doubted this when I received it and feared it was going to turn out to be a country album. But only the second track was country, to my relief.)
Cris Williamson, where have you been my whole life?
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I've yet to explore her other music (she's been recording since the 60s) and I look forward to doing so, but for now I just want to bask in the perfection that is The Changer and the Changed.
This album was released in 1975 without the help of any men. Seriously. It was released on the independent label Olivia Records (which was completely women-based) and in the liner notes it says, "This album was made with the help of these women" and proceeds to list a plethora of females. As a feminist, I think that's pretty awesome. There is something timeless about The Changer and the Changed. Something indelibly golden. The ten songs that make up this album made a home within me the first time I heard them. I've had this album for only a month, but it has touched me so much already. I hope it continues to mean a lot to me over the years. (And reading what other people have to say about it, I suspect it will!)
I don't know how to classify this album. Just give it a try and if you like it--wonderful! Below I'm posting the song that started it all for me 'Waterfall':
Beautiful song! Her voice is compelling, and the words... The music is not like what I've heard from that time period, at least not the popular stuff, yet I can see how it was produced in the 70s. Hmm, this is good. That's all. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I was thinking something similar! It's not much like most (if any) music from the 70s yet it still makes sense that it was made then. I don't know. Glad you enjoyed it, Jade. :)
ReplyDeleteI grew up listening to Cris Williamson. Lucky for me, my mother was a fan and she would play and sing her songs to me. I still have my mothers 2 albums of hers (Cris W.) but I was also lucky to have found them both and a third in which I, or my mother had never heard of, So I bought all three!!! Her music always takes me right back to my childhood. might I reccomend this >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXc2Ttb1Z8I
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