Rain

http://api.cld.me/2J3k171J0R1e0N2o1t0H/download/01%20Rain.mp3

The Story:

I think I wrote this song back in 2005...I think.  It was one of those rainy days where there wasn't much to do but stay in the house and lay low.  So I decided to pick out a couple of notes on my guitar and a couple hours later "Rain" was blessing my speakers.  The verse of the song was from a poem I wrote in high school.  I often think I was a better writer in my youth...

Rain

(Music, Vocal Arrangement & Lyrics by Nadia Trammell)

You are the rain inside of my soul
drowning in thoughts and dreams made of you
Like the rain to others we will grow old
For in the years to come our love will be true

Chorus:
My sweet rain...
Cleanse my soul make me new
My sweet rain...
Wash away all my blue
My sweet rain...

First Acoustic Performance

The Story:

When I was in the 6th grade everyone was given the option to play an instrument or sing in the choir, which later would allow you to play the guitar. I wish that Bobby Brown never came out with that "My Prerogative" video that had all these girls on stage dancing and playing instruments(see video below). I thought the lady playing the sax was SOOOOOOOOO Cool and begged my parents to let me play the sax for school. Six years later I never took the saxophone home to practice, still managed to have first chair and was bored to death of the thing. By the time my senior year of high school came around I decided it just wasn't COOL enough for me to keep playing Yankee Doodle Dandy, so I quite :-)

lovely decor on display!

Looking back I always wish I had picked the guitar because guess what...you can't sing and play the sax at the same time :-) In college I played around with the guitar but never really took it serious and it served more as a decorative piece of art to display in my house. Two years ago I gave my dad's old guitar back to him and purchased myself a Fender acoustic. When 2011 rolled around, again I noticed that I had another beautiful piece of decor on display so I decided to challenge myself and I set a goal to perform in public before 2012.

Last month I sent a video of me playing the guitar to a friend and asked for some pointers. I asked him if I could pull off an open mic or if I should wait and practice a little more. He said I just needed to go an do it...so last night I did IT. I popped my cherry and played my guitar in public for the first time!

I need to stop decorating!!!

I sounded like I was playing a toy guitar and it was out of tune.  Who would guess that you need to tune your guitar right before you go on ;-)  But hey I did it and now I know what to expect. I met a lot of great folks and the venue is 3 blocks away from my house. Can't wait to go back...might even get a couple more in before 2012 :-)!!!

The video of "Let's Get it On" and "Tyrone" is me practicing the night before.  The "From where I'm standing" video is the one I sent to my friend asking if I could pull of an open mic.  Oh and I am not left handed...the video is just in a mirrored format.

Let's Get it On

(I was told to stop playing with the thumb pick.  As 

you can see I chickened out and decided to use it for 

the open mic just in case i got so nervous that the pick 

flew out my hand)

From Where I'm Standing

(My nails needed to be cut on my strumming hand. You can hear them banging on the guitar)

Tyrone

(Yeah I know I'm making some crazy facial expressions...Enjoy the comedy!!!  Oh and my little Dog is holding it down with the toe tapping percussion skills )

Reason Why I Picked the Saxophone

Bobby Brown

So In Love

So In Love

http://api.cld.me/Bq7u/download/01%20So%20In%20Love.mp3

The Story:

Eddie Valoy, a good friend of mine was letting me listen to some of his new tracks.  When I heard this track I asked Eddie what lyrics he had written for it and he said he didn't have any ideas for it yet.  So I asked if I could write something to it.  When I heard the music to this track I immediately fell in love with it and my mind was overflowing with so many images and feelings.  When I hear good music I automatically see images and scenes playing out in my head.  Whatever I see in my head determines the subject and tone of what my lyrics will be about.

This song made me see images of the Fall, Rainy nights with a chill in the air, Couples holding hands running across a busy street, The warmth/affection/love from your lover to melt the chill in the air...

I wanted to do the vocals over again on the recording but never got a chance to do it.  I was singing really flat the day it was recorded and I had other vocal arrangements that I wanted to add for a bridge and the ending, but it just never happened.  So it is What it is and you get the idea...

