Fabulous Find For A Friday-----Rachael Yamagata

I have been trying to be very diverse in my features and finds on my Fridays. Have you noticed?

I have gotten a bit of organizing, reading, fashion, makeup, movies, antiques fair, amazing hubby, shoes all in there, but I realized that I hadn't really touched on music, which is the center of my life.

Now.........I am asked all the time what my favorite music is.

I can't EVER answer that. NEVER.

Why? You ask. Well, because it all depends on my mood, the weather, what I'm wearing, what I ate, do I feel like dancing, if I am walking, or am I in a beautiful place of nature, etc.

You get it, right?

Now, If you have read my blog for very long or know me, you know that I am obsessed with Sting. I was even able to hang out with him once-----oh, yes, you can read about it HERE.


But I am always on the look out for new artists or songs that move me.

Another passion of mine are movies-----and if you haven't read about that, I have blogged about that sickness......er.......passion HERE.

Luckily these two mediums sometimes work together to create deep feelings. Emotions that I love having, as they create something that can take me from my sometimes stressful and/or mundane life. Movies and music can transport you away.

And, well, its one of my favorite things to do.

This said, a few months ago----maybe about five months, I was watching an independent film. I usually watch these movies while I am exercising----they are usually foreign films or independent ones, as those are the ones that I enjoy the most. If you are curious, you can read more about my day HERE. It sometimes takes me several days to watch a film, as I only walk or do my Bowflex for about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes.


Well, this day, as the film was ending-----and no, I don't remember what the film was----but I know that it was good. The film was ending and this haunting song started playing. I had to sit down and listen to it. It was so beautiful and the music just went so well with the end of the movie.

I had to find out who did the song. I waited for all the credits to roll through and there it was:
"Meet Me By The Water", by Rachael Yamagata.


The song is actually on her CD, Happenstance, which came out in 2004,

but she just released a new CD this year, Elephants----Teeth Sinking Into Heart. Check it out!

I was really impressed with her voice as it has a smoky quality to it, reminiscent of an old French cabaret singer in the 30's. She, at first, comes across as having a rather----what I would call----wispy voice, (you know, a bit breathy) but after a bit more of a listen, you realize that she has a strength about her, that she can really let go and get a gutsy sound.

Apparently she has opened for such bands as Coldplay and Liz Phair, and just this week she was on the TV show 30 Rock---along with many other recording artists. She has had a lot of setbacks, but has tried to overcome them and continue producing her music. This article gives a bit of her background also.

So, take a listen to her music----its on my playlist-----and see what you think.

I think that you will be impressed.....