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| Grace Slick Collaborating With Michelle Mangione The cover of singer-songwriter/guitarist Michelle Mangione's 2006 solo debut Life Beneath the Sun CD featured a painting by Grace Slick. The rock icon/artist, best known as the singer with Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship, contributed the image after hearing an early demo of the recording. Grace stated, "Michelle is a gifted artist and poetic songwriter. Her album takes me back to the days when songwriting was a craft and music made people think." Grace Slick has retired from performing and turned her talents to painting, showing her artwork around the country. Slick has continued to write songs, but with no intention of ever performing the material. Impressed with Michelle's work, Grace Slick has decided to collaborate with her on the completion of this material. Michelle Mangione will perform and include the songs, by her and Grace Slick, on a future as-yet-untitled recording. Michelle produced, wrote and arranged all the songs on her Life Beneath the Sun CD as well as playing drums, piano, organ and percussion. Delivered with a powerful voice and poetic lyricism, Michelle's songs are written from personal experience and observation - "Man With a Gun, " trying to understand a cycle of hate, poverty and crime after she was held up at gunpoint; "America the Blue" inspired by a conversation with a homeless Vietnam veteran, or poking fun at her own ethics and morality in the song, "I've Become." Michelle taught herself to play guitar, bass and piano as way to facilitate songwriting and arranging, and has also had song placements in TV and film. She started out as a successful road musician and played drums for saxophonist Buddy Collette and guitarist Robben Ford. Her ability to cross over musical genres as easily as she changes instruments gained her professional notoriety. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |