Celeste Friedman: Music & Books

The Road to Santiago - CD

The Road to Santiago de Compostela
Countless individuals have made the pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. A five-hundred mile trek across Spain over the Pyrenees Mountains and rugged terrain. The trail is fickle, from smooth sand or grass to rocks and ridges. Many believe it to be a spiritual transformation and powerful challenge of faith.

Having not yet taken the journey myself, I close my eyes and imagine. I can feel the angels all around me. The meseta beckons, as the mountains slowly rise behind. The endless vineyards along the way are an elixir for the soul. As I near my celestial destination, I descend through a forest in the snow. Peering through a veil of sweet persuasion, the moon lights my way, the way of Saint James.

Espiritu Santo mi guia . . . Celeste

Grammy nominated singer-songwriter and composer Celeste Friedman delivers an eclectic journey of originals in tribute to the countless pilgrims who have crossed the five-hundred mile trek to the Cathedral de Compostela. For over one thousand years, it has been believed to be the final resting place of the apostle Saint James. Friedman closes her eyes and imagines, sensing the angels everywhere. The Holy Spirit is her guide along the winding, rocky path, where she reveals in the title track that she carries all of her dreams and sins, a heavy load.

Haunting, mesmerizing and hypnotic best describes Friedman's compositions, lifting a veil on struggles with faith. In search of strength and guidance, Friedman features singles such as, "Searching"; "Forgiveness"; "White Butterfly" and "The Meaning of Life". Challenged by a crippling disease since her mid-thirties, Celeste tells the story of tolerance of pain and tests of patience and acceptance in "Running with Scissors". Reflecting on the snowy descent in the mountains, she includes her ballad, "The Trees are Bare" and a traditional Irish piece, "The Snows They Melt the Soonest". In "Oranges", she unravels the desire for happiness and simplicity, while still passionately feeding the fire in her soul.

Instrumental compositions include works which have been featured in television and film, such as "Secret Land"; "The Alchemist"; "La Rose Rouge" and "O Dominus". The entire collection is a tapestry weaving jazz, Latin, Celtic, contemporary pop and orchestral styles.

"The Road to Santiago" title track refers to the scallop shell in the lyrics. Metaphorically, the shell, often found on the shores of Galicia, has long been a symbol of the pilgrimage routes, where the grooves in the shell come together at one single point. The journey to Santiago de Compostela was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages in medieval times. Today, common starting points are Paris, France or the town of Le Puy. Some claim to experience a holy transformation of the soul and believe to discover a new understanding of life, death and one's relationship with God.

http://CDBaby.com/cd/celestef8

CD Baby

Single 101- the music CD

A companion to Celeste's book, "Single 101: 101 Reasons to Celebrate Being Single".

All the songs from her one-woman shows, "Single 101", featuring The Dribble on My Pillow, I'm Allergic to Ya Baby and Batteries Not Included".

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/celestef7

Single 101: 101 Reasons to Celebrate Being Single - book

July 1, 2010
For Immediate Release
Flying Solo Publishing
740.364.1223

"Single 101: 101 Reasons to Celebrate Being Single" Celebrates Independence!

Columbus, Ohio- Flying Solo Publishing is proud to announce the release of “Single 101: 101 Reasons to Celebrate Being Single” by author and Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Celeste Friedman. As we celebrate America’s independence, The Single 101 Nation raises its flag to freedom with the official American launch of the book.

Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Single-101-Reasons-Celebrate-Being/dp/1451510519 and other digital online retailers. You can find it in the Kindle Store, just follow this link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003S3S06M

In “Single 101”, Celeste opens a Pandora’s Box of what lives in the hearts of single men and women. Revealing funny truths, common principles and basic needs, she salutes those who enjoy their independence and fearlessly tread outside of the mainstream. Friedman gives allegiance and support to singles who are content living alone, unveiling the truth that not all single people are lonely, abandoned and desperate to find a mate.

“I’ll be the first to admit that it’s complicated to live with me”, says Friedman. “My passion for writing and composing consumes my days and nights; I don’t function in a messy environment; and I prefer the bed all to myself”.

Celeste claims that after two marriages and a few boyfriends who temporarily played the role of Mr. Right, she has been far more successful living alone. Since opting to fly solo, she has been nominated for a Grammy Award and two European Indie Artist of the Year Awards; scored for a Pulitzer Prize-nominated play; received several honors and citations in music and education; nominated for two Pat Weaver Awards for contributions in television; and her work has been featured in the Ottawa International Animation Film festival, as well as Festival de Cannes in 2008.

Empowerment . . . Freedom to Pursue Your Passion . . . No In-Laws . . . Spontaneity

“You’ll laugh, cry, smile and find “Single 101” to be very poignant, matter-of-fact and real. It’s an opportunity to look within, discovering an empowering tranquility”.
. . . Author P. Emily McLaughlin

“Being single may be tough at times, but it is the best thing that can happen to a person. Celeste Friedman´s book is very personal, funny, sad, and inspiring. A must read.”
. . . Christyann Anderson, Single Life Editor for BellaOnline

Check out her website at www.Single-101.webs.com and her blog at: www.Single-101.blogspot.com, filled with thoughts and musings on the single lifestyle.

