MusicRX Finds a Wendy & Lisa ‘Hidden Treasure’!

After he ‘totally missed it’ for 10 years, Mog blogger, MusicRX describes how he found the Girl Bros album. In addition, MusicRX also gives a very good brief review of the album. It is wonderful to hear that, even after 10 years, this beautiful album is still finding new fans! YAY!!!
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A Hidden Treasure

I know... you're saying, "is he nuts?" Well, I would have said that too.

Before this week, I only knew of these gals as former Prince prodigies and cast offs, who do Prince like dance pop. Well I was wrong. They released this album about 10 years ago and I totally missed it.

But, it's a wonderful rock album. At times, it is Heart/Bangles like, others times it's more Joni Mitchell and Steven Still like. The vocals are not pretentious and oft times haunting. It also gets a bit psychedelic too. I really like what they do on this album and wanted you to hear this unexpected treasure.

To see the rest of the post and to hear a few tracks from the Girl Bros album, click here: MusicRX_Hidden_Treasure

Fans Post The New Wendy & Lisa ‘Salt & Cherries (MC5)’ Video!

Here are a few blog mentions from Wendy & Lisa fans regarding the ladies brand new video ‘Salt & Cherries (MC5)’ Video!

In his ‘Fierce Fridays’ series, John G. wrote a brief blog post about his love for Wendy & Lisa as well as their contributions to the music/television industry. Below is a snippet of his blog post. You will have to click here to view the rest: ‘Fierce Fridays: Wendy & Lisa’.

“If you think you only know them as "those girls from Prince & the
Revolution", you are mistaken. Their brilliant collaborations (Purple Rain, Around the World in a Day and Parade) with Prince might have thrust them into the public eye and Pop-consciousness but Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman established themselves as greatly skilled innovative artists in their own right long, long ago.

If you're not already a die-hard fan, as I am, it is possible that you might not be aware that they've released 5 studio albums (yes, I still say "album") since their Revolution days...“

‘Play B Sides’ also posted the video and had some very nice things to say about the ladies.

"One of the great records of this year for me is the new Wendy & Lisa joint White Flags of Winter Chimneys. It is a self-released record, and the promotion and distribution is handled by their little-but-mighty camp. Talking with them earlier this year I could get the sense that this release and their truly-independent approach to managing their careers was going to be a developing blueprint that other acts could look to for inspiration. They twitter, they blog, they podcast, they Facebook, they Amazon.com.

Today they released the video to the rawking “Salt & Cherries (MC5)” which features Wendy & Lisa in a live setting interspersed with fans lip-synching to the song. They asked for submissions from fans and they apparently got some really creative results!"

To read more and to see the video, click here: Play B Sides - Salt & Cherries

(Note: If you have trouble viewing this link, go to the ‘Play B Sides’ home page and scroll down to the August 12th post: Play B Sides Home Page)

Wendy & Lisa at The Largo, June 27th 2009 – My Memoires

If you ever get the opportunity to see Wendy & Lisa, live in concert, DO SO! You will be glad that you did; even if you have to travel cross country to do it!

On Saturday, June 27th, Wendy & Lisa performed at Largo at The Coronet Theater! Largo is a very small and cozy theater that seats almost 300. I think that I have been to movie theaters that seated more people. However, the smaller venue meant that every seat was a good seat! I was sitting in the 3rd row 3 seats from the left! Perfect!

Right before the show, we were instructed not to take photos & to not turn our phones on. Initially, I thought that the inability to Twitter was going to be excruciatingly painful. However, I soon realized that this was for the best. The venue is so small and intimate that any flash would have definitely disrupted the band. The inability to tweet, text, or take pics definitely meant that everyone in the audience could focus on the great music and truly enjoy the moment.

The stage featured a big screen in the background with two smaller PCs up front. One PC scrolled through some of the pics found on the Official Site (as well as additional pics not on the site) while the other scrolled through a screen saver.

Here's a very fuzzy picture of the stage (courtesy of my cheap camera which apparently takes fuzzy pictures when you don't use the flash in a dark room):

The stage set-up consisted of Lisa (on keyboard/guitar) on the far left, followed by Greg Leisz on pedal steel, Susannah Melvoin [Bramhall] & Libby Lavella (background vocals), Jeremy Stacey (on drums), and Chris Bruce (on bass) at the far right. Wendy, of course, stood front-center stage.

Here is the set list from the Official Website:

1. Waterfall

2. Lolly Lolly

3. Reaching One

4. Balloon

5. Invisible

6. Red Bike

7. Niagra Falls

8. INSTRUMENTAL (w&l, no band): the Guise of Love/You and I/Jonathan

9. All I Wonder

10. Waiting for Coffee

11. Love Song (Elton John cover)

12. Love and Trouble

13. Mother of Pearl

14. But Not For Me (Jazz Standard)

encore: 15. Are You There? (Dionne Warwick cover)


Throughout the show, the large screen in the background featured vintage video footage. The footage featured a lot of video from the Civil Rights era (1960s) as well as video of a young Fidel Castro and other 'less serious' footage.

For me, some of the most memorable moments of the concert actually resulted from some of the footage. Specifically, the footage played during the performances of Invisible and Red Bike made me see those songs in a completely different light. Image Wendy singing 'Invisible... I will not be' while, in the background, civil rights pioneers like Huey P. Newton and Martin Luther King are marching in the background defying to be 'invisible'. Also, there was a truly perfectly timed moment when Wendy was singing Red Bike. At one point, she was belting through the chorus "I'm freeeee" and in the background there were young African-Americans holding up 'Freedom Riders' signs. The background video was perfect during those two songs and completely put a whole new spin on their meaning for me. It was a great moment!

