Singing the female background vocals on “Foil” was fun and hilarious. There is never a dull moment recording with Weird Al. So please to be working with him again!
Author: moniquedonnelly
Neil Young Sessions 2014
Neil Young Album 2014
In true Neil Young style, we recorded background vocals with a full live orchestra, what a rare treat.
Just like how they did it back in the day! We recorded each song about three or four times. For the first song rather than use a click track, we simply all watched the conductor and just felt the groove.
Vocal Contracting on The Sound and the Fury
Such a thrill to be vocal contracting on the upcoming film The Sound and the Fury, directed by and staring James Franco.
I love being able to higher my singer friends and I couldn’t have been more proud of the way they sang with all their heart and soul. This on-camera choir included some of LA’s top session singers. Grammy award winner Alvin Chea (from Take Six), as well as Carmen Twillie, singer of the iconic Disney tune “The Circle of Life”. As well as being trusted to pick the right singers, they even allowed me to help pick out and help arrange the tunes they’d perform.
adaptation of William Faulkner’s 1929 novel
The Voice Season Finale with Celine Dion
For the season finale of the voice I had the distinct privilege of backing Celine Dion and The Voice finalist Tessanne. Needless to say, it was especially unique and exciting to be singing with a living legend in an intense and energetic performance. Celine instructed us to give it our all and really pushed the choir to give the performance that extra oomph. We had a blast!
Rio 2 Sessions
In our most recent Rio 2 session we were invited to record in John Powell’s private studio. We laid down vocals for both songs as well as soundtrack. As always John Powell has created amazing textures and emotions. Can’t wait to see this film!!
The Voice Season 5
I was pleased to have the opportunity to perform on another season of The Voice. As a part of the ensemble for top 10 finalist Jaquie Lee. I love hanging with my fellow singers all day and it was really nice of Christina to give a shout out to the background singers too! Check out the entire performance here.
Rio 2 with Sergio Mendes
Rio 2 is in production and I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be able to be a part! What a treat to meet and work with Sergio Mendes and all his crazy Latin rhythm! Such a talented, humble man who’s toothy smile is infectious. He’s helping write some of the tunes and the collaboration between he and John Powell is just magic.
Catch my daughter in the Rio 2 trailer as Cliara the Capybara. I had a great time being her vocal coach for this session.
WOW Sesions with Russell Brower and Neal Acre
The people at Blizzard entertainment always have something cooking and these WOW sessions always keep me on my toes. It never surprises me to see crazy meters at crazy speeds. The result is always beautiful though. Russell Brower and Neal Acre are wonderful composers!
Disney Concert Hall with Phoenix and Bergersen
That’s me on the top left.
That’s me on the top left.
Today I joined composers Nick Phoenix and Thomas Bergersen as a part of their choir at Disney Concert Hall for their first live concert. Their music is most recognizable from blockbuster movie trailers and their company “Two Steps From Hell” has such a loyal following that just a few measures into a song and the crowd would go wild. It was great to see the audience really fired up. The music was really intense, I got to belt out the first soprano high notes in my “out door voice”… ha! That gives me a thrill like none other. Since singing the music, I now recognize it in trailers or commercials. What a great gig. Not only do I get paid to do what I love, I get to hang out with 59 of my fellow studio singer friends while I do it.
Monique Donnelly 