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The leaves are on the turn and there is a bite in the air, the first hints of autumn. Most people I talk to are rather gloomy about this fact; sadness drifts across their face as if I’ve just spoken of a previous lover who left them brokenhearted. Letting go of summer, however crappy the weather, is hard to do. We tend to look at all the things we didn’t achieve over the summer months instead of what we did. I personally love autumn and I am a little less summer obsessed these days, but then I do get more summer than most with spending half of our winter in New Zealand (sorry to gloat!) I love the autumnal colours, the smell of the leaves, and the distant sound of a chainsaw as trees are cut in preparation for cosy log fires. I’m not fazed at all, especially as I adore cooking food for the cooler weather. I make gallons of soup and tasty stews that bubble away all day in my slow cooker. The house fills with delicious aromas and I feel a great comfort from the fact that we are warm indoors and protected from the elements... with food!
Over the last month I have been learning Jacques Prevert’s and Joseph Kosma’s “Les Feuilles Mortes” AKA “Autumn Leaves.” I have always adored this song, but recently I realised that up until now I have only been listening to whispers of its original melody and thought there were only English lyrics. Eva Cassidy’s heart melting rendition, my main reference, is beautiful. I have always felt rather envious of Eva as I can't sing this song with her interpretation and style. Now I actually have the original version in my hands I can see that she has really taken it in a whole new direction which in turn has left a generation of listeners unaware of its roots and French lyrics. This is not a complaint, just an observation. Lucky for me the way it was written is more suited to my voice. I find it sits beautifully in my voice range and it feels very natural to sing, especially in French. Jacques Preverts’s French lyrics are deeply poetic and use autumn as a metaphor for a previous love affair, leaving you with a feeling of a suspended sadness and poignancy. He uses autumn leaves to symbolize memories and regrets that gently fall to the ground and pile up, only to then be carried away on the winter wind into oblivion. Phew! Certain songs I learn become like a romance in my life. I am having a beautiful love affair with this one.
Summer nearly over, for me happy memories and no major regrets.
Over the last month I have been learning Jacques Prevert’s and Joseph Kosma’s “Les Feuilles Mortes” AKA “Autumn Leaves.” I have always adored this song, but recently I realised that up until now I have only been listening to whispers of its original melody and thought there were only English lyrics. Eva Cassidy’s heart melting rendition, my main reference, is beautiful. I have always felt rather envious of Eva as I can't sing this song with her interpretation and style. Now I actually have the original version in my hands I can see that she has really taken it in a whole new direction which in turn has left a generation of listeners unaware of its roots and French lyrics. This is not a complaint, just an observation. Lucky for me the way it was written is more suited to my voice. I find it sits beautifully in my voice range and it feels very natural to sing, especially in French. Jacques Preverts’s French lyrics are deeply poetic and use autumn as a metaphor for a previous love affair, leaving you with a feeling of a suspended sadness and poignancy. He uses autumn leaves to symbolize memories and regrets that gently fall to the ground and pile up, only to then be carried away on the winter wind into oblivion. Phew! Certain songs I learn become like a romance in my life. I am having a beautiful love affair with this one.
Summer nearly over, for me happy memories and no major regrets.
