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Extraordinary Machine

from Vanity by Sara Gazarek

/
  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Highly anticipated new Limited Edition 12" Vinyl LP “Vanity” (plus "Vanity Amber Navran Remixes") etd April 2023 (subject to change).

    “Impressive on every level…”
    – Andrew Gilbert, JazzTimes Magazine


    LP TRACK LISTING:

    Side A
    Something Good (Rodgers/Hammerstein)
    We Have Not Long To Love (Gazarek/Williams)
    Extraordinary Machine (Fiona Apple)
    Vanity (Guy Wood)

    //

    Side B
    Something Good (Amber Navran Remix)
    We Have Not Long To Love (Amber Navran Remix)
    Extraordinary Machine (Amber Navran Remix)
    Vanity (Amber Navran Remix)

    With the announcement of her highly-anticipated collection of new songs, 3x GRAMMY® nominated vocalist Sara Gazarek also sends a sort of postcard from the journey she has traveled over the past few years. On her new EP, Vanity, we witness a rebirth and a revelation since the release of her previously critically-acclaimed and widely celebrated Thirsty Ghost; a journey of growth, exploration and lessons. Vanity gives us a Sara Gazarek with fear taken off the table; replaced by truth, compassion, and an acknowledgement of the artist she has become over the last three years. An artist that values expression over beauty, communication and freedom over safety and consistency. “Through the pandemic, I pushed myself to explore deeper parts of myself, a deeper relationship with my instrument (through rigorous weekly voice lessons), fundamentally and forever changing my perspective and approach as a jazz musician and vocalist,” said Gazarek.
    On Vanity, we hear Gazarek exploring more depth of sound in not only her instrument, but in the repertoire she continues to traverse. Sara’s first original composition, “We Have Not Long To Love” (words by Tennessee Williams) “is meant to amplify the importance of taking every moment for the miracle that is,” said Gazarek. “I pushed myself to compose, thinking about colors and shapes, emotional textures and storytelling, much in the way that I do when I write a lyric. I wanted to capture the yin and yang of every day love and life, and the movement, modulations, and meditative repetition that can become more of an undercurrent than a miracle if we let it. And, while what resulted is by no means perfect, it is the truth – for me.” The fairly obscure title track, “Vanity” (arranged by Alan Ferber, and originally covered by the great Sarah Vaughan), is a statement of what people likely view Gazarek’s persona to be, based on her past, vs the person and artist she has now become. Gazarek explains, “I’ve wanted to put a song to the shift that I’ve experienced over the last ten years, the space I’ve finally stepped into, and the need to document that in a way that showcases the unexpected and the unconventional.” Fiona Apple’s “Extraordinary Machine” arranged by Geoff Keezer, with horn orchestrations by Alan Ferber, is utilized by Gazarek as a statement on women’s rights and how, “in the jazz community, fighting for equality has been an important journey for me and for my students,” states Gazarek. “Something Good” (from The Sound of Music), arranged by Stu Mindeman, is a deeply personal love letter to Gazarek’s mother. The artist explains, “I’ve wanted to sing a love song to my mother since her almost catastrophic car accident a few years ago (and I penned an extra verse just for her).”
    We also hear Gazarek surrounded by a wider spectrum of instrumentation in the music of Thirsty Ghost. With horns arranged by master composer Alan Ferber, Gazarek is joined by 5 horns and expanded rhythm section — with pianist Miro Sprague, bassist Alex Boneham, drummer Christian Euman, guitarist Brad Alen Williams, trumpeter Michael Stever, the aforementioned trombonist/arranger/orchestrator Alan Ferber, alto saxophonist Lenard Simpson, tenor saxophonist Daniel Rotem, and baritone saxophonist Adam Schroeder. “They all have such command over their craft, and having Alan orchestrate for a larger ensemble brought things to another level. The experiences I wanted to capture are on a wider spectrum than Thirsty Ghost, so it only made sense to encapsulate that with a broader instrumentation. The band is comprised of deeply beloved, long-time friends and master musicians; but at the end of the day, I am grateful to have had their contributions in movement and air, and gifting me the space and opportunity to fly free, in return,” said Gazarek.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Vanity via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more
    ships out within 7 days

      $30 USD or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 USD  or more

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 3 Sara Gazarek releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Vanity, Thirsty Ghost, and Dream in the Blue. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $12.33 USD or more (35% OFF)

     

lyrics

I certainly haven't been shopping for any new shoes, and
I certainly haven't been spreading myself around
I still only travel by foot, and by foot it's a slow climb
But I'm good at being uncomfortable, so
I can't stop changing all the time

I notice that my opponent is always on the go, and
Won't go slow, so's not to focus, and I notice
He'll hitch a ride with any guide, as long as they go fast from whence he came
But he's no good at being uncomfortable, so
He can't stop staying exactly the same

If there was a better way to go then it would find me
I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me, or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine

I seem to you to seek a new disaster every day
You deem me due to clean my view and be at piece and lay
I mean to prove I mean to move in my own way, and say
I've been getting along for long before you came into the play

I am the baby of the family, it happens, so
Everybody cares and wears the sheep's clothes while they chaperon
Curious you looking down your nose at me
While you appease courteous to try and help
But let me set your mind at ease

If there was a better way to go then it would find me
I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me, or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine

Do I so worry you, you need to hurry to my side? It's very kind
But it's to no avail, and I don't want the bail
I promise you, everything will be just fine

If there was a better way to go then it would find me
I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me, or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine

If there was a better way to go, then it would find me
I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine

credits

from Vanity, released October 21, 2022
Composed by Fiona Apple
Arranged by Geoff Keezer, orchestrated by Alan Ferber

Sara Gazarek, voice
Miro Sprague, piano
Alex Boneham, bass
Christian Euman, drums
Michael Stever, tpt
Alan Ferber, trombone
Lenard Simpson, alto sax
Daniel Rotem, tenor sax
Adam Schroeder, bari sax
Brad Allen Williams, guitar

Sara Gazarek: producer
Steve Genewick: recording + mix engineer
Jett Galindo: mastering engineer
Lauren Desberg: photographer
Schuron Womach: make up
B-Side graphics: graphic design

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about

Sara Gazarek Los Angeles, California

"..she may well turn out to be the next important jazz singer."
- Don Heckman, LA TIMES

"…she is an accomplished scat improviser who exudes an engaging blend of confidence and cheer."
- Stephen Holden, New York Times
... more

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