1. my
extraordinary life 2. release me
3. hollywood
4. evolution
5. undone
6. circus of life
7. spaceship
8. bye is such a lonely word
9. the kiss
10. enchanted forest
11. little boy lost
12. we can work it out
13. deconstruction (spoken word)
14. the wind
15. bye (italian version)
ORANGE COUNTY METRO
It’s hard to classify this collection of autobiographical songs and
stories that collectively paint an extraordinary tapestry of sound. Electronic drum loops and grooves create the frame within which Gilli paints pictures with words she passionately delivers with a voice that is both technically excellent and
emotionally transparent. A very worthy purchase from a mover and shaker in the indie
music scene.
LOOSEYLUCY'S HEADQUARTERS
A
testament to her life thus far and a showcase of her own groovy
style of alternative/R&B music. The production is
excellent, and the songs are beautifully arranged.
extraOrdinary life is possibly
one of the best independently released albums of late 2005.
MUSIC CONNECTION LOS ANGELES Every so often an
artist exceeds expectations. They create a piece of work that is so
exquisite, it’s breathtaking. gilli moon has taken that quantum leap with
her latest album,
extraOrdinary life. It’s an epic endeavor from an artist
already well known for her independent and adventurous spirit. Though reviewers, as well as fans, will probably
mention comparisons to Tori Amos, Sting and Radiohead, Moon has instilled
this record with such a strong sense of self that one gets the impression
she’s letting us in on her secret life – an extraordinary one at that.
This is an album that is best heard in its entirety. Not because
of any overall concept, but rather because
it’s a beautiful expedition of emotions and stories that comfort, excite
and inspire. Indeed, after hearing the songs presented on this record, you
wouldn’t be faulted if “you” also wanted to lead - an extraordinary life.
- Bernard Baur, Review Editor and A&R Columnist, Music Connection Magazine
Moon is still releasing her
always-evocative, ever-exciting work on an independent label ... a rare treat to listen to a
CD with the color, emotion and depth of
extraOrdinary life It’s a tour de
force of moon’s extraordinary musical talents. If you’ve never heard of gilli
moon, it’s high time you did. She is the real deal – a consummate poet, performer, and songstress.
COLLECTED SOUNDS, Sweden
I've reviewed two of Gilli Moon's previous albums and am happy to note
that this new one is good too. It's more radio-friendly and groove-oriented
than the others. The scope of this record is wider than anything Moon has done
before and she seems to be leading an extraordinary life.
diary
notes
Sunday, July 24, 2005
releasing,
re-visualizing, rebounding, reliving
I am a
very happy girl. Why? Because I have a sense of completion and that is
one of my definitions of success.. to complete something. I've been
working on a project for over a year. I didn't know where it would
lead me, or how arduous the road may be... but I brought it to
fruition, with grace, passion and fortitude:
extraOrdinary life. We all know
that life is, well, long. Ongoing. Days turn into months turn into
years... a lifetime of memories, friendships, experiences, journeys.
And this past year has been a mini life journey,....
From
writing songs through my twenties and to now, on funky keyboards and
pianos all around the world. I remember sitting at a piano in Santa Fe
New Mexico, considering how to use the swamp sounds i had just
recorded on my dat player watching an alligator in New Orleans. Writing
Release Me in Vermont on a hotel piano after hours, at the beginning
of my Eric Idle tour. Writing at home in Australia, surrounded by the
bush, Circus of Life. Spaceship, on an old upright in Santa Monica on
a gloomy day. My Extraordinary Life at home in Sherman Oaks, on my
keyboard after listening to Maxwell,.. finding a groove on my little
drum machine and tracking the beginnings of what you hear on the Cd,
on my 16 track hard disk recorder. Writing The Wind in Cabo San Lucas,
after letting go of a recent love on Divorce Beach, sending him to the
wind. Hollywood, at home, about 1am, with a glass of red wine,
dreaming of wide open spaces....
