Michael Franks
Forum
Hello everyone, I am Denis! I am from Moscow, Russia, but in the last 10 years I have been studying abroad in Germany and now in England. Right now, as I am writing this message, I am listening to Blue Pacific album by Michael Franks, the piece Woman In The Waves. Yeah, turning to our beloved friend, the first time I listened to him was about a year ago, and it was the same album as I am listening to right now, and as always I had taken the album from HMV for three weeks with the intention to give it back- that is my way of finding out about some artists in all different styles of Jazz. I remember that the first time I listened to Franks, I thought to myself: no, this is not what I am looking for and in fact I went so far in judging him as to reach a conclusion that this trial of an artist was completely useless. However, I must ofcourse say at the same time that I get this negative first sight impression very often, and most probably it is because I hear something which does not exactly match with what I am looking for. Well, enough of pre-history of my first day of an acquaintance with Michael's music; getting to the point, I must say that the next days within those three weeks, I started feeling some kind of affection to his ways of sing ing, telling stories and indeed music itself. I guess I started to realise that what I got was simply 90's contemporary main-stream jazz and not something else more unique that I was looking for. Well, coming to the end of this story, in the end I gave the CD back, but as I was parting with it I must say I felt pity that I had to do this, but it was just my practice. But, Michael Franks has succeeded in his mission, as I think he has done for many of us admirers of Franks, which is he has penetrated my mind with his music and mainly ofcourse the totally original approach to storytelling, to building these wonderful pictures, both clearly visual and poetic. So, where I am trying to get with this writing of mine, is that, as for many of you on this site, Michael Franks has become one of these figures who enters our lives and who I think will never exit them. After I gave that CD in at HMV, I had firmly remembered this man and ever since I had been trying to find something about him and there you go, right now I am listening to the same CD, that I own (in fact it is a Russian licensed version, which was worth only £2, but the quality is brilliant and everything is produced very well). In fact, the way I had been hooked on to Michael even more in the last half-year is through a radio station in Moscow (called Radio Jazz 89,1 FM), which I found out about last summer, on which with time I started to recognise an artist, whose voice was sounding very familiar and soon, cant even remember exactly at what point, I came to the conclusion that it was good old Franks. Believe it, or not, the station plays him every single day; all the time I had been listening to it during my last visit to my home city, they had played him at least once a day, BUT, I remember well there had been days when I heard his voice two, three times. One day, they played FOUR of his tunes, starting with early morning and into late night. Well, I am sorry I have to go now, hope I will be able to keep contact with fans about this wonderful man. Breaking up at CHEZ NOUS!!!
>>By Denis (Friday, 2 May 2003 10:05)
Wow, I just reached back and listened to Burchfield Nines. Some really nice music there. I had forgotten about it. I really love, "Vivaldi's Song" and "A Robinsong". What the heck, I liked them ALL! Anybody agree? jerel
>>By jerel (Monday, 5 May 2003 04:44)
Hey! Does everyone see the listing of a new Michael Franks CD titled LIVE across from the Ebay promo on this site? Release date is 5/2003. I'm calling my local distributer right now. Hooray!
>>By Tom (Tuesday, 6 May 2003 01:55)
Hey Again! And on the Michael Franks.com site the new listing is entitled: The Michael Franks Anthology - The Art of Love. Release date is 5/13/2003. Tell your friends. Best Wishes for great listening.
>>By Tom (Tuesday, 6 May 2003 02:02)
One more time. I guess the listing of LIVE is now across from the first of these three posts by me.
>>By Tom (Tuesday, 6 May 2003 02:06)
OK. With a little more investigation, J&R Music World lists the two recordings I mentioned above that are new to me but may have been discussed on other posts on this thread. The LIVE disc is the one with Crossfire and the Anthology is a double cd best of compilation that apparently has been re-mastered. It includes a couple of live versions of familiar titles. Guess these will have to suffice until a real "new" release is cut. Sorry for the exessive fanfare but four years is a long time to wait between releases.
