Destiny's Child
Emotions
Destiny's Child was an American girl group whose final line-up comprised Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams.
https://www.destinyschild.com/
In 2001, I got the opportunity to arrange strings for Destiny's Child's cover of the Bee Gee's song "Emotion". I met producer Mark Feist at the session, & we hit it off. Mark is a very talented composer, musician, & producer. Mark is currently working with a young & talented artist Tash.
We recently reconnected, & Mark had me arrange strings for one of her songs- "Tricky Business". While we reminisced, I remembered an incident while working on "Emotion"...
In 2001, I would sometimes bring arranging work home & write the score parts on the music desk of the grand piano on score paper, with a cassette of the music on a bench next to me.
This session needed to be recorded soon, so I brought everything home. The session was in 2 days, so I needed to get into it right away. I was working hard because my sister-in-law Laura was at the house & she, my then-wife Natalie, & I were going out to dinner soon.
"I didn't want to say anything, but it was bad- I couldn't concentrate at all... (multiple redos destroyed by the same out-of-tune singing)."
Sadly, my ex is burdened with a lot of bad traits-
including being extremely pitch-challenged. While I was trying to add some spiral high string passages about 2:30 into the song, Natalie would start singing at the beginning of the B section (horribly out of tune) "& where are you now"... & continuing.
I didn't want to say anything, but it was bad- I couldn't concentrate at all... (multiple redos destroyed by the same out-of-tune singing).
I was about to quit when I then heard Laura come to my rescue from upstairs & yell down to Natalie.. "you are driving me crazy! That's the worst singing I've ever heard. I used to love this song." Suddenly, the warbling stopped, the stars shone brightly, & we all could return to a peaceful existence. I actually managed to go out to eat & later finish the arrangement that night. 🙂
Laura has been a wonderful aunt to my children (especially after my divorce) & has shared many holidays with us.
Thanks, Auntie Laura.....
Destiny's Child was an American girl group whose final line-up comprised Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams.
https://www.destinyschild.com/