The Process; Lyrically Inclined with Lisa and Lenny (A Songwriter's Odyssey)

When we talk about today's guest, Mia Moravis, we might as well say, "Just find her on social media". We like to say she has her own quirky version of an EGOT ~ she's a three-time Emmy® nominee, a Tony Award® nominee, worked on several GRAMMY®-nominated and -winning recordings, and she's Producer with an Oscar® nominee on Sweet Harmony: The Manhattan Transfer Story—and she's a Remi Award®-winning filmmaker for her documentary, Seeking Heat, about the international artists on David Byrne's Luaka Bop label, one such artist, Susana Baca, of whom was nominated for a GRAMMY this year.

Mia has much to share, in many genres, which include her Celtic songs; her Holiday album with Lisa; writing theme songs for shows seen on PBS; work as a Broadway, West End and tour Producer in musical theater; writing and producing a concert version of her own musical, composing a jazzy ditty for her Dad, performing in plays, musical theater, and opera, and so much more!

Music featured in this episode:
Shakespeare And Me and Grace In The Meadow (from Mia's Celtic EP, Dunoon); Session Girls~The Musical (Original Concert Cast Recording);  It's The Greatest Holiday! Album (Mia Moravis and Lisa Yves); I Am Water (from the 2024 GRAMMY-nominated album, Aquamarine, Artist~Kirsten Agresta-Copely, Producer Mia Moravis~Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album); Moon Ditty (The Moon Ditty Trio); Life is Worth Living (Mia, as "Elaine", from Me, Myself, and Jill, a new musical by Lisa Yves). Find Mia on all socials: @miamoravis

On Today's episode we talk about 2 songs that we love.  The Great Piano In The Sky written about  the late great musician, Mike Renzi, and Y-VES which Lenny wrote loosely about Lisa and her inspirational ways.  These are songs written about people who make their mark on the world with their creative processes.

Special thanks again to Jack Rosen for lending us his guitar skills on these songs.

Bonus track- the finished Lights in The Sky which we recorded live on episode 12.

On this episode we dive deep into the world of Mel Fine, singer, artist, songwriter, producer.  You will be delighted to hear about Mel's experiences as a songwriter, and performer. From Berklee College of Music to Mel Fine's Rainbow Room and even American Idol you don't want to miss this fun and interesting episode. 

I have known Mel for 15 years as their vocal coach, mentor and overall music mom.  Mel is joined by Lenny live in their studio. Special guest Grahm Finn on guitar.

Featured songs available on all platforms:
Like He Gets to Love Her
Right Here
BF (coming soon)
Deck The Halls as featured in 2 episdoes of General Hospital Dec 2023

Find Mel at @melfinemusic on all social media 

On this episode we have a special visitor. Someone we talk about all the time finally popped to discuss songs and music. Plus a new song called Give Your Love Away written by our special visitor. I loved the song so much that I asked if I could record a version of it.

This week we are together in Florida.  We decided to record a song from scratch using a guitar and lil' keyboard, usb microphone and logic pro on my laptop.  Listen to the awesome collaboration that happens when we get into a state of flow and lose track of time.

On today's episode we talk about 2 love songs.  In The Beginning is a song about new love like the genesis of the world and Once In A Lifetime is a song about an older couple that have been together for a lifetime.

Today we are ready to dip our toes in the warm sand and sip cocktails by the sea with our romantic Spanish Love Song.  Also storytelling takes hold in the fabled Ya Ya Mare where all the townspeople join in on the singing as a Carmen Miranda type tells the story.  

Spanish love song features stunning guitaring by Daniel Helfman our Israeli talent!

Our conversation with Rick Swanson continues.  More great music!
Songs played in this episode all written by Rick and Lisa:
Try Just Try Feat. Mia Moravis, This Christmas feat. Mia Moravis, Window To My Soul feat. M.A.R.K.,  Without Love from Sal Valentinetti, Little Valentine,  Just One Skin, Coffeehouse version, London Blusion feat. Lisa Yves, Done and Dusted, Produced by Mason Douglas version feat. Allie Louise,  One Skin, London Blusion feat. Magdy, If You Really Knew Me, feat. Ethan Conway on vocals and  guitar

On this 2 part show, we talk in depth with Rick Swanson, longtime lyricist collaborator of Lisa's in songwriting (23 years!). Lisa and Rick have written over 85 songs together in many different genres and we talk about the process of writing, producing and hiring musicians and vocalists to help the finished product.

Growing up in Connecticut, Rick developed an early love for lyric writing through his mother’s passion for the Great American Songbook. He was fascinated by legendary lyricists like Cole Porter, Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Johnny Mercer, always studying their lyrical structures, techniques and turn of phrase. 

He began writing his own lyrics with classmates in college, but after graduation songwriting settled into the margins of his life, more as a 'foolish passion'. Instead, his day job took him into the world of finance and fashion in New York and living overseas in London and Florence, but he found himself forever writing on planes and trains, and jotting lyrical notes in the back of taxis and during business meetings. 

Rick and Lisa connected in 2000 and gradually they began co-writing songs, but it wasn't until years later that they would branch out into many different genres.

Songs on this episode all written by Rick and Lisa
Fairytale Love For Me, It Was Always You, Done and Dusted, I Miss You, Lost At Sea Feat. Richard Farrell on vocals and Daniel Helfman on guitar, A Love To Last, produced by Crit Harmon  from Jazzy Little Soul

In this episode we discuss one song of inspiration- ROSETTA SPOONBILL, and one song if perspiration- I AIN'T DEAD YET.  Both songs are about creative people and their creative journeys- one that ends too soon in tragedy and another that lasts past retirement.  Special thanks to Jack Rosen and Daniel Helfman for their beautiful guitar work on these songs.