Emotional Support Boomer ("ESB") will now be Hitchcock's tag for the foreseeable future. Thanks for that, Emma, and thanks for the continuing gift of Blonde on the Tracks! ❤️
Are you saying he [Dylan] “swiped” the idea [I contain multitudes] from Ralph Waldo Emerson? If so you are incorrect, it’s from Whitman, but maybe I misunderstand
Your cover of I Contain Multitudes is so inspiring to me, Just goes to prove that home recording on digital recorders can easily compete with expensive recordings. I had a lecturer tell me this was the future at Uni in '97 but the whole class was skeptical. Like, even a casette 4 track was expensive enough at the time! Lol
The recording of 'Multitudes' sounds phenomenal though! It's one more reason to be fully committed to home recording and digital tech, although admittedly I still using some vintage gear like tube pre-amps. ;-)
One final thought on writer's block. I had a terrible bout of it that lasted many years, but broke it by realising that I was being too hard on myself. I expected creations to come out fully formed, with almost no effort, like they had when I was young. Then I wondered if I just needed to let go of the pressure of expectations. It was a huge weight off my mind to say, "it doesn't matter if I don't create anything today or even this year. It will come when it does."
And sure enough, once I let the ideas flow without expectation or pre-judgement I ended up with a huge amount of raw material. Not all good, that's for sure. But rather than treat it all the same (ala GBV - haha) I let the songs grow and develop - ferment even - within me until I could tell if the result would be worthwhile.
This is obviously not a formula for everyone. I just wanted to say what kinda worked for me.
I really like Blonde on The Tracks BTW. You've got a beautiful singing voice Emma! Really looking forward to whatever comes next. :-D
Thank you, Colby! Fortunately, these days I am much more philosophical about my approach to writing songs than I was in the Blonde era. I think pre-BOTT I felt so much pressure, now... not so much. Being older, I'm more comfortable with what I have to say, and I can embrace my limitations rather than feel weighed down by them. Important note: living with a prolific songwriter hindered my creative process at first, but has helped enormously in the grand scheme of things. It's just a record of a moment in time after all, isn't it?
As for recording, I really love working with other people and like the collaborative magic that happens when a band is tracking live in a room together, so while I respect those who can do it at home, I find my record label tasks are mostly what I do at the homestead, and I prefer to go to studios to record. Never say never, but definitely staying away from the Zoom for now. Sonically, my upcoming record has luscious strings, a grand piano, beautifully recorded drums and guitars and all kinds of other, lovely textures. It's decadent and sad and a little bit of throwback to Dusty Springfield/ Bacharach/ Scott Walker/ Schmillson in the Night/ Judee Sill type stuff. Definitely out of my home recording abilities!
That sounds like it will be amazing Emma, I'm really looking forward to it! I don't think I've heard any of your own songs and that must be rectified, obviously. =)
Totally get where you're coming from re: home recording and when it comes to strings I'd just throw up my hands - I have no idea how to record them well either! I love the sound though, and reckon your album will be super special. Just be yourself and let those songs out. EASY ;-) <3
It's so wonderful to have you back in the room again Emma. Keep on keeping on and we're so looking forward to hearing the new songs in due course; whilst unnecessary delay isn't a good thing, I like Douglas Adams' approach to the process ("I love deadlines; I love the whooshing sound they make as they fly past your ear'). Lots of love from Steve and Anita on Dismal Island xx
I still play your gorgeous album at least once a week.
Thanks for sharing its genesis.
There are moments on it that still make me catch my breath. When Dylan sings “I didn’t mean to treat you so bad….” I take it as insincere and cruel, but you make it sound sincere and heartbreaking.
I’m looking forward to your new album, and to an Aussie 🇦🇺 tour.
Dylan is one of those artists I grew up being told he was brilliant so forcefully by so many people it was like if I didn't immediately capitulate to worship him I was deemed unworthy. So I largely just tuned him out. (Besides, he was a shitty singer. I'll go to the mat on that one.)
But later, listening to other artists I did love reinterpreting his songs, I found out what I did love about many of them. And this beautiful album has given me a few more to truly appreciate.
Blonde On The Tracks was in my top most played albums that year. It sort of deepens the experience of listening to it now seeing the recording details in that it was clearly a much more winding road than I imagined for what is frankly an amazingly cohesive album. Can't wait to hear new music and see your tours!
I bought this album when it came out and it is one of my favourite Bob covers albums and I have a lot. I was even fortunate enough to see Emma play at a Bob 80th event at the Troubadour in London and got her to sign it. Sad Eyed lady… is a stand out!
I've listened to Blonde On The Tracks too many times to count Emma! It's hard to express what a balm your voice singing these songs with these lovely arrangements has been. Thanks for sharing the process with us- I always assume everyone else's projects just spring into existence effortlessly, even knowing all I know. So glad you pushed through! I hope I get to hear you sing in person again before long xx
“emotional support boomer” hah!
Seriously, it’s such a lovely recording.
Thank you!
Emotional Support Boomer ("ESB") will now be Hitchcock's tag for the foreseeable future. Thanks for that, Emma, and thanks for the continuing gift of Blonde on the Tracks! ❤️
Seeing you and Robyn play these beautiful Dylan songs at the Troubadour in London back in 2022 was so special and inspiring.
Love love love.
My friend Bob is the world’s biggest Dylan fan and he simply loves your take on Dylan’s catalogue!
Looking forward to seeing you play your own music in London soon I hope! ❤️
Thank you for being there! They were such special shows. I love that venue :)
I bought the physical CD in May 2022. Very nice indeed
Thank you!