Another memorable moment occurred during the performances of 'You and I' and 'Jonathan'. Prior to these songs there was a lot of jovial back-and-forth between Wendy and Lisa. However, during the performance of 'You and I', I could definitely notice a change in Lisa's demeanor. She got really serious during the performance of 'You and I', which I just attributed to the fact that it IS a sad song. However, while she was singing 'Jonathan', she started to cry and you definitely knew something was not right (it definitely wasn't part of the show). Now, I sincerely hope that this does not come off being mean because it definitely is not my intent. However, the performance of 'Jonathan' was like emotional tennis for me. Lisa began crying during the song. However, Wendy was doing her damnedest to make Lisa laugh and cheer her up. So, I look left and see Lisa crying (sad), then I look right and see Wendy making all kinds of funny faces at Lisa (funny). Look left again and Lisa is still crying (sad - she doesn't see Wendy). I look right again and Wendy looks like she is mentally willing for Lisa to take just one look at her so that she can make her laugh with crazy facial expressions (really funny). So, I look left, sad, and then look right, happy. It was truly like a weird sad, happy, sad, happy tennis match. In the end, Wendy lost: Lisa never looked at her. However, through much concentration, Lisa got through the song and let us all know that a close friend of hers had died that week (sad again). I do give Wendy tons of credit, however, for truly trying hard to make her friend laugh! Her efforts did not go un-noticed... well, it did with Lisa... but not me :)

As for the music... it was GREAT! I was curious to see how the music would be played with a band considering their music is so complex (especially the music from White Flags). Songs such as ‘Niagra Falls’ sounds like there are at least 8 different instruments on it. With a 5-piece band, I was wondering how they would make up for the additional instruments. However, they definitely pulled it off! The songs sounded mostly the same except the ‘layered’ sounds were replaced by more complex chord arrangements from Wendy on guitar. I am sure that statement would make more sense if you could hear the music (hint hint for a live album). I t is hard explaining in words what you can truly only understand with your ears. There is older live footage of Wendy & Lisa on YouTube that will definitely give you an idea of what I am trying to explain (albeit inadequately). However, some of the songs were stripped down and were actually made more beautiful as a result.

Almost (but not quite) as enjoyable as the music is the banter between Wendy and Lisa. They are like female versions of Laurel and Hardy. They are constantly joking with each other which makes the 'down times' (like when Wendy is toning her guitar) much more pleasurable. For example, when introducing each other, Lisa called Wendy her 'Evil Half'. There was this truly horrible 'Ukrainian Whore' joke which I won't repeat, but they both should be ashamed of themselves :) After performing 'Invisible' Wendy proceeded to tell a story about getting kicked out of a restaurant in Nice, France for ordering a salad (the horror). Throughout the show, Lisa kept joking that a toy bus that was sitting on her keyboard was their 'tour bus' until they could get more funds. Clearly, I am not making it sound funny, but take my word for it; they were FUNNY!

Another pretty funny moment occurred after 'Niagra Falls'. There was a quiet moment (when Wendy is tuning her guitar) & someone yells out 'play Stones & Birth' so loud that we all hear. Wendy takes a moment to think and realizes that she can't remember the lyrics. So then someone in the first row proceeds to sing the song out loud. Wendy kinda remembers some of the lyrics but then forgets again. At that point, Lisa says that 'No!' they can't sing the song and we all laughed.

One of the cutest moments during the show happened at the very end. During the final moments of the show, you can see this hand (holding a camera) sticking out of the curtain on the right side of the stage. It turns out that the hand belonged to Doyle Bramhall II who was taking some video of his sister-in-law and wife. At the end, Wendy also brought out Susannah's oldest daughter out to say 'Hi'. It was a true family affair! Speaking of Susannah, she was her normal terrific self during the concert! You can always tell that she really enjoys singing when she performs. As usual, she was in 'the zone' singing and dancing during the concert. She is always fun to watch during shows and this was definitely no exception!

As if the great concert wasn’t enough... there was a Meet & Greet after the show! Immediately after the show, people began lining up to meet Wendy & Lisa. Unfortunately, I did not see this line until it was about 20-30 people deep! Anyway, I made my way to the end of the line and enjoyed The Largo pictures and artwork until... it was my turn!

This was my first time meeting Wendy and Lisa. It’s funny, on Twitter, I have had conversations with other fans who have not met them. We had a discussion on whether we would be nervous meeting them. I think I was the only one who said that I would not. True to my word, I wasn’t nervous but I think that my lack of nerves had much more to do with a lack of sleep than the circumstances at hand.

When I get to the table, Lisa sees me and mouths “MIKDEV!”, which is freaking awesome! That is the power of social media! ‘Mikdev’ is my Twitter name and I’m guessing Lisa recognized me from Facebook. It honestly never occurred to me that they would recognize me or know who I was but, perhaps, I was momentarily caught up in the Twighlight Zone :) It is a testament to how they actually pay attention to us fans. Truly amazing! Lisa was also kind enough to mention that she enjoyed (and thought was funny) the pics that I have posted on this blog (look to the right).

