No Song is Safe From Us

No Song Is Safe From Us - The NYFOS Blog
 |  Andrew Owens

Fionn’s music was instantly appealing: mellow, relaxing, with nimble finger-picking patterns and interesting chord progressions. Lyrically, his songs are incredibly poetic. I would wait eagerly for him to complete each phrase, curious as to which direction he was heading. His rhythmic use of words and his sense of imagery are commendable. Lyrically/musically, he evokes Dylan.. both Bob Dylan and Dylan Thomas, that is.




 |  Andrew Owens

When I was sixteen, I began taking formal voice lessons in Philadelphia. I found a teacher via a wonderful book on Mario Lanza I received for my birthday. I had just recently discovered him and was inhaling every book and record I could get my hands on. In this particular book, there were a number of testimonials from people who knew Mario, worked with him, or were inspired by his voice. One of these was written by Enrico Di Giuseppe, a wonderful tenor who enjoyed a long and productive career with the Metropolitan and NYCO from the 60s-80s in a variety of roles. At the conclusion of his chapter, he stated that he was teaching voice privately in Philadelphia. Inspired, I wrote him a lengthy letter requesting lessons. He called me one evening and we set up a trial lesson for that week. I brought him ‘Amor ti vieta’ from Fedora because “it’s short and only goes to an A”… his reaction was pretty priceless. After I bellowed my way through the aria like the sixteen year old baritenor I was, he handed me the “24 Italian Hits” and we started working together. He was my teacher for the next six years until his passing and in that time, he became very much like a grandfather to me.




 |  Andrew Owens

One thing, however, was certain: there would undoubtedly be a song from Ryan Adams… but which one? In many ways it’s the equivalent of a hardcore Beatles fan having to choose a single tune that sums up their feelings. Ryan is incredibly prolific: eighteen studio albums, scores of unreleased material that he teases on occasion, and singles albums he was recording and releasing monthly just a couple years ago.




 |  Andrew Owens

Anyone who knows me is aware of my fascination (to the point of obsession) with Neapolitan folk song. I’ve performed several recitals consisting solely of these gems, I’ve written numerous undergrad and grad school papers on the subject, and I’m currently assisting an Italian friend and colleague with her dissertation at the university in Vienna. Additionally, we will perform a joint recital there in January for which I’m very excited! While the texts are often very simple and straightforward, dealing with infatuation, heartbreak, homesickness, and love for the sun and sea, the music is staggeringly beautiful and infused with so much emotion.