Candid Calculations

On Passion and Reason

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everyone needs reminders sometimes…

frankbell:

From the interview at Tunecore.com:

We wrote it one night when Deej got a very sobering phone call right in the middle of a session.  He stepped outside to talk, but I could feel the emotion in the conversation, even though we were separated by walls.  He came back in, sat in his chair, and stared at the floor.  There was this whole mood of intensity and sorrow.  I picked up the guitar, on the verge of tears, and started strumming. Deej was waiting on a follow up call, but in the meantime, picked up a guitar as well, and grabbed a pen and paper. We ended up writing “Home” that night.

Frank Bell on Mulholland Drive

“Home”
Close your eyes
Make a wish
I can see your frustrated
Your needing to get outside of this

Here’s my hand
I’ll take yours
I can feel your heart beating
On the edge of your finger tips

Here’s my consolation
All situations will pass us by
I’m not here to judge, I’m the rock that wont budge
If you need to cry

It saves me 
When I save you
My home is where your heart is

Let’s let go
Of the things that bring us down
Take a breath of fresh air; forget that we care
And look around

Let’s forget
The problems will fade away
Let’s soak up this moment- and savor the time
We’re in this together, your heart and mine 

Here’s my consolation
All situations will pass us by
I’m not here to judge, I’m the rock that wont budge
If you need to cry

It saves me
When I save you
My home is where your heart is
It saves me 
When I save you
My home is where your heart is

And when these walls, they start closing in
I’ll break them down, i’ll break them down
And if these walls, they get to high
Just remember that i’m right by your side, each prayer accepted
And each wish resigned

It saves me 
When I save you
My home is where your heart is
It saves me 
When I save you
Our home is where our love is

President Obama’s take on an Al Green classic at the Apollo last night.  I might have to get the Prez in for a collab on the next album!

(Source: think-progress, via barackobama)

One of the original reasons I started singing. I plan to break out some Etta on Vinyl in a few hours, lay down on the floor, turn the volume up to 10, and soak in all the amazingness. Thanks for the inspiration, and sharing your heavenly gift with the world. Etta James, may you rest in peace, At Last.

Rostropovich: The Genius of the Cello (BBC)
 

No-one has done more for the cello than Mstislav Rostropovich, or Slava as he was widely known. As well as being arguably the greatest cellist of the twentieth century, he expanded and enriched the cello repertoire by the sheer force of his artistry and his personality and composers lined up to write works for him.

In this film by John Bridcut, friends, family and former pupils explore the unique talents of this great Russian artist, and listen to and watch him making music. Contributors include his widow Galina Vishnevskaya and their daughters Olga and Elena; the eminent conductors Seiji Ozawa and Gennadi Rozhdestvensky; and cellists who attended his famous classes in Moscow, including Natalya Gutman, Mischa Maisky, Moray Welsh, Elizabeth Wilson and Karine Georgian.

The film traces the development of Rostropovich’s international career amid the political tensions of the final years of the Soviet Union.

“What is this..? Is it modern?”

“What is this..? Is it modern?”

When I feel so tired, I can’t sleep… I make this new @YouTube video. 5am, Coldplay cover.
http://twitter.com/frankbellmusic
http://www.facebook.com/frankbellmusic
http://www.itunes.com/frankbell 

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Recorded a new contemporary composition of how I was feeling the other night/day around 6am. I’m calling it “46610 Bésixdouze”. I might make more of these when in insomniatic states, and release them as a compilation mix tape under whomever I become in between awake and asleep. Bell

Unknown Frank Bell fact: In the early 90’s I formed a Seattle based punk rock band called “Judi Dench”. After releasing our sophomore LP “Uta Häagen-Dazs”, we dismembered due to irreconcilable differences. True Story.

Unknown Frank Bell fact: In the early 90’s I formed a Seattle based punk rock band called “Judi Dench”. After releasing our sophomore LP “Uta Häagen-Dazs”, we dismembered due to irreconcilable differences. True Story.

HypeTune - Everything Falls Into Place [Album] + Exclusive Interview!

The interview I did most recently for HypeTune is now published! Preview the full record and hear more about the process, journey, and all that good stuff. Feel free to spread the word! :)

An open letter to Adele: “19” vs “21”

I should preface this letter with the fact that while writing it, I’m listening to both of your records at the same time, so If for some reason I burst into tears mid-way, it’s totally normal.

Adele!
It’s been a minute since we last spoke! I remember many years ago, reaching out to you on MySpace, and actually getting a response before you got Beatles famous. Don’t you remember? I’d try to login to my MySpace page for reference, but won’t for fear that Facebook is watching…

Congrats with the success!!! You deserve it all girl! I’m so proud of you :) You’ve recently come up as the topic of conversation among my musician friends. A debate so to speak, on which of your now two records, “19” and “21” reign supreme musically.

“19” was obviously my first love. If it hadn’t been for that love however, “21” wouldn’t have solidified such emotions. Personally, love them both! BUT in order to settle this argument once and for all, I have a proposition for you - You and I start dating! I know what you’re thinking “Brilliant Idea!” But just to really drive in the awesomeness…

I wouldn’t even have to make you feel my love… You would know from the start it’s right as rain! I’m sure you’re tired of thinking back to your former one and only… Rumor has it he’s wanting royalties from you now? Give him the cold shoulder! He won’t go? It’s time you replace him with ME!

Now here’s where things get tricky. Obviously, our relationship couldn’t last… If you and I are shagging up and happy with our daydreams and sweet nothings, there’s no sorrowful/angry music to win awards and break milestones. Can someone like you truly be happy when we’re not making music? Unfortunately however, I’m not that good at being a horrible boyfriend, and I can’t say that I have that much experience with breaking hearts either (consciously, anyway) :/

SOOOOOO this is where the tables will be turned. YOU break up with ME. No one will see it coming. I was crazy for you… I’ll be left with a heart, melted to stone, late night contemplative walks, chasing pavements, until I write… a LOVESONG! No, a hate song. A song. No longer needing to hide my heart, I take it all in and make MY 3rd record, affectionally titled “28”.

“28” get’s a ridiculous amount of buzz, and actually shatters all of your records for “21”. In my Grammy acceptance speech, I cry a little, as you glance from the front row, and know every song was about you… Rolling deep down inside I can’t help feeling that we could have had it all, but all that goes away when Zooey Deschanel hands me a congratulatory Grammy martini of straight vodka. Backstage, Jay-Z and Beyonce tell me they’re naming their second child “Frank”, after me. Ludacris, who’s from my hometown, give’s me some customized bling for my neck.

Fun Fact: Did you know that “FrankBell” actually rhymes with “Adele”. This was meant to happen!

OH! If you don’t mind, let’s make our first “date” in a public place… I want to make sure you’re not some sort of weirdo (no offense).

I’ll be waiting,
Frank Bell