>>By Tom (Tuesday, 6 May 2003 02:21)
Yes, Tom. I'd concur that four years is a long time to await a new Michael Franks CD. I think MF has a lot on his plate right now, not only with his projects, but also his new granddaughter. I listened to an interview given by Michael Franks on Jazztrax (always a pleasure listening to his voice, either in song or speak.). It was rumored that the Franks's were relocating back to California. If MF is there now with his family, I wouldn't be surprised. Most likely, he wants to live close to his granddaughter.
>>By Marleen (Tuesday, 6 May 2003 04:30)
I've been enjoying Michael Franks for MANY years (Popsicle toes!) Which of his CD's can I find that on? I must confess to a limited knowledge, but love anything I ever hear by him!
>>By Theresa (Wednesday, 7 May 2003 02:42)
Hi Theresa - "Popsicle Toes" is on THE ART OF TEA, a wonderful CD. However there aren't many "mutts" in Mr Franks' repetoire. All of his CDs are characterized by good heart, superb support from the studio musicians, clever or insightful lyrics and often great cover art. My faves include DRAGONFLY SUMMER, BAREFOOT ON THE BEACH, BLUE PACIFIC and the aforementioned ART OF TEA. Best Wishes.
>>By Tom (Wednesday, 7 May 2003 19:06)
hello, i'm from Italy
i hear a duet of Michael Franks with Diana Krall (Popsicle Toes, during 5'59"), but i find not the Albun in which it is recorded.
i find only soloist performances, by Michael or by Diana, but no the duet.
many thanks to who will want to help me.
best wishes
OlK
>>By OlK (Sunday, 11 May 2003 22:22)
Michael's voice and lyrical talent definately make him a stand-out. I am new to his music and am wondering where I can maybe get some of the lyrics to his songs. Can someone give me the words to Now Love Has No End? I would appreciate that a bunch.
icembz@yahoo.com
>>By Paul M. (Thursday, 22 May 2003 21:53)
Hi,
Tom had asked that I post the musicians and songs from the recent show at Kimballs East in the SF bay area. I'd love to hear from others who went to other shows there, (he did 6). We went to a Sunday 5pm show. Kimballs announced that Michael had set a 'Sunday at 5pm' attendance record. That was only 175 or so of us because it's a small club. The show was wonderful - the first time I've seen him. I was really impressed with his voice. Still as clear and clean as any recorded tracks. I can't say who all the musicians were since I couldn't quite hear their names, but I assume they were his regulars. 2 I can verify were Charles Benzig on piano and Veronica Nunn on vocals. The songs were:
Tiger in the Rain
Long Slow Distance
Jive
Now Love has no end
One Bad Habit
Monk's New Tune
Sunday Morning, here with you
The lady wants to know
Chez Nous
Eye of the Storm
When I give my love to you
Monkey see, Monkey do
Popsicle toes - encore
And I'm excited that I see he will be at some classy looking performace place in Saratoga which is also in the SF bay area in August.
>>By Kevin (Tuesday, 3 Jun 2003 18:13)
Hi Kevin - Thanks for the update on Michael's performance at Kimballs. Interesting choice of song selections. A lot of my favorites. I'm curious if Michael talked about the origins of any of the songs? Also, were there any significant changes in any of them? That is, new verses or new bridges? Finally, did he make mention of a new cd? Best, Tom
>>By Tom (Friday, 6 Jun 2003 03:22)
Dear OIK, I have a CD by Diana Krall where she does Popsicle Toes, but I have not heard Michael and Diana singing it together. I, also, would love to have that rendition.
Did anyone see the A&E special on Van Gough and Gauguin this past Sunday, June 1st? It was very good. Michael's album Abandoned Garden has a couple songs about these two artists. On the album, it mentioned that these songs were written by Michael for a musical. Has anyone seen this musical? I've never heard of it anywhere. Thanks, Jerel
>>By Jerel (Friday, 6 Jun 2003 22:39)
Hi Jerel,
the two songs you are thinking of are "Without our Love" and "In the Yellow House" from the not too well known Franks Musical "Noa Noa" (no I haven't seen it and haven't even seen MF except for on the cover of CD's). Anyway, the Yellow House song is a duet with Brian Mitchell and tells the story of the time that Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gaugin shared a hoiuse where "Paul painted nudes and Vincent painted flowers". This album also has a couple of Antonio Carlos Jobim tributes, The title track, and Cinema which ACJ wrote the music for and MF wrote the lyrics. It is currently my fav. and I could listen to it over and over, like all of his music. Just waiting for the new releases....