Love this. He swiped that idea from Ralph Waldo Emerson. I’m waiting for one on Henry Thoreau. Good for you, Emma.
Are you saying he [Dylan] “swiped” the idea [I contain multitudes] from Ralph Waldo Emerson? If so you are incorrect, it’s from Whitman, but maybe I misunderstand
BOTT is a wonderful album and I'm looking forward to the new one this year.
Thank you so much!
Not Dylan, but that REM cover with Robin on the LOVE LA comp that Paige put together is TREMENDOUS!
I bought this from Bandcamp when it came out and I love it. Nice to see it’s on Apple Music. I glad it’s all worked out for you.
Thank you!
Your cover of I Contain Multitudes is so inspiring to me, Just goes to prove that home recording on digital recorders can easily compete with expensive recordings. I had a lecturer tell me this was the future at Uni in '97 but the whole class was skeptical. Like, even a casette 4 track was expensive enough at the time! Lol
The recording of 'Multitudes' sounds phenomenal though! It's one more reason to be fully committed to home recording and digital tech, although admittedly I still using some vintage gear like tube pre-amps. ;-)
One final thought on writer's block. I had a terrible bout of it that lasted many years, but broke it by realising that I was being too hard on myself. I expected creations to come out fully formed, with almost no effort, like they had when I was young. Then I wondered if I just needed to let go of the pressure of expectations. It was a huge weight off my mind to say, "it doesn't matter if I don't create anything today or even this year. It will come when it does."
And sure enough, once I let the ideas flow without expectation or pre-judgement I ended up with a huge amount of raw material. Not all good, that's for sure. But rather than treat it all the same (ala GBV - haha) I let the songs grow and develop - ferment even - within me until I could tell if the result would be worthwhile.
This is obviously not a formula for everyone. I just wanted to say what kinda worked for me.
I really like Blonde on The Tracks BTW. You've got a beautiful singing voice Emma! Really looking forward to whatever comes next. :-D
Thank you, Colby! Fortunately, these days I am much more philosophical about my approach to writing songs than I was in the Blonde era. I think pre-BOTT I felt so much pressure, now... not so much. Being older, I'm more comfortable with what I have to say, and I can embrace my limitations rather than feel weighed down by them. Important note: living with a prolific songwriter hindered my creative process at first, but has helped enormously in the grand scheme of things. It's just a record of a moment in time after all, isn't it?
As for recording, I really love working with other people and like the collaborative magic that happens when a band is tracking live in a room together, so while I respect those who can do it at home, I find my record label tasks are mostly what I do at the homestead, and I prefer to go to studios to record. Never say never, but definitely staying away from the Zoom for now. Sonically, my upcoming record has luscious strings, a grand piano, beautifully recorded drums and guitars and all kinds of other, lovely textures. It's decadent and sad and a little bit of throwback to Dusty Springfield/ Bacharach/ Scott Walker/ Schmillson in the Night/ Judee Sill type stuff. Definitely out of my home recording abilities!
That sounds like it will be amazing Emma, I'm really looking forward to it! I don't think I've heard any of your own songs and that must be rectified, obviously. =)
Totally get where you're coming from re: home recording and when it comes to strings I'd just throw up my hands - I have no idea how to record them well either! I love the sound though, and reckon your album will be super special. Just be yourself and let those songs out. EASY ;-) <3
Your version of "Multitudes" is my favorite track on a wonderful album.
Hope to hear it at your show in Baltimore aka Charm City...
"Emotional Support Boomer" HA!
Thenk you! I will add it to the set for you!
It's so wonderful to have you back in the room again Emma. Keep on keeping on and we're so looking forward to hearing the new songs in due course; whilst unnecessary delay isn't a good thing, I like Douglas Adams' approach to the process ("I love deadlines; I love the whooshing sound they make as they fly past your ear'). Lots of love from Steve and Anita on Dismal Island xx
I still play your gorgeous album at least once a week.
Thanks for sharing its genesis.
There are moments on it that still make me catch my breath. When Dylan sings “I didn’t mean to treat you so bad….” I take it as insincere and cruel, but you make it sound sincere and heartbreaking.
I’m looking forward to your new album, and to an Aussie 🇦🇺 tour.
Any new Bobby songs in your live repertoire ?
See you in Baltimore
Dylan is one of those artists I grew up being told he was brilliant so forcefully by so many people it was like if I didn't immediately capitulate to worship him I was deemed unworthy. So I largely just tuned him out. (Besides, he was a shitty singer. I'll go to the mat on that one.)
But later, listening to other artists I did love reinterpreting his songs, I found out what I did love about many of them. And this beautiful album has given me a few more to truly appreciate.
Blonde On The Tracks was in my top most played albums that year. It sort of deepens the experience of listening to it now seeing the recording details in that it was clearly a much more winding road than I imagined for what is frankly an amazingly cohesive album. Can't wait to hear new music and see your tours!
I bought this album when it came out and it is one of my favourite Bob covers albums and I have a lot. I was even fortunate enough to see Emma play at a Bob 80th event at the Troubadour in London and got her to sign it. Sad Eyed lady… is a stand out!
Thanks David!
I've listened to Blonde On The Tracks too many times to count Emma! It's hard to express what a balm your voice singing these songs with these lovely arrangements has been. Thanks for sharing the process with us- I always assume everyone else's projects just spring into existence effortlessly, even knowing all I know. So glad you pushed through! I hope I get to hear you sing in person again before long xx
Thanks Amy! X