Julia Wade and Friends - Part 3: Peter Link
Well. I am overwhelmed at the prospect of writing about the prodigious, creative force that is Peter Link -- who is, among other things, my producer.
Instinct urges me to wax poetic. However, in homage to Peter-Link-The-Director, who constantly asks me keep it short, my goal is to be succinct.
Ah, not an easy task when there is always so much to talk about! Among family and friends, we like to say “Peter Link is A LOT of things.” And I am here to attest to that fact.
To begin, Peter Link just spent the last 5 months writing, orchestrating, arranging, producing and collaborating with 4 other singers (including himself) on my 14th album, “Julia Wade and Friends” – a Christmas album.
I actually have come to think of this album as “Peter Link and Friends” because, in the journey of listening, you will experience many parts and pieces of Peter in sublime and fantastic form in this collection of song-experiences.
I could keep going because, yes, there is A LOT to say. However, I will simply tell you a story.
It’s a story that happened to me a year ago -- but the story is actually about Peter Link!
If you’ve read my blog post, “What A Year,” you might remember that I just spent the past 12 months in intensive training in New York, working out my performance chops as I re-enter the New York theater community after more than a decade of focused recording and concertizing.
One night, I sang for a very high-level casting director in a master class setting. I sang a song that I have recorded and also performed in concerts. The song is called “Nothing Only Love” from the Broadway musical, King of Hearts (based on the Alan Bates movie of the same title). The book for the musical was written by Steve Tesich (remember the movie, “Breaking Away?”) and the lyrics are by Jacob Brackman. (oft times lyricist for Carly Simon.) The music is, of course, by Peter Link.
When I finished singing “Nothing Only Love,” the casting director gave me a quick, positive note on my performance and then immediately asked the audience, “Who here knows Peter Link?” Without waiting for an answer, he began to tell the story of the Broadway production of King of Hearts that took place some 30 years ago.
His story was practically verbatim to Peter’s in tone, perspective and passion for that show.
Standing there, I was simply astonished and delighted. My heart filled with the knowledge that this man had the same affection and feeling for this show that Peter had often communicated through the years. I had heard all of the stories of the complex history of this show and its ultimate Broadway production.
I was amazed that this casting director --who had cast literally thousands of actors for numerous projects since the days of King of Hearts -- could so instantly recall the same details and moments that Peter has often shared.
And he remembered Peter Link vividly for his music.
That was without a doubt a huge highlight of my intensive year, and in my life too!
That experience of connection -- of heart, love and passion for art well-crafted and well-performed informs me like nothing else.
I will never forget the joy I felt in listening to this major industry Mover/Shaker talk about Peter and his music with such immediacy and fondness.
That kind of lasting impression, I truly believe, is what you will find in this new Christmas album. The original music and its lyrics, the new and glorious arrangements of well-known carols, and the messages of Christmas are a direct result of Peter’s relationship with Creativity.
Peter often says -- and aptly so, “The songs don’t come from me, they come through me.”
And to all of you I say this: People! I.CAN’T.WAIT. for you to listen to this album. It is, without a doubt, A LOT of things!
The album will be released on November 1, 2019!