A Music Share – Jim Bianco’s Cookie Cutter

It’s been a while since I shared a bit of music on my blog (in fact, I don’t think I ever have on this particular blog, so yay for new things). A few months ago, I had the opportunity to see a concert in the round. This is where several musicians share the stage and take turns either by themselves or with their fellow musicians. I think it’s a great way to not only find new artists, but to also experience an instant collaboration that sometimes produces magic. That’s a post for another time though.

This particular concert featured Michelle Malone, Emily Lynch, and Jim Bianco. I’ll go ahead and tell you that if you enjoy strong female vocals, check out Michelle Malone. She has this great blues/rock/Americana vibe that is infectious. Emily Lynch has an absolutely lovely voice and is more on the country side of the genres. I love her song “I Want You”.

The main reason I started this post, though, is for Jim Bianco. This was the first time I’d heard anything about the guy. There he was, sitting on the middle stool between these two feisty women. His hat perched just to the side in a way that showed he wasn’t intimidated.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but sometimes that is the best way to leave yourself open to new things. He was absolutely amazing – talented, charming, funny (and I do mean a delicious sense of humor), and aware of his artistry. Awareness is really a key thing for me. Too many times I see artists with no faith in their craft and it makes me sad. Be that as it may, I loved him. There’s certain gravel that draws me in to some musicians and Jim Bianco has that quality in his voice.

He began to describe his upcoming album, Cookie Cutter. This is a really unique piece of work because what he did was to send a questionnaire of 69 questions to 17 of his fans across the world. He wrote a song about each of them. I would have given a limb to be part of this project, let me tell you. At least I was lucky enough to run up to the merch stand and purchase an advanced copy. The questions are listed across the inside of the cd case –

 

It’s set up where you get to hear a speaking track before each song in which (an actor, I believe) you can hear a few of the answers that were sent by the fan. Then you hear the song. The album ranges from a ridiculous ear worm written for two little girls (seriously, “Blue Subaru” needs to be snapped up by the car company, it never goes away boo-boo) to a beautiful songs about love and loss. This is really an amazing collection and I recommend you listen to the whole thing in a setting where you can just absorb all the pieces.

Here is what I love about the whole thing: It’s the connection. This fantastic collection was put together by a musician reaching out to his fans and sharing an intimate process. When you write anything, be it a song or a story, about someone else, the entire process pulls the other person into a very personal space in your creative process. Not only that, but when you receive something written about you, it’s really an amazing feeling. It puts you in a vulnerable position to allow someone else to really look into you and pull out those pieces that speak to them. I really can’t say enough about Cookie Cutter, so I’ll let him speak for himself.

“Whether we like it or not, in many ways, human beings are exactly the same – for the most part we have legs that walk us, fingers that point us, minds that torture us and hearts that, when operating correctly, lead us clumsily through our lives. But still, there is something distinct in all of us that perseveres. Something singular and unrepeatable. Our memories, for example. Or the choices we have made in our lives. Or the resulting consequences of those choices that we must live with.” – Jim Bianco

Here is “To Hell with the Devil” from an earlier album.

Now, if I can just find out the date of release for Cookie Cutter, I’ll force you all to get it.