shannon butcher sings

Got Ya Covered

The album tracks are laid.  The mixes are in.  Now it's time to turn to the look of the album.  Or more specifically the CD cover.

There are so many aspects to the cover art - the clothes, the light, the style, the setting, the hair, the make-up.  At times it can feel like a vanity cyclone.  But it needs consideration right?  After all, a listener's first impression of an album can often be the cover.

At times like these I thank the gods above for the internet.  It gives me the gift of endless hours of searching through CD covers via Google Images or Flickr or Amazon.  From whom can I draw inspiration?  What designs turn my head?  What designs turn my stomach?

After days of surfing I thought I would share a few covers that have caught my eye.  

I love the combination of patterns and textures.  And who can resist a St. Bernard?

Such a powerful shot.  

Classic performance based cover. Timeless.

Every Bjork cover is unique and amazing!

Couldn't keep this one to myself.

Okay. It's your turn.  What album cover has become part of the permanent art collection in your mind?

Words American Idol and I Could Say

The extreme popularity of the tunes I chose to arrange on my album Words We Both Could Say has been affirmed by this latest season of American Idol.

I have to admit that I don't get watch American Idol that often so it wasn't until I received a message through myspace that I realized my connection to Idol.  My myspace friend, Karen, sent a message with the following subject line: "American Idol Copied You!".  The content of the message included a link to AI contestant Megan Joy performing Walking After Midnight. I was touched that Karen considered my arrangement with Ross MacIntyre to be the quintessential version of Patsy Cline's hit!

Now last night I actually tuned in to American Idol when, wouldn't you know it, Top 8 contestant Adam Lambert performed Mad World - also from the "Shannon Butcher Songbook". (If this were an email I would insert a winky face here.)  Both Adam and I have our performances up on YouTube. You can compare.  Adam went more for the Gary Jules factor.  I'm not saying he and I are in competition but I let you be the judge...

Adam's version:  (American Idol has policed all video links - this clip maybe removed eventually too!)

Shannon's version:  (American Idol has no jurisdiction over Breakfast Television so I'm safe!)

Blog Review #1 (because I'm hoping there will be more)

There are so many websites to keep up with these days!  With all the fun Facebook has brought in to all of our lives, I sometimes forget to spend time with good ol' myspace.  I finally got around to checking in on my new friend requests on myspace and I discovered this flattering blog post review of my album Words We Both Could Say from The Penthouse Radio online station out of New York.  Here's a sample:

The other CD that I was really blown away by was further down the pile.  I didn't look at the rundown of cuts when I popped this CD in, but pulled over to read the insert after the first cut started!

Shannon Butcher is another find from Canada - Mississauga, ON to be exact.  Her brand new CD is "Words We Both Could Say" is an excellent selection of re-worked pop and rock songs.  The first cut (and the one that made me pull off the road) was "Mad World", the first chart hit for Tears For Fears in 1982.  Done with a tropical flavor, it is marvelous to listen to. 

Never thought I'd see myself typing out these words but...Thanks Penthouse!

#1 on the Capital's airwaves

I just received the news that Words We Both Could Say has topped the jazz chart on Ottawa's CHUO!  The album has been in the hands of College Stations all across the country for just over a week now.  If you've got a moment please request a song to help me stay on the charts!  Visit !earshot online to find the campus radio station near you.  Thanks everyone!

Jazz

1 - Shannon Butcher -- Words We Both Could Say (Summer Bloom Records) 
2 - Robert Walter -- Cure All (Palmetto)
3 - Mario Pavone -- Trio Arc (Playscape Recordings)
4 - DK Ibomeka -- I'm your Man (Wychwood Park Productions) 
5 - Kelli O'Hara -- Wonder In The World (Ghostlight)
6 - Karen Ristuben -- Too Much (Daring Records)
7 - Esperanza Spalding -- Esperanza (Heads Up)
8 - John Beasley -- Letter to Herbie (Resonance Records)
9 - Rita Chiarelli with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra -- Uptown Goes Downtown (Mad Iris Music) 
10 - Fieldwork -- Door (Pi Recordings)