Charlie’s Room is a room for every fan of Sophie Zelmani. From time to time I will update this room with information, pictures, videos, stories etc about Sophie. If you want to contribute, you can send an email to charlie@sophie-zelmani.com, and I might share it here with all of you. “In this room there is love, you can always come here to feel it again”.
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GOTHENBURG REPORT (published on November 21, 2011)
Sophie came to Gothenburg in a really good mood, and she wasn’t even a bit nervous, she could tell a satisfied audience – and yes, we noticed! I have seen Sophie live countless times, but this was one of her best concerts ever! Not only because she was more spontaneous than usual and probably talked more than ever before, but also because the band was very well rehearsed, and the songs were performed in a fine and dignified way. Also the audience was a main reason to why it became such a successful concert. Unfortunately, too often someone in the audience are chatting during the show and disrupts for those who want to listen. But the Gothenburg audience were completely silent during every single song. They understood they should be quiet and listen when the songs were played, and then give a grateful applause after each song. It made a great atmosphere.
The concert opened with the sore and beautiful “My daughter”, which should become the first of eight new songs. One of the highlights was “Free now”, which sounds so much better live than on record, in my opinion. “I love you” was another highlight, which was performed with such an intense empathy. Towards the end of the concert we were able to choose which song the band should play, but the suggestions were many and varied. Some suggested “Black day”, others suggested “Oh dear”, “Travelling”, “Fade”, “Ready”, “Time to kill”, “I’m the rain” and probably many others. The result was that she should try to perform “Black day”, but she wasn’t sure if she remembered the lyrics. After some thinking and a little help from Lars Halapi, she remembered how the chorus went. She began to sing the chorus and then she remembered a little more of the lyrics and sang a little more, but then she interrupted herself and said it didn’t felt right, and “Fade” was played instead.
The complete setlist:
1. My daughter
2. Composing
3. If I could
4. I can’t change
5. Free now
6. I wouldn’t speak for him
7. You can always long for May
8. Not with you
9. Until dawn
10. Going home
11. All about you
12. If you’re still a dreamer
13. Dreamer
14. I love you
15. So long
16. Home
17. To know you
18. Black day
19. Fade
20. My soul remembers
Ch@rlie:-)
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SOUL – FIRST THOUGHTS (published on November 5, 2011)
I have been listening to this new record for some weeks by now. I have been listening to it when I’m at home. I have been listening to it at work. I have been listening to it in my car. I have been listening to it in my bed. Yes I have been listening to it 24/7, also when I go to sleep. So, yes you can still fall in sleep while listening to Sophie Zelmani. This is a typical Sophie Zelmani album in several ways; slow, quiet, a whispering voice, acoustic guitars, beautiful tunes and soulful lyrics.
Still there’s something special with this new record. What is the longest song of Sophie Zelmani? “Oh dear”? “Got to stop”? Or maybe her cover version of Leonard Cohen’s “Waiting for the miracle to come”? No, the longest song is now called “My soul remembers”. What is her second longest song? Any of the above? No. The second longest song is now called “All about you”. “My soul remembers” is over 9 minutes long, and “All about you” is around 7:30.
“If you’re still a dreamer”, the first song Sophie wrote for this record, is one of my favorites. It’s the shortest track on the album, but it’s a beautiful, dreamy song. “Story of us” is another favorite; it’s a catchy, “happy” song. “Churchbell” is also a very beautiful track. It reminds me a bit of “Shades” from the “Memory loves you” album, but is still far different. The lyrics on this song are obviously very honest, or said with Sophie’s own word: “I’m speaking from the bottom, almost from the other side”. Another song with strong lyrics, is “My daughter” which is about a mother/daughter relationship. If you’re one of those who think Sophie should use a more powerful voice, “I love you” is your song. It starts slowly, but ends up with lots of power. On “I wouldn’t speak for him” Sophie is almost talk-whispering through the entire song.
“Free now” and “For you” doesn’t need any further description, because you have probably heard them already. If not, you can listen to them on Spotify, Wimp or download it from iTunes.
Look forward for yet another wonderful album from our favorite artist.
Ch@rlie:-)