Then
rehearsing the band... bringing my songs to groovy life ready for
tracking..., practicing at home with them, then in at AMP our NoHo
rehearsal studio.
Then
recording, first the drums and bass, then overdubbing the guitars,
loops, my keyboards and piano, percussion, saxaphone, weird
soundscapes. Finally the vocals. Lots of editing and lots of fun...
day in day out, to finishing the little baby songs and plotting them
on the timeline called an album. I have learned so much being in the
studio.... understanding more and more about arranging, about musical
instruments, about listening to the divine and embracing those
buddhist mistakes that make little gems within a song.
Then
came mixing, the levels, the sonic textures, what needs to be heard,
or subliminal. Our ears are amazing. I became so sensitive to every
little nuance. Then the mastering process, where i didn't think the
music could be taken any higher, it was... to its highest. Coming to a
final conclusion on the song order must have been the hardest process
of all. It took me a long time, and i sought advice from many because
i could no longer see the forest through the trees. i was so embroiled
i needed objective opinion. I have a great tight little team with me,
encouraging me, guiding me, sharing their expertise. I am blessed.
MORE OF
GILLI'S ONLINE DIARY
I'm having a ball producing my 4th album. Excerpts from my latest press
release:
“…Music production is a whole language in itself, beyond just being a
musician. i've always been a communicator, what with being an artist,
teacher and writer, but producing is like being a conductor, a
messenger, a voyeur, and conducting the chatter from the Gods,” gilli
moon says.
“…Producing is not about ego, or personal subjectivity. I can only be
the "translator" of what the song is calling out for… a conduit. Plus
it’s almost like remembering… whenever I get the right feel or vibe for
a particular part, I get this weird “ah ha” or “deja-vu” moment as if
the song had once found that perfection, but forgot it. It's really,
really exciting delving into the psychology of producing. We become
slaves to the song and what it requires, and living on the edge like a
spiritual thrill-seeker. It’s also about being rebellious. Being a rebel
to the current times, to the past, to whatever anyone else is doing out
there or what radio dishes out. It’s about being rebellious even to our
own taste, and finding the freedom in creating something new and cutting
edge, even if it means taking risks. I crave it! It’s better than an
extreme sport (even though I love fast down-hill snow skiing at the best
of times!)”
Everywhere gilli goes, she writes.
Read her anecdotes of different cities, interesting shows,
people she meets and experiences felt.
"There is enough time, there is enough Life, and there is
enough of the stuff of life to allow you to live in happiness
forever.
"This
is an extraordinary world we live in, but if we are not careful, we
are going to destroy it. At the very least we will terribly disrupt,
if not completely end, life as we know it. There is no need for us
to do that. There is no reason to. Yet the direction in which we are
going is taking us right there.
The
crisis humanity is facing is not a political crisis, it is not an
economic crisis, and it is not a military crisis—yet we continue
to try to solve it with political, economic, and military means. The
crisis humanity faces today is a spiritual crisis, and it can only
be resolved by spiritual means. That is where we come in."
extraOrdinary life
[enhanced cd]
gilli moon
(Warrior Girl Music 2005)
Bar code:
7 800144844 2-2
Cat#WGM44844
about
An adventurous journey of
autobiographical songs and stories, and intimate music conversations about
gilli moon’s inner truths, emotions and passions, anecdotes about falling in
love, and out of it, about living in Hollywood, and about freedom, humour,
simplicity and a life long journey of discovery. extraOrdinary
lifecelebrates 13 brand new self-penned songs, a spoken word track and an Italian song. An ENHANCED CD, it features a 10 min “making of” video, and a 20 photo slide show embracing her album.
"extraOrdinary life is about a global harmony
that starts with the tiniest one-on-one interactions. If we are able
to have a harmonious relationship with another person then we're able
to understand that dynamic on a global scale", gilli moon says.