The first thing that I ask is whether I could take a picture of them and, of course, they said ‘Yes!’. So, I go behind the tables (where they were sitting) and get the biggest hugs (and kisses) from both of the ladies. They are soooo nice! No one should ever feel nervous around them because they seem like they are two of the nicest people on Earth. They very quickly put you at ease and make you feel comfortable. They were nice enough to take a couple of pictures with me and then I ask them to sign my poster, to which Lisa said ‘No!’ She was obviously kidding!

After taking the pics, I move back to the other side of the table and as Lisa is autographing my poster, I am face-to-face with Wendy Melvoin! As a second testament to how much they pay attention to their fans, Wendy proceeds to tell me that she read one of my blog posts and had a question for me. WTF?! I’m thinking “OMG! I wasn’t expecting questions!” Wendy recalls, in a blog post, that I mentioned how I kind of ‘lost track’ of them at one point and then ‘discovered’ them again. She asks me, basically, how I lost track. I tell her that I listen mainly to 'Urban' radio and that I remember the first two albums were played on Urban radio. However, since the 3rd and 4th albums were ‘alternative’, I never really heard about those albums (note to self: when speaking to favorite musicians, it might not be good to mention the fact that their albums have not gotten enough radio play).

So, I think that the questioning is over, but then she asks me how I managed to ‘find them’ again. In my mind, I am saying ‘WTF?!’ again because I have no idea how to answer the question. I mean, I understood the words and what she was asking me, but I was clueless on what the answer was (which is sad given that I wrote the blog post). So, I proceed to tell her that I had lost track of them after ‘Fruit At The Bottom’ but found out about ‘Eroica’ and ‘Girl Bros’ through the Internet. In my mind, I am thinking ‘Whew! I got through that question without saying anything stupid’.

Well, Wendy then proceeds to ask me what made me purchase ‘Eroica’ and ‘Girl Bros’. Again, “WTF?!” came to mind and I wondered if I could just donate a kidney rather than risk sounding stupid (again after the radio play comment) by rambling off a crazy answer because I’m not sure of the 'actual' answer. Well, I proceed to ramble! I enter into ‘fan mode’ and start talking about how ‘wonderful their music is’ and how ‘complex and layered it is’ and how ‘I bought the albums because I knew that I would enjoy them’... and on and on and on! I’m not sure what happened; maybe I started to make Wendy a little uncomfortable with the adulation or maybe she realized that my consistent rambling wasn’t getting her any closer to an answer. However, she finally said ‘Thank you’ and that I had answered her question. Thank Goodness!!!!!

Even after that mini-inquisition, Lisa, Wendy, and I still managed to talk a little bit about Pres. Obama and Girl Bros. Radio. Apparently, Wendy was thinking that it would be a good idea to let us call in LIVE on the radio. I second that idea! It would be fun, and she could ask us fans some really, really, complicated questions that really aren’t that complicated but, because we are actually on the phone with her, would seem really, really complicated and we could ramble crazy fan-induced compliments that really don’t answer her questions but somehow satisfies her curiosity :)

As you can tell, Wendy and Lisa were very generous with their time and were very patient speaking, taking pictures, and signing autographs with each of us. I seriously doubt that you will find many musicians willing to take as much time out for their fans... especially at a Meet and Greet where some musicians would usher you in and out in about 5 seconds flat.

I can't say enough times how enjoyable and how much fun the show was! It was well worth the cross-country trip and I would strongly encourage everybody to try and see Wendy & Lisa perform live! You definitely will not be disappointed! It was an amazing show and I am grateful to have been there!

If you DO manage to see them on Aug. 1st, here is some advice:

1. Come prepared with a few compliments. No matter how hard/easy the questions are that they may ask, you can easily get out of answering them by dishing out a few compliments.
   
2. Don’t be afraid to bring your ‘good’ camera! At The Largo, they do not appear to mind if you bring a camera just as long as you do not take pictures during the show! I wasn’t sure, so I bought my cheap compact camera, which was a mistake since I could have taken much better pictures at the Meet & Greet. So, bring your nice big expensive camera... just don’t take any pics during the show :)

Here are a few pictures along with the cool poster that they signed!

THANK YOU Wendy & Lisa for the great memories!!!

Two New WFOWC Reviews This Week

This week, Wendy & Lisa's White Flags of Winter Chimneys received two album reviews which were both very positive (which can only expected).

The first review comes from Pampelmoose.com. Below is a brief excerpt.

'Thankfully for Wendy & Lisa, the years have been kinder to them than they have to their former employer, musically speaking, as evidenced by this, the duo’s first album in a decade. Their approach to songwriting hasn’t altered much, but the work on White Flags feels as mature and fully formed as ever.

It’s an album that is instantly recognizable as a byproduct of the duo’s adopted hometown of Los Angeles, bearing the sun-baked haziness that has marked so many of the best pop records to come out of the city. It’s there in the rambling tempo and sparkling cool of songs like “Red Bike” and “Invisible”, as well as the album’s overall relaxed, yet assured tone.'

To read the entire review, click here: Pampelmoose WFOWC Review
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The second review comes from the Feminist Review blog. Below is a brief excerpt of the review.