So In Love

(Music by Eddie Valoy
 Vocal Arrangement & Lyrics by Nadia Trammell)

The things you do for me that no one else can see
You kiss my cheek when I'm asleep
You take my hand when I am weak
The way you make me feel
I know your love is real
You make laugh when I am down
You hold me close when I'm around

Chorus:
The things I see you do
Make me so in love with you
And I know your heart is true
The way you make me feel
Keeps me so in love with you
And I know your heart is true

The things you do for me that everyone can see
You Open doors when the night is cold
You cross the street and give your arm to hold
The way you make me feel
No doubt our love is real
You touch my heart no use for hands
You make me proud you are my Man


Chorus:
The things I see you do
Make me so in love with you
And I know your heart is true
The way you make me feel
Keeps me so in love with you
And I know your heart is true

Miss Celie's Blues

Miss Celie's Blues

http://f.cl.ly/items/3a1G17101I0c462s0b0u/Miss%20Celie%27s%20Blues.mp3

The Story:

I did this song at Blues Alley for my little Sistah Brandy!!!  When we were younger she would play this song on the piano and we would act out the Color Purple scene from the movie.  Fun times...I couldn't have asked for a better sister and best friend. Wishing many years of blessings to My Sistah and her Husband to be.

Miss Celie's Blues

(Vocals by Nadia Trammell)
Sister,

you've been on my mind

Sister, we're two of a kind

So sister,

I'm keepin' my eyes on you

I betcha think
I don't know nothin'
But singin' the blues

Oh sister, have I got news for you

I´m somethin'

I hope you think (I know you think)

that you´re somethin' too




Oh, Scufflin',

I been up that lonesome road

And I seen a lot of suns goin' down

Oh, but trust me

No low life's gonna run me around                       




So let me tell you somethin' sister

Remember your name

No twister,

gonna steal your stuff away

My sister

We sho' ain't got a whole lot of time

So shake your shimmy,

Sister

Cause honey the 'shug

is feelin' fine

Know Me

Know Me (original recording)

http://f.cl.ly/items/1h0s0u3Z253I2M0o1c2X/1-01%20Know%20Me.mp3

http://f.cl.ly/items/1h0s0u3Z253I2M0o1c2X/1-01%20Know%20Me.mp3

The Story:

I think I wrote this song back in 2007.  I recorded the vocals when I had a cold so my voice has a different sound to it which I actually kind of liked.  But I basically wanted to get my vocal ideas recorded so I wouldn't forget them.  I never got around to recording the official vocals for this track, but it is still a nice little tune.

So I met this guy and after the 3rd date he asked to borrow my car...I wrote a song about it.  Like to hear it? Here it Go!!!!

3/8/2012:  My Buddy Rob helped me learn couple chords on my guitar to play this song.  So I decided to share.  No makeup, crazy hair...just me in my PJs doing what I love most!!!

Know Me

(Music, Vocal Arrangement & Lyrics by Nadia Trammell)

Every time you call me
You saying Hey Baby

Even though we just met last week

And ever since you walked into my home

You looking real comfy

Chorus:
How you gonna come at me like you know Me
(How you gonna come at me like you know me?)
How you gonna come at me like you know Me
(Do you even know my middle name?)
How you gonna come at me like you know Me
(What can you tell me about me?)
Know Me

Can't believe you asked me to borrow my ride

You think I give out my keys

Cause I took me out a couple times

you need to come at me another way

before you act like you know me

Chorus:

Sunlight

Sunlight 
http://f.cl.ly/items/262R1o0V0b1p3m0C1j26/Sunlight.mp3

Sunlight (Remix)
http://f.cl.ly/items/0F0S3G3x3g3U2m3q1S2i/SunlightRemix.mp3

The Story:

This track was created by my buddy Rob DeGuzman, who is one of the most amazing guitar players I have ever met.  This song doesn't actually feature any of his guitar skills, but it just shows how versatile he is with his music.  When I first heard this song all I could hear and feel was the SUN...you know shining bright and so hot you can feel your skin baking and hear the pulsating heat.  This should be my theme song...I always feel good when I hear this coming through my speakers.

Sunlight

(Vocal Arrangement (Remix) and Music  (Original and Remix) by Rob DeGuzman
Lyrics and Vocal Melody by Nadia Trammell)

Sunlight

Sunlight

Chorus 2X:
Sunlight
Sun rays
Sunshine
Sun rays
So Bright
The Light
Today

Flowers bloom late in May
Two lovers holding hands
Children play in the park
bare feet walk the sand
And we owe this all to Sunlight

Chorus 2X:

Sun bakes my golden skin
Driving wind in my hair
Clear skies no sign of rain
blue birds sing serenades
And I pray to see the Sunlight

Chorus 2X:

Sunlight
Sunlight

FIT

FIT
http://f.cl.ly/items/0b0J1W1F0g01011U172r/FIT.mp3

The Story:

Daron Jones had a track that he wanted me to write/sing on.  Jones, who has a solid background in jazz composition and arranging, always challenges my ear with his music.  When I first heard the track I wasn't really feeling it and I was not able to come up with anything.  It was very different from all the music I had worked with in the past.  I just couldn't come up with anything that I felt fit the song.  So on my way home from our session I was listening to the track in my car and I had a "Eureka" moment and decided not to fight what I was feeling and just go with it.  

