One holiday at a time

LOL! Love this!

November moon

For Gran, Dad, Lynnie, and Mom - who were either here when I took these, or driving away encouraging me to do so. :p

Lorenza Ponce

A few months ago, when I wrote for CSU Northridge's student newspaper, I wrote a review of a jazz vocalist I really enjoy. She herself was gracious enough to help me with some of the details and give me permission to include audio tracks of her work on the website -- I was really excited about this piece, and then it never got published.

So I wanted to share it here so I can still do her reputation some justice (hopefully) - and introduce her to people who may not have heard her work before. She's a very talented musician, and I only wish I could have helped expose her more.

Lorenza Ponce's 'Soul Shifter' is a spellbinding musical journey
By: BECKY MAHAN

Think jazz meets rock, with a twist of Americana. Think poetic lyrics underlined by a powerful violin base, an album that doesn't churn out the same machine-generated melodies commonly seen in mainstream music. That's violinist Lorenza Ponce's latest album, “Soul Shifter.”

Ponce is an already accomplished violinist, but her songwriting profile becomes obvious in “Soul Shifter.” With upbeat, groovy tracks and a varied instrumental foundation, this is the piece that has launched Lorenza's name onto American music charts and mainstream media. Originally known primarily as an accompanying stage musician for well-known artists including Sheryl Crow, John Tesh, and Bon Jovi, Ponce proves with her debut rock album that she can stand on her own.

Raised on a farm in Maryland, Ponce hit New York City at the ripe age of 18, violin in hand. In 1994, she collaborated with Jon Anderson of Yes, who encouraged her to start writing her own music. Her first album was released in 1997, the same year she appeared in the theme song for James Bond’s “Tomorrow Never Dies,” with Sheryl Crow’s string quartet. She ended up touring with Crow, and credits her with transforming her from background musician to “rock chick.”

“Soul Shifter” is Ponce’s fourth solo record.

With a soulful, gentle voice that resembles Chantal Kreviazuk and Colbie Caillat, Ponce has a dramatic, yet graceful presence as vocalist. Add to that her spellbinding violin talents, and she has the uncanny ability to captivate listeners, resonate with them lyrically, and satisfy both classical and modern music fans.

The opening track, “Casual Girl,” initiates the journey with a catchy number that offers all the best of the album in one succinct presentation. Ponce doesn't disappoint, setting the tone with a whisper-infused voice that instantly captivates.

The title track, “Soul Shifter,” is the best one in the lineup. Sounding like the perfect New York City movie soundtrack, it exudes a groovy kind of feel with an irresistibly catchy chorus that pays tribute to Ponce's icon: Frank Sinatra.

“Let It Down” is the edgier side to the album, a cabaret style number showcasing Ponce's hauntingly seductive vocals and a rhythmic, gyrating melody dominated by violin.

“I Won't Lose Faith” wraps it up with a beautiful, moody take on human faith, a predominantly blues piece punctuated by echoes of New Age style.

Elegant, classy, sultry, and bold all at once, “Soul Shifter” takes the listener on a musical journey from start to finish, and leaves them wanting more. While each track can stand out as a solo, they are best complemented by their preceding and successive tracks to allow for maximum appreciation of Ponce's talented instrumental and vocal diversity.

Perfect for open-top car rides along the coast, intimate evenings enjoyed with a glass of wine, or even karaoke-inspired Friday nights, “Soul Shifter” is a dynamic, multi-dimensional work of art that should not be missed.

Readers can listen to and purchase "Soul Shifter" on Ponce's Web site. The album is not available in stores at this time.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Hello, lover. I've missed you.



My favorite drink at Starbucks, only served in the fall. Steamy, creamy, pumpkiny, spicy...it's pure heaven.

Letters to Juliet

This love letter is from the movie "Letters to Juliet", a ridiculously sweet and adorable love story that I gush over. No shame.

An American girl staying in Verona, Italy with her fiance (whose workaholic tendencies lead him to trade her for research on their pre-honeymoon) stumbles upon an unanswered letter left at the house of Juliet - the romantic starlet from Shakespeare's famous drama. Sophie, an aspiring writer, is curious, intrigued by the 50-year-old letter, and writes back as Juliet. The letter's owner is an old woman from England named Claire, who arrives in Verona a few days later with her grandson - they meet Sophie, and set off together on an ambitious journey to find her long-lost lover Lorenzo - whom she left waiting for her in the vineyard when they were teenagers (played by Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero - recognize them?)

The letter that Sophie ("Juliet") writes to Claire has always gripped me, not just for its beauty, but for its final few sentences:

What' and ‘if’ two words as nonthreatening as words come. But put them together side-by-side and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life: ‘What if?'

I don't know how your story ended. But I know that if what you felt then was love - true love - then it's never too late. If it was true then it why wouldn't it be true now? You need only the courage to follow your heart.

I don't know what a love like that feels like... a love to leave loved ones for, a love to cross oceans for... but I'd like to believe if I ever felt it, I'd have the courage to seize it. I hope you had the courage to seize it, Claire. And if you didn't, I hope one day that you will.

A love to leave loved ones for, a love to cross oceans for...

Who knows where it will lead, but I'm glad I had to courage to seize it.