Regards
Dr F
>>By Dr Fronkensteen (Thursday, 12 Jun 2003 14:24)
Hi Theresa,
Popsicle Toes is also on the live album M. Franks with Crossfire
>>By wim (Friday, 13 Jun 2003 20:23)
Hi, Paul M.
The lyrics to "Now Love Has No End" will be found in the CD booklet of Michael Franks's last original album "Barefoot on the Beach." It's worth the listen. The album is addictive. I know I got hooked, first time I listened to it. Great way to start the summer, too! MF looks good on the back cover, well built and youthful looking. Wish I'd caught the Gauguin/Van Gogh documentary on June 1st. I think that because of MF, I've acquired a greater knowledge, and appreciation of Gauguin's artwork. He was versatile. There was a movie made about him, called "A Wolf At the Door". Good movie, starring Donald Sutherland as Paul Gauguin. Michael Franks, back in May 2001, was kind to send me a book about the life and career of Gauguin. I read it immediately. Had no idea, till then, that Gauguin was a sculptor and writer as well as a painter.
>>By Medina (Tuesday, 17 Jun 2003 04:12)
Kevin,
I went for the very first show at 8pm on friday. This man is all that I had imagined , only much more humber and modest. People, if you get a chance don't miss it. He sings just the way they sound on the records! All the way from 'Popsicle toes' -his earliest song on the set- till the recent ones, his voice was mesmerizing. I took three of my colleagues (converted recently) and they were awe-inspired! Got to shake hands with the drummer and appreciate him for the drum solo on 'Monkey see Monkey do', but didn't wanna crowd the hallway to meet the man. Left it to the bunch of women who were eager to see him. One actually came out running, screaming that she got to kiss him :o)
I'm going to Saratoga to see him again on the 15th August. This place is only about 10 minutes from where I live. Life is so much fun to live with his inspiring voice and music.
Is there any news of a new album besides the Anthology?
>>By Mani.d.v.s (Thursday, 19 Jun 2003 00:53)
Tom,
At the Kimball's show he did talk a bit about the Anthology album. He said it had just gone Platinum. He said he had a good talk with the label about the songs he'd like to see on it - and they completely ignored his suggestions. From anyone who's seen him elsewhere - does he sometimes have a guitarist playing? When I got home and listened to some songs, I noticed that some of my favorite musical parts are guitar parts. At the kimball's show there was no one playing guitar. Minor issue, just would have been that much more wonderful.
Kevin
>>By Kevin (Thursday, 19 Jun 2003 23:27)
Hey Kevin, Thanks for the posts. Mr Franks has had a number of different guitarists play on his discs. Included are: Dean Parks and Buzz Feiten on BLUE PACIFIC, the great Larry Carlton (of Crusaders fame) on SLEEPING GYPSY, numerous jazz studio guitarists of the highest caliber (such as John Tropea) and occassionally his own self. Best,
>>By Tom (Saturday, 21 Jun 2003 18:50)
Kevin, Just looked-up a few liner notes and observed that other guitarists of such stature as Hiriam Bullock (Dave Sanborn's frequent 6 string player), the late Eric Gale, Steve Kahn and the amazing acoustic performer Bucky Pizarrelli have played on Michael Franks' discs too. Sounds like you heard a terrific show at Kimball's.
>>By Tom (Sunday, 22 Jun 2003 05:18)
Hello, I'm in Los Angeles. What can you say about Michael Franks? My brother turned me on to him when I was... 13 yrs. old! I'm (gulp) 36 years old now and just cannot get enough of Franks. I love his blend of pop, jazz, brazilian, love, sadness, okay...life. I've purchased all of his music (except for the Best of and the recent release Art of Love) and I'm in the process of buying them over on CD. I saw him in concert and was blown away by how tight the band was and while I wouldn't call him an entertainer, he certainly is a wonderful musician and a person with quiet wry sense of humor. It was a beautiful evening and I hope to see him again soon.
