Hot off the griddle! Here is my latest video for my song, The Marching Song. You can listen to this tune and my full album, Tapping Trees in a Trinket Box of Treasure either through iTunes or http://christineleakey.bandcamp.com
I’m proud to share a new video for my song, Be You. I was pleasantly surprised in September when a fellow named Vishwas Avathi from India who works in film offered to create a video as a gift for my song. How unexpected - He expressed to me that he felt the music is beautiful and so he wanted to create something for me to help share with all. I was very touched by the kindness in his wonderful gesture. He sent me the video and I am very happy and humbled to see his visual interpretation of Be You. Thank you, Vishwas and Fstopro, I love it!
Here’s my latest video that I created this past week for my tune, Lullabies & Apple Pies. Enjoy! :) And if you love it, you can get it here: http://christineleakey.bandcamp.com The keyboard that I am playing is the now rare Optigan where you slip big disks into it that look like clear full length vinyl in order to make a sound.
“Prior to getting together formally to launch The Shangs in 1990,members, David Byers (ex Simply Saucer),Ed O’Neill and Pat O’Neill had mutual interests in divergent musical landscapes - the gritty,sonic experimentation of the likes of the Velvet Underground and Can, the dreamy and adventurous palet of Hollywood’s obscure(and not so obscure….) film soundtracks,the quiet, internal sounds of bossa/lounge greats such as Julie London and Astrud Gilberto. And too, the wealth of Girl Group pop masterpieces by The Shangri-las, et al (hence their name….). Avid record hunters, they stumbled apon the unknown and unlikely LP by the late 60’s,Nashville teen girl band,The Feminine Complex in 1975 and were both smitten and more than a little taken by its spooky nature,inventing fictous names for its unidentified members and quoting the albums wild liner notes verbatim.Yet it was the music of The Feminine Complex that had the biggest impact. Some years later, when forming the Shangs, that borderline obsession was still there.Their first well received release,”A Little Bit Of Semi-Heaven”, early in 1991, was dedicated to the FC and contained their moody spin on one of the group’s ballads from the,”Livin’ Love” LP - “Six O’Clock In The Morning”, as well being sprinkled with odes and references.This tribal, searing and almost overpowering instrumental might seem the most unlikely of dedications to a singer/songwriter of Mindy Dalton’s supreme stature but if certainly not “warm and fuzzy” or quietly thoughtful,never-the-less it comes from deep within The Shangs’ creative heart and souls with only the upmost respect to both Mindy (now, today,Mindy Dotson) and her immense talent.For Shangs’ fans, this version of, Queen Mindy” is a recently unearthed alternate take of a number that one reviewer likened to the Velvet’s,”Foggy Notion” and Dutch icons,Wally Tax and The Outsiders wildly hypnotic,”Story 16”.Presently recording,The Shangs look forward to a long-form release of new music mid year……Please visit their Myspace page and official website…….”
I hope you enjoy my new video for my tune, Lovely. Please share the lovely love and repost! <3
This is a promo shot of me and some of my toy pianos for my album, “Tapping Trees in a Trinket Box of Treasure” which features toy piano as well as a variety of rare keyboards including the Mellotron, Chamberlin, Orchestron, Optigan, ARP 2600… Have a listen here if toy pianos are what you fancy! http://christineleakey.bandcamp.com/track/gloom-chime
Pre-release Review by Linda Perhacs: Christine Leakey, Tapping Trees in a Trinket Box of Treasure.
Review of “Tapping Trees In a Trinket Box of Treasure”
By Christine Leakey
14 wonderful songs, total play time, 57 Minutes
Review by Linda Perhacs.
First off, I want to offer my deepest apologies to Christine for not getting back to her sooner.
This is a totally delightful set of 14 songs by Christine (who had asked me to review them for her a few months ago). I won’t go into detail, but suffice it to say, the last few months have lent themselves to me as rather difficult. Thank you so much for your patience, Christine!
