I Wish . . .

IMG_3925

So, I’d started this song weeks before I arrived in Nicaragua for a summer
writing retreat with FREEBO.  He really liked it, but he asked “Don’t you want
a chorus?”  So we added one.  I WISH by me and Freebo.

      1. Carey Appel - I Wish

You May Want to Marry My Husband

So some of you may have seen the March 3rd, 2017 “Modern Love” article in the New York Times entitled “You May Want to Marry My Husband” written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. (read here)
It was written on Valentine’s Day and and published shortly before she died. It was so beautifully written and struck such a chord that I needed to learn more about this amazing woman. I went to her website and watched “Beckoning the Lovely”. I was transfixed. Beyond moved. Something made me want to put her article to song. And here it is. My tribute to Amy Krouse Rosenthal. A remarkable woman who sadly left her family, her friends, and this planet, way too soon.

 

      1. You May Want to Marry my Husband - Carey Appel
 

WISH I’D BEEN THERE – LIVE GENGHIS COHEN

WISH I’D BEEN THERE – LIVE NOVEMBER, 2014

Tombstone Recording of “Pictures on the Wall”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6n3DmZV9HA

NEW “STOLEN” SINGLE

“Stolen” by Carey Appel and Matt Kabus    CLICK TO SEE VIDEO

Stolen

Behind the song “Trying to Please”

This song emanated from a disagreement I had when I was 8 years old.  I left the house, got on my bike, and rode down by the railroad track where the bike slid on gravel and glass and I fell off – ending up with a huge gash in my shin.  I interpreted this as punishment for talking back. . .

Somehow, I got the message that other’s voices and opinions were more valuable than mine; and I held on to a fear of disapproval. The title “Trying to Please” is a rejection of this long-lived scenario.

I believe we should all have a voice.

I believe we deserve to be comfortable in our own skin.

I believe we each offer something of value .   .   .

 

PITTSBURGH DAILY TRIBUNE – MAY 25

Singer/songwriter Carey Appel lays her soul bare on first-rate sophomore platter “House of Cards,” a confessional collection of 12 tunes that showcases her estimable writing skills. On the songs she’s penned, Appel has done stellar work on “Don’t Get Used to It,” the title track, “Trying to Please,” “Sleeping Outside Your Door,” “Words Don’t Fit Here” and “When I See You Again.” Keep an eye on this promising artist.

JazzWax – Wall Street Journal – May 11, 2013

“If you’re looking for a head-clearing album that’s as pretty as a picture, this is it. I melt when I hear female vocalists who remind me of Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, Carly Simon and Laura Nyro. Carey Appel is one of them. Her ‘House of Cards’ (Dream Wild) packs a brash wallop and benefits greatly from Nashville production. Appel’s voice is strong and pure, and her songs are musically enveloping and lyrically meaningful. Sample Wish I’d Been There and Wait and See. Appel doesn’t waste any time capturing your heart.”

on HEATHER ROAD

“Carey – Just opened my email to find your song and played it over again for Fred. We both love it. I am moved to tears by your poetry that retrieves this lost world that I knew and cherished. Your vocal range and quality are exquisite and bring the words to life.
Bottom line: the song is redemptive. By overlaying your sorrows and loss on the beauty and simplicity of the scene, you deftly handle the pain without being maudlin. You rescue Heather Road for me, Carey. You give me back the eucalyptus and ivy hills and what peace there was that counted for so much. I listen and can time-travel.
This song is a gift. Can’t wait to hear the whole album.”

Kathy L.

Q and A on “House of Cards”

“House of Cards” is the title song from the newly released CD.   .    .

 

 

I –  I understand the present song is different from the original.  Why did it change?

C- Well, my co-writer, Marc Platt, originally brought his version of “House of  Cards” to
me.  It was about the demise of a 10 year marriage.  I re-wrote some of it so that I could
sing it, but, truthfully, I never liked it.  It was too masculine, and I couldn’t really
get behind the subject matter.    .     .

I-  But everyone else liked it – yes?

C- Yes, EVERYONE!!  Of ALL ages!  My kids, music pals, even my husband.  And it was a
great song .   .   .

I- So what happened?

C- Lisa Nemzo (my producer) and I were putting a song list together for “Heather Road”, my new album, and I told her I couldn’t see using it.  She identified what was bothering me, and said “Why don’t you completely re-write it?”  And so I did.  I had this vision of a woman in a bar – having been there many times before, and on the precipice of not being able to do it anymore – you know, the siren thing. The age thing.

I- Wow.  Interesting.  And the “House of Cards” line?

C- The “House of Cards” is her aging, fragile self – – about to cave in at any moment – but
she decides to go for it one more time .    .    .because she can’t really help herself -she’s just
stuck.  It’s sad actually.

I- Any similarity here to your own life?

C- “Ha ha” – not really – at least not in the direct sense.  Aging, yes.  Flirting, yes.
But I never picked up guys in bars, or anywhere.  That was just never my thing.

 

HOUSE OF CARDS  

Carey Appel/Marc Platt ©2012  Heather Road Productions ASCAP/Impossible Songs BMI

 

I catch your glance
Across the room
You got my attention now
A little too soon

But if you think
It’s nothing new
For me to end up
Leaving with you

House of cards
Come tumbling down
House of cards
Fall to the ground
House of cards
I may play this hand
House of cards
Cause I still can

Year after year
I do this dance
Empty vodka tonics
and shallow romance

Horse stud poker
Or solitaire
So many games
I can’t even share

House of cards
Come tumbling down
House of cards
Fall to the ground
House of cards
I’m gonna play this hand
House of cards
Cause I still can

 

bridge

This may be in- tox- i- cating
Doubt it’s anything more
What am I anticipating?
Another lonely score .    .    .

House of cards
Come tumbling down
House of cards
Fall to the ground
House of cards
I’m gonna play this hand
House of cards
Cause I still can

 

Soon to be released on the “House of Cards” album