Flapper Girl News - Spring 2006

Erin McDougald's third album is here!!! MEETING PLACE

Hello lovies. My apologies in the static site we've had for so long... After Michael died (my web designer) I was a little tied up in the production of this album (an understatement of epic proportions) and since the album's arrival, I was otherwise detained... and for the most part, not in a way I'd prefer... Seems a certain Sports Utility Vehicle was drawn to my body -like a moth to a flame- and I was unfortunately hit while crossing the street recently. So, as I've been on the mend, I've not forgotten all of you and I'm pleased to have the time to update this little site of music and musings for you all to peruse enthusiastically!

Before I forget, thanks to the hundreds of folks who heard us at The Jazz Showcase a few weeks ago. What a fun night! We love standing ovations, and we appreciate getting two roaring ovations that night especially. "You really like me?". The see-through shirt helped, huh? Let's be honest. Wow, who knew the lights would be SO bright, huh? Anyway. See you there again before too long, we promise! Club owners Wayne and Joe Segal were quite pleased --and you showcase junkies know that is not an easy task.

Now, an introduction or two before we get to our meeting place... Everybody, meet Don Orban, Don, meet everybody. Don is the web-master that is taking us out of "un-updated" mode and into a site with new pics, new music excerpts and, well, these little messages. Not massages, mind you; I'm not licensed for that sorta thing, but one never knows, the way jazz is going these days...

I digress.

Back to MEETING PLACE. It features the sexy-strong talents of Dan Cray, Clark Sommers and Greg Wyser-Pratte as well as the multi-faceted Geof Bradfield on reeds. Oh, and I'm the one singing. For those of you who have pushed to hear some of my originals, I've penned two of them here, including the title track which is all about my dreamed visits with my late Grandfather. For those of you who whined all these years (ahem) for me to go to pop/rock... too bad, aint gonna happen. But you will be happy to know that we frankensteined a Guns N Roses tune. No kidding. Sweet Child O' Mine is for my sweet little niece in Ohio... you won't hear the hissing cymbals, screaming guitars and electric bass that axel Rose gave us so memorably in the 80's but you'll be taken back by how incredible those lyrics of his really are now that you can understand them. (I happen to dig Guns N Roses, I just dig Oscar Peterson more...)

Also, we have got some seriously knotted twists to elder standards, it was so much fun playing with the meter and melodies and finding inventive treatments to depict what we have to say. Please dig in and tell your friends. Let us know whatchya think!

The Auburn Collection

The Auburn Collection is the new recording by Chicago-based jazz vocalist, Erin McDougald. This is Erin’s sophomore recording since the release of Blue Prelude in 2000. This album incorporates the imagery and sentiment of the autumn season; through her superb song-selection, rooted in the Swing Era, Erin’s sensitively expressed perspective of this season encompasses a larger theme---one of change, evolution and release. The “fall” is our release: at any point in our lives we release emotion to fall in love; we release will-power to protect love; we release hope; we release effort; we release anger--expressing it and then letting it go; we release memories by re-experiencing them; we release one lifestyle to gain another---from “singlehood” to parenthood we even release loved ones in the acceptance of their own release--death. The “fall” is where we begin another journey.

The arrangements are innovative, Erin disarms the expected and peels away from trite material, making each song an individually stable and stand-out “anthem” of perspective. The blend of musicians is seamless and yet potent; the recording features two separate combos which include acoustic piano, bass, drum and tenor saxophone.

Erin's CD is currently aired regularly on WDCB jazz Radio Chicago, among others; please listen for it on WBEZ Chicago Jazz Radio as well and request from both of these stations that they play the CD more often! Your support will make a difference!

To purchase CD's and other merchandise, click here.