'White Flags of Winter Chimneys is all about atmosphere, which is to say it’s thick with textured vocal and string arrangements that form a kind of cloudy yet bright mixture of sounds. Though containing only nine songs, this album is both energetic and sprawling, making it a kind of mini-epic. The opening track, “Balloon,” is an ethereal, almost childlike, meditation that gives way to the choral and guitar-heavy pop ballad, “Invisible.” There’s something ominous about “Niagara Falls,” in which Wendy and Lisa hauntingly repeat, “It looks so small from here/Please don’t help me.” Despite their sweet and smooth voices, there’s a sincere melancholy that comes through.'

To read the entire review, please click here: Feminist Review of WFOWC

(sites last visited: July 4, 2009)

Daryle Lockhart Talks About "Growing up on Wendy & Lisa"

In an entertaining testimony, marketer-DJ-filmmaker-musician and blogger, Daryle Lockhart talks about the influence that Wendy & Lisa had on his musical development as well as how Wendy & Lisa have indirectly chosen his girlfriends (and now) wife. Below is an excerpt from his article.

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Being a Wendy & Lisa fan, for me, was like belonging to a frat. "Stones & Birth" is a password. If you say it or play it, and someone understands it, you know that you share an experience with someone. That experience of sitting with headphones and hearing layer after layer of clashes and resolutions. Feeling like you'd discovered something. I know for a fact that I dated girls in college who appreciated the first W&L album, and if they didn't, well, they were probably really good looking so it didn't matter.

To read the rest of his article, please visit the following site (note: not sure if clicking the link will work. You may have to copy/paste link): http://darylelockhart.com/?p=183

(site last visited June 18, 2009)

Den Of Geek: Heroes Original Score CD review

Recently, Den of Geek wrote a very nice review for the new Heroes Soundtrack written by Lisa Coleman and Wendy Melvoin (Wendy & Lisa).

Below is a sample of the review:

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Heroes: Original Score CD review
Nick Smith

The hidden music of Heroes gets better exposure, courtesy of its brand new score CD...
Published on Jun 8, 2009

One of the most noticeable things about the music in Heroes is that it's so unnoticeable. There's a reason why incidental music is so-called; it's there to get us from one scene to another, not drown out the dialogue and tell us how to feel. But Heroes composer/performers Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman try their best not to stand out.

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To read the review in its entirety, please click the following link: Den Of Geek Review

(site last visited: June 08, 2009)

Wendy & Lisa continue the Revolution with "White Flags of Winter Chimneys" by Carl (We Heart Music)

For those who are unfamiliar with Wendy & Lisa, the duo of Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman are the most celebrated members to work with Prince as members of the Revolution; Wendy on rhythm guitar and vocals and Lisa on keyboards and vocals. They are widely acknowledged as having contributed substantially to Prince’s sound during his most creative and successful period: Purple Rain, Parade, and Around the World in a Day.

In 1986 when Prince disbanded the Revolution, childhood friends Wendy & Lisa went on to start their career as a recording duo. The next year they released their first album simply titled Wendy & Lisa, with the lead single “Waterfall” receiving some airplay. The album was moderately successful and it opened the doors for them to continue as recording artists.

To read more, please click here: http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/article/2009/05/16/music-wendy-lisa-continue-revolution-white-flags-winter-chimneys.html

(site last visited May 17, 2009)

Review: The Heroes soundtrack proves that Heroes' true heroes are its composers

At least two seasons past due, here is a disk of soundtrack goodies from Heroes, composed by Wendy (Melvoin) and Lisa (Coleman). It's more a collection of character themes, for the most part, aside from the main theme and two tracks taken from important scenes (9, "Kirby Plaza," and 10, "Fire and Regeneration"). But let's not quibble. This is meaty stuff, and it repays multiple listenings, preferably on headphones, so you can tweeze out the production layering, which is very satisfying.

To read more, please click here: http://scifiwire.com/2009/05/review-heroes-soundtrack.php

(site last visited May 17, 2009)

Music Review: Wendy & Lisa’s Girl Bros. (The HiveMind)

I have spent several months purchasing all of Wendy & Lisa’s albums in my quest to earn my musical Ph.D. in their solo work. The Girl Bros. LP is the last album I needed to complete my thesis and graduate from the University of Wendy & Lisa. Now, allow me to present my thesis defense and obtain my doctorate.

Based on what I heard and read online, I knew that the Girl Bros. LP - originally released in 1998 and re-released (digital only) in 2009 - is a more somber sounding album from Wendy & Lisa than previous releases. I have read that the album was part tribute to Wendy’s late brother, Jonathan Melvoin, (touring keyboardist for The Smashing Pumpkins) and was made during the breakup of Wendy & Lisa’s romantic relationship. As a result, I knew that Girl Bros. would be the opposite of Fruit at the Bottom - a fun, exuberant album that often makes me smile when listening to it. However, the somber sounds and lyrics on Girl Bros. are not something that made me long for previous Wendy & Lisa-sounding albums. In fact, I find Girl Bros. the most interesting because it is a clear turning point in their musical careers. Where Eroica started shifting Wendy & Lisa’s sound from their previous two albums, Girl Bros. took an exit off the freeway into a new yet pleasing direction.

