Carolyn Carreiro (c. 1975)
When you write a song you need an acoustic guitar, a dreadnought, to compose it.
— Carolyn Carreiro
Carolyn’s old Guild Guitar. (Credit Keith Carreiro 2016.)
Carolyn in California. (Credit Susan Caspi, c. 1968.)
When asked who influenced her the most musically, she says, “Dylan has a very powerful impact on my playing and singing. Some of my favorite songs of his, for example, are ‘Shelter from the Storm’ (1974), and ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ (1965). I also love the music of Joni Mitchell and Carol King, especially her album Tapestry (1971), as well as that of The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton.”
One of Carolyn’s pastels. (Credit Keith Carreiro, 2005.)
One of my best friends at the time, pianist Dick Tilton, had been talking to me for a year about Carolyn. He was convinced that she and I had a lot in common. He kept encouraging me to go to the Tavern at The New England Inn where local musicians in the area would get together once a week and play their music. Carolyn, Peter White, Bob Rutherford, Rod MacKenzie, and Kevin Dolan were some of the musicians who gathered there.
Carolyn singing in western Pennsylvania. (Credit Keith Carreiro c. 2000.)
My God, she’s beautiful!
Carolyn in Sedona, Arizona. (Credit Keith Carreiro 1995.)
Her singing—is magical. Annie Lennox and Tracy Chapman, have a voice range similar to Carolyn’s. Yet, Carolyn has this alto vocal coloration that can be best described as experiencing a cool breeze on the hottest day in the summer, as well as a warm caress in the coldest day of the winter. There is a space to it, a pliability that stretches one’s sense of wonder upon hearing it. Her enunciation is spot on, and her phrasing a lyric to the demands of the song structure itself, is flawless.
Keith and Carolyn Carreiro. (Credit Bill Palcich, 1994.)
Cover Photo to “The Wishing Stone”. Taken at Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona, Arizona. (Credit Bill Palcich 1994.)
Getting into the very pores and interstitial structure of a song itself, pushing the technique out of the way, even finding the technique to trace the arc of a song’s story, is a wild achievement to experience. But, when you can disappear into it and explore the very fabric of music within the realm of the chordal structure, meter and interaction between guitars, voice and the message of the lyrics . . . well, it’s like making love, riding a hurricane, sailing downwind in a strong breeze.
Carolyn playing her new Guild guitar. (Credit Keith Carreiro 2015.)
Pretty tough to top that . . .
Related Links:
Carolyn Carreiro and Keith Carreiro. “City Fever.” By Carolyn Carreiro. Youtube. YouTube, LLC. 22 February, 2015.
If you like what you hear on YouTube, go to the link below to listen to the music on our album The Wishing Stone (1994):
< https://soundcloud.com/search?q=Carolyn%20Carreiro >.
https://beginnerguitarhq.com/best-guild-acoustic-guitar/
Peeke, Dan. “Best Guild Acoustic Guitar.” Beginner Guitar HQ, 29 Sept. 2019, beginnerguitarhq.com/best-guild-acoustic-guitar/. Accessed 28 Jan. 2020.
Works Cited:
Carreiro, Carolyn, and Keith Carreiro. “City Fever.” 1990. The Wishing Stone. Blackboard Productions, Flagstaff, AZ, 1994. CD.
Dylan, Bob. “Like a Rolling Stone.” By Bob Dylan. Rec. 15-17 June 1965. Columbia, 20 July 1965. LP.
Dylan, Bob. “Shelter from the Storm.” By Bob Dylan. Rec. 17 September 1974. Blood on the Tracks. Columbia, January 1975. LP.
Pink Floyd. “Time.” By Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright. The Dark Side of the Moon. Rec. June 1972 – January 1973. Abbey Road Studios, 1 March 1973. LP.
King, Carole. Tapestry. Rec. January 1971. Ode, 10 February 1971. LP.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Except for the album, The Wishing Stone, I have no material connection to the brands, products or services that I have mentioned here. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
10 comments. Leave new
What an awesome blog dad! Carol is absolutely stunning! Great job to the both of you!
Hi, Myriah: Thank you. Glad you had a chance to read it and that you liked what was written.
Wow! That is all I can say! You are amazing my dearest…
You are more than welcome . . .
I had to share it with everyone….It’s funny, I’ve told the story of true love, you, and Mom…. to so many….This just backs it up…brought tears to my eyes…It’s love you both so much….The 2 best people in the world!
Hi, Sage: What a good surprise that you read and gave a comment to my tribute to your mom! Love you, — Dad
I enjoyed seeing you both perform in Crystal Bay, Florida and Sedona, Arizona. We still listen to your CD all the time. You inspired me. I am writing songs and playing the guitar, ukelele, trumpet and piano. We hope to see you in Vermont in August!
Great to hear from you, Frank! Thank you for your comment. Sounds wonderful that you are writing and playing music! I would love to hear you sing and play.
It has been a joy to read your Blogs and now to listen to Carolyn’s words and music. THANK YOU!
Thank you, Barbara. She is an excellent songwriter, and her singing is just as beautiful as she is to me.