>>By vhope (Thursday, 26 Jun 2003 00:48)
Help I am looking for the lyrics to Dragonfly Summer......anyone know what they are or where to look?
>>By halltraveler (Tuesday, 1 Jul 2003 04:24)
Hi,am a Filipina fan of Michael,been listening to his music since 1986, I just love his voice.Write more about what I like about his kind of music soon.
>>By BRENDA (Thursday, 3 Jul 2003 13:59)
Thanks Medina for the lyrics of Everytime she whispers. A great song.
Can you email me the lyrics of Mr Blue? Another super song of Michael Franks
Thanks in advance
Sal
salcis@hotmail.com
>>By sal (Thursday, 10 Jul 2003 21:05)
Hi, Sal:
I can't e-mail you the lyrics of "Mr. Blue". Sorry. In fact, I don't think I was really supposed to send the lyrics of "Everytime She Whispers" either. But yes, they're both great songs. You can find the "Mr. Blue lyrics in the CD and/or album jacket of "The Art of Tea".
>>By Medina (Saturday, 19 Jul 2003 00:02)
Hi,
let's tell the truth, MF is one of the greatest songwriter of all times and probably the most underrated, if you consider that the other are, Jobim, Bacharach, S Wonder, J Taylor , M Gaye, Lennon/McCartney, Gamble/Huff (did I forget anyone?).
MF could be mentioned even between the great old composer of the past like Porter, Berlin, Gershwin and (again) Jobim.
Why the fm stations, in Italy, where I live, they all play the same shity music ?
There's a lot of beautiful music, which most of the people cannot evev get to know, like MFs, which most of the people don't even know.....
They don't know what they are missing.
Thanks Michael !
Steveland
Venice
Italy
>>By steveland63 (Saturday, 20 Dec 2003 00:45)
Heyyyy, my name is Lauren, and i ABSOLUTELY ADORE *MF*. I grew up listening to him (i'm 18 and in college) Seriously--by the time i was five i could sing every song from the camera never lies and Passion fruit by heart. haha. My father introduced me to him, and i haven't stopped listening ever since...like 15 years now...I get sooooo much flak from my friends and colleagues for listening to smooth jazz, but i'd never give up MF! It wasn't until i got a little older and "wiser" that i really came to appreciate his lyrics. It is rare that song lyrics are so poignant and valid--his are like legitamate poetry. here are some of my favorites...
"You stand on a cliff overlooking the ocean; below on the beach i am caught in slow motion--and then it's face to face, together again for the first time...face to face, you're the one i could love for a lifetime" **Face to Face**
"First it smoulders then it burns you, pass the point of no return; do lovers stay in love by learning how to leave the world at the door and live, live inside their dreams?" **Now You're in my Dreams** <~~my fave song EVER!!!
"Think it's time to make my exit--kiss all this goodbye and catch the next flight south connecting to my island life..." **Island Life**
"Every morning I start out, maybe today...Every night i turn my heart out, maybe tomorrow..." **Face to Face**
"Cancel lonliness, capture happiness, let that heartache and pain go--love feels awful good, like i knew it would, all superlatives true..." **Face to Face**
"Happy prisoners of love" (? i forget which song ?)
"Can't comprehend the logic of love..." **Innuendo...i think**
"Love is outrageous but highly contagious" **innuendo**
Yes... iknow, the majority of these songs are from The camera never lies...i ADORE that cd...it's definitely my favorite. But i'm branching out to the rest of the albums as well...the most awesome part is i found all of my dad's original MF albums in our basement...i mean, cds are great, but RECORDS ARE VINTAGE! i love listening to him "on wax" <~~dr sax joke. haha. Anyway thats me and my michael franks story.
>>By laur (Wednesday, 17 Mar 2004 01:49)
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