To read more, please click here: http://www.writetilt.com/2009/03/31/music-review-wendy-lisas-girl-bros/

Wendy & Lisa: White Flags Of Winter Chimneys Review by Dan Everett

Some folks may remember Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman from their work with Prince & The Revolution. You can see them in the film ‘Purple Rain’, standing either side of the pint-sized funk flaneur during his climactic performance of the title tune. More than mere accompaniment for Prince’s project, they had a significant influence on his musical direction during that period when he moved from straight disco-funk to…well, Prince. Once their employer found a new direction, Wendy & Lisa seemed to disappear from view. In fact, they have never stopped writing and performing, even touching the charts in the early ’90s with a few hits of their own. They have also been working tirelessly behind the scenes in the music industry, producing and writing for others, and are the creative force behind the music for the TV series ‘Heroes’.
To read more, please click here: http://wearsthetrousers.com/2009/03/08/wendy-lisa-white-flags-of-winter-chimneys-2009/

(site last visited May 17, 2009)

Music Review: Wendy & Lisa’s White Flags of Winter Chimneys

It’s been approximately four months since I reconnected with my love of all things Wendy and Lisa. During that time, Wendy and Lisa released White Flags of Winter Chimneys - their first album since 1998’s Girl Bros - through their website on December 9, 2008. For me, White Flags of Winter Chimneys was an exciting and hotly anticipated music release. I’d just began my musical journey with Wendy and Lisa’s solo work with their first album, Wendy and Lisa, in early November 2008. Although I’d heard some music from different phases of their solo career, I was still missing the full spectrum of Wendy and Lisa’s evolution as artists. After hearing Balloon and Invisible - two tracks from their new album - I was intrigued by their musical direction. As a long time fan taking a crash course in Wendy and Lisa’s music, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect with the new album other than an alternative/rock feel. I’d dropped any preconceived notions that Wendy and Lisa needed to sound like The Revolution era long ago, and I was musically open and receptive to what they were doing now. Even though I was still playing catch up at the time, I had a gut instinct that White Flags of Winter Chimneys would be a musical experience to behold. I was glad my instincts were right.

To read more, please click here: http://www.writetilt.com/2009/02/08/music-review-wendy-lisas-white-flags-of-winter-chimneys/

(site last visited May 17, 2009)

Wendy and Lisa (@Wendyandlisa): Pretty Cool Tweeps! by Mikdev

It's not everyday that you get to meet a couple of your musical heroes (pun intended), but that is exactly what happened when I found Wend and Lisa on Twittter! I have been a fan of theirs since the 80s (just writing that makes me feel old) when they were 40% (two-fifths for the fraction challenged) of my all-time favorite band, The Revolution! As a matter of fact, I can remember crying like the emotionally fragile teen-ager that I was, when I heard on MTV News that the band disbanded :( Anyway, despite being sans-Prince, I continued to follow them through their first two albums but then, unfortunately, lost track of them...

I listen to mainly 'Urban' radio and remember that their first couple of albums was played on Urban radio due to the albums' more 'funk' and r&b feel. However, their next two albums definitely fit the 'alternative' genre and didn't get much (if any) airplay on Urban radio. Therefore, I did not knowingly come across their work until I happened to be watching an episode of Jordan's Crossing. The credits read that the score was produced by 'Wendy Melvoin & Lisa Coleman'. I remember my first thought was 'WTH? They are STILL working together?' (Yep! I was clueless). Still, I didn't really think too much else of the duo until a couple of years ago when I came across my old Fruit on The Bottom cassette (feeling old again). I decided to do a quick ‘internets’ search and was ecstatic to find that they had released two albums in my unfortunate fan-absence. After being introduced (and thoroughly enjoying) their new and alternative genre of music, I knew that I was hopping on their bandwagon and would be enjoying the ride!

Forward to a few months ago when I found out they (actually, at the time, only Lisa) was using Twitter! I was ebullient (zestfully enthusiastic) and joined Twitter, in part, so that I could follow them (sounds stalkish… but I’m safe) and my friend @mizerock (since then, however, I have been lucky enough to find many more cool tweeps that I follow). I figured that they probably wouldn't utilize Twitter much and would probably only use it to plug their album (like other famous Twitterers that I won't name). However, I was pleasantly surprised! They are truly hilarious! Wow! You just have to take a look at some of the pictures in their older Tweets to see what I'm talking about! Not only are they funny but they also seem to be kind and patient. I know that I probably would have given some pretty nasty replies to a couple of the questions that they have been asked. However, they seem to respond with a humor and grace that quickly defuses what could be an uncomfortable moment. Also, I have to confess, they have been the recipients of some of my stupidest, corniest, fan-euphoric filled Tweets AND they haven't blocked me YET (although the year is still early)! The fact that I haven't been blocked despite stupid Tweeting proves that they have expanded their motherhood skills of working patiently with toddlers to tweeting patiently with sometimes demented sounding adults. Bravo!

Amazingly, they tweet just about daily and don’t mind letting you know what’s going on in their lives, be it major or insignificant. For example, they have tweeted about the lows of the repeal of Prop. 8, the highs of the release of their new album, and the joys/struggles of motherhood. In addition, they have taken us followers along to Lens Crafters, dental appointments, and television buying. Part of what makes following them fun is that nothing is too trivial for them to tweet (and take pictures) about! We have also been privy to ‘behind the scenes’ pics of their jobs scoring for ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nurse Jackie’ (a pic of ‘Virtuosity’ MUST be coming soon), as well as pics of a few of their interviews.