For book-signing events and performances, check out the calendar on this site. To schedule an interview or purchase the book directly, please contact Flying Solo Publishing at 740.364.1223 or email: FlyingSoloPublishing@yahoo.com

Book Trailer Link: http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=_B1Xsvulnj8

The music from Celeste's One-Woman Show, "Single 101", is now available on CDBaby and iTunes!

Download from the Kindle Store
Amazon.com
Amazon.com: Also available in the Amazon Kindle Store!

Live at the Bluebird Cafe - CD

"Live"at the Bluebird Cafe"

Songs For Charlie Music is proud to share the March 2009 release of Celeste-“Live at the Bluebird Café”.
A featured singer-songwriter for the past fifteen years at The Bluebird Café, Celeste now offers live tracks from several performances
from the Bluebird stage. Since 1982, the Bluebird has gained a reputation worldwide for presenting the best in singer-songwriters where writers pass the audition process and proceed on to showcasing on Sunday evenings and beyond. The Bluebird is well known for being a magical listening room where many popular music artists have been discovered and several of the Bluebird shows move on to other venues around the world, including Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort. “Celeste- Live at the Bluebird Café” features several performances throughout the years, where she is accompanied by fellow songwriters and vocalists. Many of the tunes are from Sunday night showcases and a few from a one-hour Saturday dinner showcase. The CD offers 16 live cuts, including her Number One hit,
“Another Rock in My Shoe”, her pop-blues favorite, “I Can Change My Mind” and the forthcoming single,
“It’s the South” to be released on her next project,
“Sweet Magnolia Wine”, coming in the summer of 2009. Thank you to Amy Kurland, Janis Ian, Jeff Pearson
and the talented staff of The Bluebird Café
for many years of joy, memories and opportunities!

Buy Celeste's CD's at CDBaby!

Every Tear I Know - CD

Every Tear I Know
Powerful vocals and more lyrical portraits from this prolific songwriter and GRAMMY Nominee.

Available on iTunes!

#1 week of September 9, 2007 on "Gospel and Country" with Peter Anderl- Radio Maria, Austria.

#4 week of August 30, 2007 on "Highway 61" with
Massimo Ferro- Radio Voce Spazio- Italy

Top 30 week of December 2, 2007 on "Rockin' Boy Saloon" with Jacques Dufour- Radio Lyon1- France

"the most beautiful voices and songs are hidden by independent label artists. It's like a refreshing wave coming over you. The music and voice of Celeste are a wonderfull contribution to the programs of Country Special"
. . . George Backer, Radio Beverwijk, The Netherlands

Passion, innocence, love and heartache are all tied together in Celeste’s collection, “Every Tear I Know”. This CD shines the spotlight on her haunting ballad, “Wild Horses” which is also included in “All States All Stars”, a 3-CD boxed set sent to 20,000 U.S. troops in 2007.
Featured in the film, Veronika’s Birthday, the title track, “Every Tear I Know” has a timeless sound, reminiscent of Patsy Cline in Celeste’s soaring vocals. Celeste captures your heart in the lonely ballad, “The Moon and the Stars” and lends tribute to sweet romance with“This Is That Love”.
Amidst these vulnerable ballads are two hot, rockabilly numbers, “Another Rock in My Shoe” and “Break Up”. Beau Bruce of MCA Publishing Nashville, calls“Break Up” one of the happiest break up songs he’s ever heard, laden with pure honky-tonk.

Buy "Every Tear I Know" at CD Baby: Purchase a copy for a friend!

The Tide - CD

"The Tide"

The title track of my new CD project, The Tide, was inspired by Pastor Joel Osteen of The Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. During one of his broadcasts, he told a story of a boat that was stranded on the shore and that we can be assured that the tide always comes back.

Over the past fifteen years, I have written several inspirational tunes, but never recorded them. Joel’s words of wisdom motivated me to gather those songs together into a collection, now known as The Tide. This includes inspirational as well as contemporary Christian songs such as “If You Believe in Me”, “Dear Life” the Gospel number, “Forgiveness” and the inspirational ballad, "Is God Listening?"
Added to the collection are two songs nominated for a Pat Weaver Award for contributions in television, “A Home Run”, and “Take A Little Step”, nominated in 1995 and 1997, respectfully.

"A Home Run will be a big hit someday, a home run, if you will"
. . . Stevie Beck, Associate Producer- A Prairie Home Companion
"A Home Run is a heart warming sentiment in tribute to Celeste's father"
. . . Peter Primont, President of Cherry Lane Publishing International

“The Tide” is available on both CDBaby and iTunes.
To purchase a copy directly, email: iSales@SongsForCharlieMusic.com.
Please visit The Tide Always Come Back my "Tide" MySpace Page and become a friend.

I hope you enjoy “The Tide”. Thanks so much for your support!
Best wishes, Celeste

“A heart at peace gives life to the body” . . . Proverbs 14:30

Buy this CD at CDBaby

A Baby Was Born - CD single

"A Baby Was Born"~ CD single

In a joyful gospel and bluegrass style, "A Baby Was Born" is full of beautiful harmonies and sentiment for the season with lyrics that remind us of the true meaning of Christmas.

Written, produced and performed by Celeste, this lovely piece also features Darell Sanson on mandolin.

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/celestef6