“Tapping Trees in a Trinket Box of Treasure” is a true treasure. It is a wonderful departure from some of the music that is put out these days and well worth the time to listen to. And listen to very carefully I might add. Christine’s lyrics are both playful and moody and like true music, also has a message to deliver, but leaves the listener to draw upon their own life’s experience for a conclusion. Her singing voice has no weaknesses as she has found her own style of music, which is quite varied! These songs delight the listener from what I perceive are Celtic undertones to Pop and swing to a cabaret to an almost bossa nova beat and R&B.
Kudos to Christine also for how well the selection of songs were mixed and finally recorded. Nothing rough or left out, very smoothly integrated and seamless. The only exception would be song #14 “Trinket” (plus bonus track)- I really loved the song, but there seems to be a lot of space between it and the very playful and interesting bonus track. I was wondering for a time if the bonus track was really there when it finally started to play!
Each song is just wonderful and shows that much love and thought was put forth. The orchestration and composition work on these songs were masterfully done.
“The Marching Song” .47 – Christine has shown in this wonderful blend of electronic harmonies that truly one can get a great deal for 47 seconds!
“Lovely” 3:46- This is a very happy and lovely song. Lyrics are just fantastic, and is coupled with the really catchy beat and rhythm, this is a true jewel!
“Here I Stand” 4:09- Moody. But not completely dark, very nicely done with a surprisingly wonderful blend of orchestration that really compliments this song. Rhythm and vocals are just a delight!
“Be You” 3:39- Very lovely lyrics and harmony! I was delighted with how the percussion came in past mid point in this song! For me, it uplifted me more towards the Highlands! I hope others can feel this as well! “Travel with me to my world” Beautiful! Powerful!
“Tipsy”- .48 – Cute melody with great blending of background words. Just enough to leave you to wonder! Sort of a carnival atmosphere!
“The Man With The Golden Heart” 3:51- Rather ethereal! This has to be a tribute to anyone’s uncle, father or grandfather who, even in his later years, still has much to offer with a “Golden Heart”. Sadly beautiful, angelic melody and voicing, done with so much love! “With every end, a new life begins” “Tell me sir How do you do?” “I do fine!” How wonderful, Christine!
“Tap Dancers” 3:56- Really a cute song! “A million tap dancers on my roof” Waiting for the sun to shine again!
“Miss Betty Grable” 5:06- Beautifully intense and tragic tale (I believe taken from Betty’s real life)- Melodies and lyrics are very nicely done!
“Shine My Tarnished Sheen” 6:25- Great ballad of searching for love, or perhaps for yourself. “So, love yourself within- find an end, then begin” Truly words to live by!
“Lullabies and Apple Pies” 3:31- Really great rock and roll song! Has it all! But still so 21st century!
“The Day My Flower Died” 4:18- A moody, dark, blues-ish ballad. The balance of electric guitar and synth is amazing! Beautiful lyrics and voice!
“Gloom Chime” 2:55- Trippy use of special sound effects! Song goes into a R&B and cabaret style and back again in a very nice way, great voicing and melody!
“Quand Tu Dors” 2:30- Ok, I have no idea what she is singing in this song, but it’s done with such a nice “breathy” melody and beat, you can make up your own words! Wonderful song!
“Trinket” (Plus bonus) 11:41- Dreamy little song, nicely done! The only problem is the real long space between the song and the wonderfully playful bonus track! I think the idea for the pause between the songs is great, it just needs to be limited to perhaps 10 to 15 seconds.
Christine, dear Christine, this is quite a show of talent! You also managed to pick your musicians and all your back up voicing very wisely! This set of 14 beautiful songs are such great examples of just how you and everyone behind you paid such great, loving attention to detail. Very refreshing to listen to as your lyrics, combined to absolutely such fantastic vocals and music and instrumentals is really incredible.
Again, I apologize for being so late on getting all this back to you- but after what I have been through lately, perhaps this was the time for me to do this, as surely your music with its kindness and so much love in it has really helped me! What a blessing!
Thank you so much, Christine. We’ll stay in touch!
Much love and light!
Linda Perhacs
http://www.timelesslindaperhacs.com/
- Song:
- 8 - Miss Betty Grable
- Artist:
- Christine Leakey
- Album:
- Tapping Trees in a Trinket Box of Treasure
Miss Betty Grable is featured on my album soon to be released, Tapping Trees in a Trinket Box of Treasure.