So to conclude my incessant flattery, I would like to thank Wendy and Lisa for being 'Cool Tweeps'! Your amusing anecdotes, funny photos, and mental musings make following you on Twitter extremely fun and enjoyable! You are two of the coolest rocker moms that I have never actually met ;-)

Wendy and Lisa's White Flags of Winter Chimneys = White Flages of Winter Bliss! by Mikdev

Personally, I would call this album 'White Flags of Winter Bliss'! Corny? Absolutely! But this album has been 10 years coming. This is the 5th and latest album by Wendy and Lisa ("Wendy and Lisa", "Fruit at the Bottom", "Eroica", and "Girl Bros" being the others in chronological order). I feel that White Flags of Winter Chimneys is some of their best work, perhaps only rivaled by "Eroica".

The album begins with 'Balloon', a dreamy ballad with melodies as seemingly buoyant as the balloon described in the lyrics. The slowness of the song fools you into thinking that the rest of the album will follow the same wistful suit. However, Invisible will keep you guessing as to what direction the album is headed.

If Joni Mitchell’s vocals could wed music from the Beatles, their offspring would sound like Invisible! This song has been said to be a post break-up song about the two. However, the song could just as easily be applied to other break-ups that they have experienced ;-) Similar to the album, the song appears to seamlessly switch melodies throughout; ranging from rock in the main parts of the song to a Sgt. Pepper-like chorus. Whomever this song is about truly receives the Ire of Wendy towards the end of this song!

Switching gears yet again, ‘Ever After’ is a haunting ballad (again a little reminiscent of the Beatles) with opening vocals prominently featuring BOTH of the ladies for a nice change (instead of the usual one or the other). The chorus proclaims “Love lives ever after, but I don’t want to die any faster” which is definitely something that Romeo would never profess to Juliet (oops! I hope I didn't spoil the end of the play... as if that wasn't required reading in school). However, the song superbly describes how one feels when ‘moving on’ after the loss of a loved one (be it through a relationship break-up or even a death).

Continuing the see-sawing down-tempo/up-tempo theme, the next song is my 2nd favorite from the album: Salt N Cherries (MC5). This song gets your hear pumpin’, feet thumpin’, in an incantation of rock euphoria! If this song doesn’t get some part of your body moving, it’s time to lower the dosage on your sedatives ;-) It is the most spirited and fun song on the album: True fun through music!

Coming down from that rock-spirited high brings us ‘Niagra Falls’. Quite a few other fans have cited this song as one of their favorites, however, I feel more lukewarm about it. It is undoubtedly a fun song, however. ‘Niagra Falls’ is a song that would be even more appreciated if played while cruising in a convertible on a long trip, relaxing on a beach, or basically anywhere else that allows both great scenery and good times.

‘Red Bike’ is my 3rd favorite song on the album! I think it is amusing that the song's title is mentioned in the first sentence of the song and no where else. I keep wanting to call the song “I’m Free” which is the much more recited phrase in the song! This song is also a rock-centered number, although more restrained than Salt N Cherries. ‘Red Bike’ also seems to be a little bit inspired from their day job (scoring ‘Heroes’). Every time I hear the bells during the beginning of the song, I expect Sylar to come around the corner with index-finger drawn :) It is also nice to see that Wendy feels a little more comfortable with publicly singing about a woman. Even though there have been a few mentions of women in previous songs, it is much more open and prominent in this song. Hopefully, we are making enough strides in society so that artists can be whom they want to be without severe repercussions (I wonder if Elton John will ever sing about another man or will it take much longer for society to be able to accept that?).

‘You and I’ is one of the most captivating songs on the album both lyrically and musically. The song opens with the lyrics “Sun kills the moon, the moon starts to cry, the rivers fight the oceans, the oceans rage at night. You and I… running out of time”. What imagery! ‘You and I’ proves that you don't need a full band to make a great song! Its intense beauty lies in the touching lyrics and beautiful acoustic guitar playing for which Wendy is legendary.

‘White Flags of Winter Chimneys’ is the tile track to the album, but interestingly, it does not really stand out compared to some of the other songs on the album. It is a beautiful song but seems to lack some of the more complex melodies and lyrics associated with the other songs. Nevertheless, it is still a good song but not exactly my favorite.

Finally! My favorite song on the album is the final cut (saving the best for last) called ‘Sweet Suite (Beginning at the End)’. The song ingeniously seems to begin where Balloon ended, bringing the listener back full-circle. In my opinion, ‘Sweet Suite’ is the musical equivalent of Picasso’s “Weeping Woman”. Just as Picasso uses a multitude of splendid colors to bring life to his art, Wendy and Lisa use a multitude of overlapping symphonic movements to bring life to ‘Sweet Suite’. The song begins with amazing piano work by Lisa who somehow is able to covey, through her piano, the sadness depicted by the lyrics of missing (both figuratively and literally) a former love. After a few verses of heartbreaking lyrics, the song then breaks out into a full instrumental that is absolutely worthy of being in a hit movie! This song exemplifies some of Wendy and Lisa’s best work to date and is the perfect way to cap-off a truly terrific album!

White Flags of Winter Chimneys is an amazingly beautiful, thoughtful, and poignant album. I love the album, and it has been on my iPhone in heavy rotation since it came out in December. My only hope, for them, is they do not wait another 10 years to give us another chance at this awesome experience!

5 Reasons Why I Love Wendy & Lisa (The HiveMind)

One of my brothers recently told me, “You know what? I believe you liked Wendy and Lisa more than you did Prince back in the day.” I merely smiled and laughed. I then said, “You’re probably right.”