After nearly 3 years on
the road promoting the 2002 release, Woman, across the United States,
Canada and Australia - gilli moon, submerged herself in Los Angeles for the
latter half of 2004 and early 2005, and recorded her fourth album, entitled
extraOrdinary Life.
An
adventurous journey of autobiographical songs and stories, and intimate
music conversations about gilli moon’s inner truths, emotions and passions,
anecdotes about falling in love, and out of it, about living in Hollywood,
and about freedom, humour, simplicity and a life long journey of
discovery.
extraOrdinary
Life
celebrates 13 brand new
self-penned songs, a spoken word track and an Italian song. An ENHANCED CD,
it features a 10 min “making of” video, and a 20 photo slide show embracing her
album, photography which has come to visual life by Hollywood’s celebrity
photographer Jim Steinfeldt (Tina Turner, Madonna, Miles Davis, Willie
Nelson).
extraOrdinary
Life
is a groove oriented
album, mixing sensuous basslines, emotional piano and gilli moon’s lilting
melodic voice, with songs making attention at AAA and alternative radio.
With an emphasis on organic, raw musical textures, gilli’s trademark “edge”
is present, combining a cool rebelliousness of eclectic guitars, techno
loops, live drums and world-beat percussion. It’s only independent,
alternative artists like gilli moon that are able to take music production
risks, and can truly manage to challenge the current tired old musical norm
on today’s radio by creating an album that pushes the envelope.
extraOrdinary life is audacious and fresh, a definitive departure
from her prior 3 albums "Woman" (02), "temperamental angel" (00) and “Girl
in the Moon” (98).
Recorded in 3 different
locations including Los Angeles, Sydney, and New Orleans, the new ENHANCED
CD sees gilli moon, artist and producer, collaborating with her favorite
collection of alchemists and fellow mavericks, including programmer and
engineer Matt Thorne (The Eels, Trapt, Kate Ceberano, Plastilina Mosh);
engineer Evan Beigel (Badi Assad), 2 bass players Jeff Dean & Ken Moore;
guitarists Gordie Germaine & Donovan Raitt, Aussie drummer Tim Davies,
Jennifer J
(Eric Idle) on backing vocals & a string of percussionists, horn
players and mavericks from around the world.
extraOrdinary
Life
offers standout tracks: the up-tempo "Undone" (with matching music
video now playing), the evocative and story compelling " Hollywood", the sensuous
"The Kiss" (co-produced with Evan Beigel), "Circus of Life" (already used as
theme song for Australia's hit indie musical in Wollombi NSW), and the
bittersweet love song "Spaceship". gilli moon's productions have always
taken much-needed production risks, and push the envelope sonically, yet
still mainstream accessible to the hearts and ears of generations. All
songs from the album are available for download as
mp3s for your ipods, ringtones for your cell or
purchase the CD
to embrace the beautiful artwork, 'making of' video, slide show, and
good ol' fashion music stereo sound that really doesn't compare in an mp3!
"This album certainly has more emphasis on social
perspectives and world harmony. If we can heal ourselves, and be more
connected with our inner self and our community, then the world pretty much
takes care of itself." gilli moon
The new album will leave you breathless in its raw
emotion, find you dancing to it’s groove, and allow you to slide into it’s
abyss of sonic pleasures.
You'll fall in love with extraOrdinary
life!
"Between the black and the white
i find clarity
between the darkness and light you resurrect me
i am a vision in white, serenity come inside
my extraordinary life"
Every so often an
artist exceeds expectations. They create a piece of work that is so
exquisite, it’s breathtaking. gilli moon has taken that quantum leap with
her latest album,
extraOrdinary life. It’s an epic endeavor from an artist
already well known for her independent and adventurous spirit. Though reviewers, as well as fans, will probably
mention comparisons to Tori Amos, Sting and Radiohead, Moon has instilled
this record with such a strong sense of self that one gets the impression
she’s letting us in on her secret life – an extraordinary one at that.
This is an album that is best heard in its entirety. Not because
of any overall concept, but rather 