FIT 
(Music & Vocal Arrangement by Daron Jones; Lyrics by Nadia Trammell)
I don't FIT

and I tried it your way

I dont FIT

and I tried it their way

I don't FIT

You don't FIT

They don't FIT

We don't FIT

It just don't FIT

It's to crowded in here

Where can I FIT

And I tried it everyones way

Even my way just didn't  FIT

It just don't FIT

Just don't FIT

Just don't FIT

It's to crowded

I tried it your way

tried it their way

But The damn thing just don't FIT

It's to crowded in here

where will we FIT

I just didn't FIT

and when we tried it their way

Non of US FIT

It's just to crowded in here

Just don't FIT

Just don't FIT

Just don't FIT

I don't FIT

You don't FIT

They don't FIT

We don't FIT

It just don't FIT

It's to crowded in here

Where can I FIT

Pushing Me pushing it

I can't fit anywhere

It's TO CROWDED in Here

I just don't FIT

I just don't FIT

You don't FIT Either…

King Of The Hill

http://f.cl.ly/items/3Q3K1r2d3d0F2U0m2S1e/KingOfTheHill-Mixed.mp3

The Story:

It was around 2009 and I just wasn't inspired to create any music.  In fact I think almost a year had passed since I worked on anything.  I had just turned 32 and think during that time I was slowing down a bit and getting real bored with the same old thing.  You know...same old social events, same old pickup lines, same old vibe in the clubs and same old BS from the men that I met.  So I just wasn't in a point in my life where I was inspired to create music.  Well my boy Quis was in my ear telling me that I should work on something and that he wanted me to listen to some of the tracks that he made.  So I picked up my pen and wrote how I was feeling.  Over the hill?  Nah...I'm King of the Hill!!!!

King Of The Hill

(Music by Marquis Simmons; Lyrics by Nadia Trammell)

Chorus 2X:

I'm Over the games

Over the clubs 

Over the thrills

An Over Achiever

Over Reacher

I'm Up and Over that Hill

I'm Up and Over that Hill

Over that Hill

(Repeat)

You can call me if you want

This women will not cause a fuss

It makes me laugh, it brings me back 

to the past when all was fun

Got the ride, got the crib, and the bills

Played the game checked a mate

And many have been replaced

Black and White no need to fight

My wisdom is grey

Now they listen to what I say

Chorus:

Bridge:

Stress from a test

Dress to impress

Lack of a car

Can't get into that bar

21 ain't so far

Days are long gone

2…3…4…100 times ain't no charm

Rap (Marquis Simmons):

Chorus:

Counterfeit Culture

Counterfeit Culture

http://f.cl.ly/items/263i312P323K2U1V430T/01%20ConterfeitCulture.mp3

The Story:

Eddie Valoy, a good friend of mine was looking for vocalist to record music that he created, which he would be using to showcase his songwriting and producing skills.  I was more than happy to work with him because he always had such great music and lyrics.  This is one of many songs written by Eddie that I was honored to be able to add my vocals to.

Counterfeit Culture (Lyrics and Music by Eddie Valoy)

I'm not scared, I'm not scared of you
I'm not scared, I'm not scared of you

First come, first serve

Then we came left over

spoiled meat, spoiled drink

Got sick what did you think

Counter parted vultures

Selling one size Fits all

Fits Who, tell the truth

You know I'm not that small

Counter concepts built to oppress

We the rest are bound to stress

Bound for less, Bound for death from all this mess

Chorus:

I'm not scared, I'm not scared of you

(I know the truth behind your white lies)

I'm not scared, I'm not scared of you

(I'd rather die alone than be a clone)

I'm not scared, I'm not scared of you

(I know how your machine works)

I'm not scared, I'm not scared of you

And Now I'm going to tell the whole world

Mainstream Main scheme

To kill our self esteem

Don't conform to norm

If your different embrace it

If your a another or all abover

Just remember it's one Love

And not Love One

Counter concepts built to oppress

We the rest are bound to stress

Bound for less, Bound for death from all this mess

Chorus\Bridge:

It's Counterfeit cause we don't fit…

(I'll tell the world…)

It's Counterfeit cause we don't fit...

(I'll tell the world…)

I'll tell the world

It's not about right, It's not about wrong

It's just not real

Chorus: