Liner Notes: Before you wonder why my picture isn't on the cover of the album, let me assure you - it is. And no, I don’t set off metal detectors. The screws were added in August 2007 after my literal run in with a SUV on my morning jog; the driver was turning left and didn‘t see me in the crosswalk. While others feared I may never walk again, I proved I could do more – adding back dancing and even jogging on the same route where I was hit. The x-rays aren’t actually the reason for the CD title, though. I used the term last year on MySpace when I added new songs in the online player, typing ‘(skeletal)’ in the album slot to denote that these songs were just rough drafts I planned to add skin and muscles to later. By year’s end a hefty number accumulated; I narrowed them down to just 16 for this CD. Every track was written (or in track 16’s case, arranged) in 2007. Songs are assembled here in the chronological sequence I wrote them. To those who visited, assisted or sent cards and care packages while I was recovering, your moral support, prayers and availability were priceless. Thanks to: Lisa Hoyer Archer David Arcos Lesley Asistio Sarah Auda Dana Bisignano Katie Bourcy Scott Brining Alan Bruni Bob C. Cooke Daniel Dempsey Dana Elliott Jason ’Epp’ Epperson GIG Peeps Denise & Ruth S. Gilbert Kristin Gilbert Green Acres Baptist Church Christal Green Damian & Laura Hernandez KDAR Kyle Hunsberger Jeff Hunter Laura Hurley Lisa Jaskilka Brady McGowan Dominic Massaro Michael Matta Teena May Jay Michaels Dr. Charles Moon Mosaic Lynn Ng Rachel Rose Oginsky Christian Pedersen Brenna Pepper The Pinkston Family Serena Leslie Porter Ron Quezon Michelle Rasmussen Salem Radio Group of Louisville Nicole Schodowski Rebecca Sheffler Jyl Shoaf Brian & Victoria Silverio Lynn Slaughter Elaine Spragens George B. Spragens Andrea & Jan Stolpe Richard, Rita & Alana Trejo Beqa Turner Lindsay Weitzel Jennifer Wray Wallace Eternal thanks goes to Jesus Christ, who daily amazes me with the creativity of His love. Natalie Nicole ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Crave: v, bgvs – NNG, drums –Sam Blackham Best word: labyrinth Cool fact: This tune was mixed on a laptop @ Starbucks, and was written for the Soul Cravings message series @ Mosaic (though it was never used for such). I’m Not Jaded: v, bgvs – NNG, drums - Alan Bruni Best words: yin & yang Cf: It naturally happened that this song was back to back with a song with minor chords. Welcoming: v, bgvs – NNG, keys & guitar – Dana Bisignano Bw: defecation Cf: We first performed this tune the day it was completed @ a church creative event. Cut on Your CD: v, bgvs, g – NNG Bw: hypocrite or stanzas Cf: This was my first attempt at recording a lead guitar line, and it was all on one string. Also, I initially thought it was suckingly simple, but after taking a break and watching an episode or two of Roswell I realized I rather liked it. Sing for You: v, k – NNG, bass, electric and acoustic (even drums) - Stephen Farrior Bw: validated Cf: Written in memory of my brother, Russell ‘RJ’ Gilbert. The tagging lyrics are from his song ‘With You’ (which I’ve included as a bonus track on this CD - making this RJ’s first appearance on ITunes and the like, though posthumously). I asked Stephen to record the guitar track, but in his awesomeness he recorded everything but the vocals. Just a Word: v, k – NNG, drums – Alan Bruni Bw: worm, worst/best Cf: The very first recording of this song was done on my voicemail. The day I recorded the piano part for this song it was so hot I couldn’t think straight - so I put stickers on the keyboard to remind myself what key I was playing in. Some of the stickum is still there. Say Anything: v, g, k – NNG, cello - Kevin