Well, I see that the last time anyone posted about Rachel was two years ago. I came here with the idea of starting a fan appreciation thread for her. Since this thread has had minimal participation, and since Rachel has teased us now with some original compositions, it seems more exposure for her on this board is warranted. She is an amazing talent...!
First, check out "in the Moment", to date her most fully developed composition:
http://soundcloud.com/rachelflowers-1/in-the-moment
I think that based on this piece alone, she almost merits consideration for being listed at progarchives. Also, at Soundclouds there is another composition called "Other voices" which is quite different but also nice. At this point, the only other original work I've heard is as background music used in the making of this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo4G-TkDVeI
listen closely starting at about the 1:30 mark - this is Rachels own work, and it continues through a vocal number while various scenes of her filmed in California flash by. I'm blown away by her work! It is complex and exhilarating, just like the covers of the old prog masters - Keith Emerson, Zappa, King Crimson, Gentle Giant that she performs flawlessly in other vids at youtube.
And so it has become my preoccupation for the past few days since I discovered Rachel to contemplate the depth of her talent. My sense is that she only began composing recently (she is now 21), or at least was mainly only interested in doing prog covers while still in her teens. But I could be wrong - maybe she is just holding out on us. Taylor Swift penned hundreds of songs while in the 12-16 age bracket. Unfortunately for us proggers, Rachel did not appear to do the same. No, multimillion dollar recording contract are not her thing, nor is luring eligible male suiters. After all, Rachel is totally blind, and appears to have autistic tendencies as well, such as swaying back and forth. It appears she is also a little speech impaired. All of this is remarkable and when you listen to "In the Moment", keep this in mind - you are hearing the brave young voice of a superbly talented musician who just can't keep it all contained, speech impediment be damned. She sings hauntingly in a plain voice. And in that voice is revealed a young woman of normal curiosities and passions, all superimposed on a jazzy arrangement that is light years beyond what a woman her age should be capable of doing. Prog covers - she's a proven talent. Jazz standards - she can cover them beautifully on both flute and piano. And now - the supreme test: Can she ALSO write? Well, the answer is emphatically YES! And not only yes, but in a style that would make any jazz or prog enthusiast beam with pride. Musical savants unfortunately are often drawn to styles that are outdated or even cheesy. They effortlessly copy and playback music that no one actually really wants to hear. But not Rachel! My hope for this genius is that after spending her teen years absorbing some of the most challenging and musically complex prog and jazz out there, she will now spread her butterfly wings and create stunning original work inspired and shaped by the gods of prog's past.
And finally, to quote the previous poster, I have indeed "discovered a new musical idol, and she's a teenage girl (give or take a few years now). And I also welled up with tears. Its too early to tell if she is the messiah, but I do sense somehow that a messenger has been sent to us here on earth by a prog or jazz loving god. I know I'm waxing poetic and overstating things a bit, but I always get this way when new music inspires me...:)
And that god just might be Frank Zappa - talk about beaming with pride. I can see Frank smiling now....
aldri7
Edited by aldri7 - March 13 2015 at 20:43