…and with only mastering & production left, where does that leave Les Debutantes? Here is a status report:
me: I’m deeply dissatisfied. Not so much with the final product, but with the railroading. All the best songs were left off. More later.
glen: He’s sober about the entire project. Centennial, like all works, involves a collection of mental exercises that bring some sort of satisfaction to the side of our minds that we don’t full understand. But he would prefer to understand his mind fully.
terry sly: She feels that track 56, 72, & 83 probably could have used more backing vocals. She wishes we could have had more time to work on those songs that got the rush job.
seramon manko: His enthusiasm for the project failed to develop. Even so, he often says, “Whatever happens, happens.” We take that to mean he’ll stick with us.
the others: Still trying to get a good grasp of their thoughts. Stay tuned, balloons.
–keddiz
If there’s plenty to say, why aren’t we saying it?
There’s plenty to say. Rather than say it, we’re choosing to not force ourselves to spend effort conveying it online. That’s why we’re going to coffee shops, churches and festivals to shake hands and answer questions.
Here’s one of the more heartwarming stories about a listener’s reaction to Centennial and the 10/10/10 release date:
It was a hot Sunday down at Eleventh Lutheran on Ladd Street. Old men were muttering under purple awnings while kids were playing “ice cream maker” on dozens of disabled bicycles.
I walked up to the sun-hat, white-dress girls by the salad kiosk and asked, “What do you like most about the Centennial songs you’ve heard?” They slowly turned toward me and began enthusiastically recalling their favorite bits. One loved the clarinet swells on “Change in Meal of Man.” Another appreciated the metaphoric journey on “A Catalog.” But I was most struck by a girl named “Melodinn Tabs” who spoke the following: “I have come a long way in my long life. Many hardships with abusive friends. Music has always rescued this fragile heart. Centennial is the suture that my cuts have always sought. Thank you for somehow finding me, Debutante.”
And with that, she kissed my brow and whispered, “I mean it. Thank you.”
–keddiz