Elliott Bw: lethargy, shirts/shoes Cf: Written after my Uncle Bill (author William C. Spragens) died in July. This was first performed publicly with a full band just after the accident. We’d booked the September gig before I was hit and I insisted I could still do it even though I was wearing 20 staples and on crutches. I sat the whole time, and though the guys had never been all together in one room to practice the song, they executed it so magically it felt like a Disney moment. Solomon: v, g, k – NNG, cello - Kevin Elliott Bw: paint/corner/colour, 1,005 Cf: At the time I recorded the first draft the song was too difficult for me to play straight through. I looped the 3 or 4 good riffs I managed, which created the occasional pause when the guitar ran out but the vocal kept going (and I kept those pauses intact in later takes). Up, In, Out: v, bgvs, g – NNG Bw: doesn’t/doesn’t, begin/finish line Cf: My pal Rachel Rose was in the room when I recorded this take; That’s why you’ll hear me explaining that the interlude ran longer than I expected (though I was the one who recorded the guitar track). Luminescent: v, bgvs, k – NNG, drums – Sam Blackham Bw – quantum tunneling Cf: The echoing voices were an accident that worked well. Sam sent me the drum tracks after hearing the song online without my having to ask. Sam and I have never met in person; He first stumbled upon my music online at MusicForte.com/member/NatalieNicole. Make it Easier: v, bgvs, k, g – NNG Bw: magically reappear Cf: I used to teach this guitar riff I made up 10 years ago to my guitar students; This was the first time I’d bothered to put words to it. It’s written with my brother in mind. Wasn’t Done: v, g – NNG Bw: kisses and fights? Cf: Written for ‘Christmas: A Modern Take’, though never used for the play. Also written in memory of Damian Hernandez, Jr. This is Me: v –NNG, g – Dana Bisignano, beats and mix – Mark Zunker Bw: chasing Cf: I tried to figure out where I’d said ‘This is Me’ in the original mix of ‘Stop Thinking About Me’ (written in 2006) that Mark used for this fall 2007 creation. I never did; He spotlessly spliced the ‘aningless’ off of ‘This is meaningless’. ;) Mark and I have also never met in person, though unlike Sam and I we do live in the same city. Lost My Journal: v – NNG Bw: Rosetta Stone, metaphors Cf: The journal was most likely left at our November gig at Jewel’s Catch One. The bathroom is their dressing room. As of November 2008, it’s still missing. Silent, Holy Night: v, bgvs, arrangement – NNG Bw: soul felt its worth Cf: This is simply the lyrics of “O Holy Night” arranged over the Franz Schubert melody of Ave Maria with a pinch of Silent Night. “Hail Mary” (Ave Maria): music - Franz Schubert “O Holy Night” (Cantique de Noël) : lyrics - Placide Cappeau, music - Adolpe Adam, translation - John Sullivan Dwight “Silent Night” (Stille Nacht) - lyrics - Joseph Mohr, music - Franz Xaver Gruber With You: v, bgvs, g, mixing – Russell ‘RJ’ Gilbert Bw: la, la, la, la Cf: Tim Flaherty (one of RJ’s former bandmates) and I played this song live at U of L’s Red Barn in 2001. Though it was our favorite part, I think we skipped the ‘la, la, la, la’. Tim now plays with Hot Action Cop (of Need for Speed fame) and Antikythera. DJ U-Turn ‘Cut on Your CD’ Remix: v, bgvs, g – NNG, beats and mix - DJ U-Turn (Alan Bruni) Photos by: Cedars Sinai Imaging, Alan Bruni, Christine Choi, NNG and Ellwyn Kauffman Need friends? Add us: MySpace.com/NatalieNicoleGilbert, /OnTimeTalent, /MusiciansLounge, /SamDrummerBoy, /DanaChristopher, /AlanThePercussionist, /SaveASnowman, /EllwynK, /dirigentke, /FSchubert The other Franz has no MySpace page. ;) Or add us on Facebook: Facebook.com/pages/Natalie-Nicole-Gilbert/14220207793