I have special memories of Wendy and Lisa while growing up, and I have my own reasons why I love the super duo. Here’s a few:

1. Girl Rockers Rule…Especially if You’ve Never Seen Any Before

As I kid growing up the 80s, I wasn’t exposed to many “girl rockers” in the beginning. I didn’t have MTV at the time, so I caught music videos on some generic local channel that played videos sometimes. Other than Joan Jett, I didn’t see any other female rockers playing instruments…until I spotted Lisa in Prince’s “1999″ video playing keyboards. While I was fascinated by all of the members in Prince’s pre-Revolution band, Lisa drew my attention the most. She sung on the record; she played keyboards; she dressed in “cool clothes,” and she rocked! Of course, I didn’t understand why the “blond looking Madonna chick” was dancing up close to Lisa while she played keyboards, but I remember always watching out for Lisa every time that video or “Little Red Corvette” came on.

To read more, please click here: http://www.writetilt.com/2008/12/18/5-reasons-why-i-love-wendy-lisa/

(site last visited May 17, 2009)

Wendy & Lisa - near the Pacific, but not Pacifico - Jan 25

If you are in Wendy & Lisa's fan base, you are probably Far Too Famous to read lil' ol' Katrina. But if you're not, it's never too late.

Therefore, take note that Wendy & Lisa's residency at Largo Los Angeles is being continued into 2006. The new shows are duo-only, their temporary autonomous supergroup Pacifico (with folks like Mike Elizondo, Jr. and Doyle Bramhall II, and guests Eric Clapton and Nikka Costa et al.) having scattered to the winds of individual responsibility. But with the duo's dual responsibility in LA, they get to carry on the fun.

If you're in the LA area (or, if you're crazy like me and will fly in from Austin for these things), this intimate venue is the right place to check a group out. Largo is one of those places where the atmosphere is homey and -- like a home -- it incubates the unexpected.

If you're looking for Prince-like music, you are likely to be disappointed. Sorry. Since breaking the tethers of Columbia Records in the late 80s, Wendy & Lisa have gone fairly far afield into their own sound, a kind of singer songwriter meets alternative meets jazz piano with extra notes thrown into the chords. 1990's Eroica presaged the next several years of female alternapop, sounding like Sheryl Crow, the Indigo Girls, and Alannah Myles about two years before those artists or anyone sounding like that had ever hit radio. Mainstream media on this side of the pond didn't notice, but folks like k. d. lang and Michael Penn did, coming along for the ride. Since, the two have been mostly musician's musicians, which becomes obvious the minute you enter any venue in which they play.

The last show I atteneded at Largo was crowded with "close personal friends" from the biz (some of whom, like Eric Clapton, jumped up on stage to jam), and a few lil' folks like myself. So, if you want to know what Wendy & Lisa sound like, you probably already do, even though you've never heard Eroica or Girl Bros. Think early Seal (that's them), Neil Finn (yep), Sheryl Crow's "My Favorite Mistake" (okay, that's just one of them), Eric Clapton's Reptile or Riding with the King (oh, hi there again), and dozens of lesser known artists they songwrite and work with. If you're an Austin person, think Doyle Bramhall II's post-Arc Angels career.

Just do Miss Katrina a favor, and don't listen to any of the tracks on the "Wendy & Lisa" page on MySpace. I'm not sure who selected those, but they're ancient, "the label says we have to sound like Prince to keep our contract" nonsense. Better ignored, really. Oh, yeah - and do go see them at Largo if you're near LA, or just crazy like me. Wednesday, January 25 is the next show. The eve of Wendy's birthday, I can only imagine the surprises up this time.

Cross-posted from a rant at Prince.org

A poster at Prince.org asked "Why are Jill Jones and Wendy & Lisa so overrated?"

Despite the obvious baiting, I decided to take the thing around the block for a ride, and felt happily ranty enough to crosspost it here . . . [And then, much later, contribute it to Mikdev's site. Poor thing! - ed.]

I think the question of overrated and underrated regarding W&L has to do with the period in question and who's doing the rating.

I'll throw you a bone here. In terms of Prince's overall output and career, I think that Wendy & Lisa are overrated in terms of that period. Equally, I think that in the Prince community that period of Wendy & Lisa's lives is overrated in terms of its impact to their overall career.

The Prince years were, without question, fundamental to Wendy & Lisa's careers. Would they have had musical careers without the Prince connection? I don't doubt it - certainly their musical brothers had the Prince connection as well, but that wasn't what they leveraged on their ways to work with later artists. The whole extended family had musical connections, and so while Wendy and Lisa would have radically different musical careers without the Revolution days, I have no doubt they'd still have worked in the industry as the respected sessionists and songwriters they are.

When I look at Wendy & Lisa, I see musicians' musicians. Last week's Largo show was proof of that: Eric Clapton, John Mayers, Seal, Alicia Keys, and many others in the crowd were industry types out to support a group of musicians that clearly spoke to them in their own language. And certainly this shows in the fact they're still in demand as songwriters and sessionists - both for new artists working to establish themselves (Van Hunt, OK Go, and The Like) as well as a very diverse group big names who see in their work something key to work with (Tricky, Gwen Stefani, Eric Clapton, etc, etc.)

I don't think these musicians are choosing to work with Wendy & Lisa as musicians, songwriters and producers because of some over-rated hype. Clearly folks Eric Clapton can take their pick of musicians and songwriters. When we get into the current period of Wendy & Lisa's career, I would have to say that their music is held in high esteem by their peers and fairly underrated outside the industry.

So let's get back to that bone I'm ready to throw you.

When I listen to the old Prince music, I hear some very young women who were still growing into themselves, and had yet to become the incredibly competent and strong musicians they are today. Given their youth, I'm very impressed - things like Lisa's piano solos on "Anotherloverholenyohead," stopping on a dime in a key whispered in her head only a few minutes before? Impressive, but . . . not where she is now in terms of her scoring work. Wendy's ability to hold the energy of a massive stadium crowd and lead the band during the Parade tour? Good stuff - unquestionably - but compared to her jam with Eric Clapton and Doyle Bramhall II at Largo last week, it was really only prep work.

So here's what I'll say. Over the last 20 years Wendy & Lisa have just begun to hit their full stride in perhaps the last 8 (since Girl Bros, and hence after most of their albums were released). Compared to what they are doing now in their session, songwriting and scoring work, the Revolution work is indeed highly overrated.

Here's my question for you. Do you also believe that Prince has grown, challenged and extended his work over the last 20 years? Can you say of him that his work now, compared to the Revolution days, is better, worse, or about the same? And if he's not continuing to challenge himself to get better over time, why not?

Pacifico - mini-review

Musically thinking, I think I can die happy now.

A full review has already been promised once I've returned to my regularly scheduled life. [If I ever wrote it, I never posted it. - Ed.]

Let me just say for now:

• If I'd just been to see Wendy & Lisa and crew live for the first time in seven years with my fabulous and amazing girlfriend - that would have been enough.
• Sitting absolute front and center at a table a couple of feet from the tiny stage? (And my sweet love making sure I had the best Lisa seat?) That would have been enough.
• And if I'd just seen the bit where Nikki Costa did lead vocals on their cover of the Beatles' "Yer Blues," that would have been enough.
• Seeing Cole back on stage singing backing doo wop vocals with Susannah for the first time in probably 15 years (albeit roughly) - that would have been enough.
• And knowing that I was in the same very small club with that purple guy also watching them (even if he didn't accept the invitation to come onstage and play)? Lots of enoughness there, too.

All pretty cool stuff. But that 20 minutes where the guitar god himself came up on stage and we were less than six feet away from the stage when Eric Clapton, Doyle Bramhall II and Wendy Melvoin were trading guitar licks and admiring solos on "Trying to Keep it Real (Compared to What?)" That piece out of time where Eric admired Doyle as much as Wendy clearly idolized Eric and we all just fell out of time into the perfect musical nirvana of a seamless jam?

Yes, that.

Musically speaking, I really can die happy now. As Susannah said - you know, this is what it's all about - just a few friends and family getting together to play some music. No big deal. That said - Prince is lucky he declined the offer to get on stage to play "Raspberry Beret". I'm every bit serious when I say even he, even with them, couldn't possibly have followed that . . .

Six Degrees of Wendy & Lisa

So, I was listening to MeShell Ndegeocello's Bitter on the ride to work, and to amuse myself started thinking of all the different little configurations this Pacifico band have played as over the years.

I came up with a decent list in my head and then spent a few minutes Googling to come up with this list:

The object - to find as many bands as possible with three out of the six Pacifico members (Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Doyle Bramhall II, Susannah Melvoin, Abe Laboriel Jr. and Mike Elizondo).

I had to make the cut off at three or more members, as two is sort of a no brainer. Wither Lisa goest, there goest Wendy, or something like that.

I came up with . . .

6
Pacifico (duh)

5
Bramhall (DBII, W, L, S, AL Jr.)
Girl Bros. (Roxy Lineup, DBII, W, L, S, AL Jr.)
Seal (1994, W, L, S, AL Jr.)
Eric Clapton, (as yet unreleased, DBII, W, S, ME, AL Jr.)

4
MeShell Ndegeocello (Bitter, DBII, W, L, AL Jr.)
Neil Finn (One Nil, One All, DBII, W, L, S)
Sheryl Crow (C'mon, C'mon, DBII, W, ME)

3
Wendy & Lisa ('87-'90, W, L, S)
Prince & the Revolution ('85-'87, W, L, S)
Seal (1990, W, L, S)
Eric Clapton & B. B. King (Riding with the King, W, S, DBII)
Lisa Marie Presley (DBII, W, ME)

I could have done a LOT more with going down to 2 not only with W&L stuff but W&DBII, DBII & Abe Laboriel, DBII and Susannah (Roger Waters!!), etc. But that way lies madness.

I also learned that Mike Elizondo co-wrote some of my favorite Eminem singles and the "In Da Club" song - and has a band on the Verve label with Sean Lennon and Miho Hatori of Cibo Matto. Much coolness.

I am so having the jones to watch my Girl Bros. concert before I go, but no time!

Girl Brothers Network Issue Four

The fourth issue of GBN Magazine is "almost done," according to a recent post from a staffer. The Eroica-themed issue will also include current news and pics from Wendy & Lisa's work with Neil Finn. You can sneak a peek at the cover, check out back issues, or get information on joining the Network at GBNetwork Online.

Girl Brothers Network Mugs

Girl Brothers Network members can expect a pleasant holiday surprise in their mailboxes this week. The staff of GBNetwork Magazine has sent out shiny black mugs with the Girl Bros. logo. The third issue of the fan magazine should also be arriving in mailboxes shortly. You can find out more about GBN at the new GBN website.