VOA慢速英语2012 EXPLORATIONS - Singer Michelle Branch Reinvents Her Music, Again

EXPLORATIONS - Singer Michelle Branch Reinvents Her Music, Again

MARIO RITTER: Welcome to EXPLORATIONS in VOA Special English. I’m Mario Ritter. Today, we look at ways women are reinventing themselves and some of the things they do. We will learn about women who compete in the hard-hitting sport of American football. We hear about a different kind of store for girls.
But first, we tell about award-winning singer Michelle Branch. She has reinvented her musical style not once, but two times in the past ten years. Michelle Branch recently returned to the sound that made her famous. Christopher Cruise tells us more.
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Michelle Branch
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CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Michelle Branch has been writing music since she was 14 years old. That was the same year she received a guitar for her birthday. Her big break came a year later when her best friend called with an urgent request.
MICHELLE BRANCH: “She called me, said ‘you have to get down here and bring a tape or meet this guy because he’s going to be leaving soon.’ [I] said, well I can’t get down there. She said, ‘do you have… just walk, ride your bike, anything.’ My neighbors had left their golf cart out in the driveway with the key in it. And so I took the golf cart and I went down and I was waiting as this guy was leaving. I was like ‘excuse me Mister, will you listen to my tape?’ And he was just horrified¹. But he - on the long drive home back from Arizona to L.A., he put it [the tape on] in the car and he ended up calling me.”
CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Maverick² Records released her first compact disc, “The Spirit Room,” in 2001. The CD produced three hit singles, including the Top 20 Hit “Everywhere.”
A short time later, Michelle won a Grammy award for her work with Carlos Santana in the song “The Game of Love.” In 2005 she successfully made the move to country music, teaming up with Jessica Harp³ as The Wreckers.
Now Michelle has returned to pop music. But she still sings about her country experience in her new CD, “West Coast Time”.
MICHELLE BRANCH: “I had a country band called The Wreckers for a while and I moved to Nashville, and it’s, it’s sort of a song about my time spent there and how I always felt kind of a little bit different because, you know, everyone had their southern upbringing there and I was raised on the west coast and had an upbringing of a little bit of country music but a lot of rock and roll."
CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Michelle had established herself as a star with her first two albums. So the big question was, “why do a country album at all?”
MICHELLE BRANCH: “I grew up listening to older country music - Patsy Cline, and Johnny Cash and those greats. And I just always loved the storytelling aspect and where the lyrics⁴ came from. And so that was, that was something that I was really drawn⁵ to and it just felt too special to turn our back on.”
CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Michelle’s life has changed a lot since then, and so has her music.
MICHELLE BRANCH: “The writing has changed a lot because my last pop album was released almost eight years ago and I’m married and a mother now and I think a lot has changed. I’ve seen a lot of the world so my perspective lyrically has changed a lot. I think the songwriting is classic Michelle but there is some definitely new modern sounds.”
CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Michelle is a simple, yet creative young woman. One example is her choice of tattoos⁶.
MICHELLE BRANCH: “Well I thought because most people get something really meaningful written in cursive on their wrists and I thought from far away it just looks like something meaningful, beautiful. And I have a little bit of a goofy sense of humor so I thought well it’d be funny if people ask me what it is. But, yeah I had Kellie Pickler walk up to me and she said ‘oh, I love your tattoos! Look at mine. Mine say, peace and love or hope and faith or something.’ And she goes ‘what do yours say?’ I said … right and left… and it just was awkward.”
CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: When Michelle is not making music or performing, she likes to use social media to communicate.
MICHELLE BRANCH: “I tweet, kind of - it’s kind of a problem. My daughter is like ‘mom, are you on Twitter again?’ I really have a great relationship with a lot of people on Twitter so it’s a fun way to request songs or you know, reach out.”
CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Michelle says she is looking forward to hearing from fans about her new CD and sharing her new sound and ideas with people around the world. I’m Christopher Cruise.
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MARIO RITTER: You are listening to the VOA Special English program EXPLORATIONS.
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Women and American Football
MARIO RITTER: American football is often compared to war. Relatively⁸ few women play the sport. But Faith Lapidus tells us about some women who have been playing football for years.
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FAITH LAPIDUS: American Football has replaced baseball as America’s favorite sport. Football has traditionally been played by men - big men who like to hit. However, in the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of women’s football leagues. The women play by the same rules and with the same level of physical contact as the men’s sport. Tarsha Fain is team captain of the Baltimore Nighthawks.
TARSHA FAIN: “I feel women can do anything a man can do. The same way they get out there and hit, we get out there and hit too.”
FAITH LAPIDUS: Fain and team owner Tanya Bryan were part of the first ever women’s World Championship last year. The American team -- with Fain playing and Bryan serving as team manager -- won the gold medal.
TANYA BRYAN: “To be the first, the first time it was done, and be part of it, you know, no one else can ever say that. So it’s just a wonderful feeling and I’m so proud of that.”
FAITH LAPIDUS: About ten women’s professional football leagues have been formed in the United States in recent years. Many have either joined with other leagues or failed. But the sport continues to grow.
Ghoncheh Mossanen is an offensive specialist for the Nighthawks. She has played football for 28 years. Mossanen says the sport is her therapy. It is what she looks forward to the most.
GHONCHEH MOSSANEN: “I feel there’s a transformation⁹ when I go from putting on my gear and stepping on this football field. It’s a huge mental transformation.”
FAITH LAPIDUS: Mossanen moved to America from Iran as a child. She remembers the first time she ever played football – at a game in her neighborhood.
GHONCHEH MOSSANEN: “I remember getting the phone call from my cousin saying ‘come on out, we need one more person to play.’ I didn’t know what it was. I had never played the game and I remember going out there and just fell in love with it.”
FAITH LAPIDUS: Most of the other players on the Nighthawks have also played since they were children. Most played unofficially or in non-contact leagues. But for team owner Tanya Bryan, women’s football was a completely new experience.
TANYA BRYAN: “It’s funny, I didn’t even realize the sport existed for women. And I got a phone call from a friend of mine and she said there was an opportunity to own a team in Baltimore. And I thought it sounded really exciting and I said yes, and four years later here I am.”
FAITH LAPIDUS: When Bryan bought the team she did not expect to make money right away. After four years, she is no longer losing money. But Bryan says what was most important to her was giving young women a chance to play ball.
TANYA BRYAN: “Most of the time as women growing up we’re told, you know - not to be aggressive, and you know not to be assertive¹⁰. And it’s nice to have an outlet¹¹ where you can come somewhere and let all of that out. You know you can be loud. You can hit somebody. You can just let it all go. And you know I think it’s really, it’s really healthy, you know. Great athleticism¹² is required for football and the team camaraderie¹³ is just fantastic.”
FAITH LAPIDUS: The teamwork was great in the team’s recent game against the Philadelphia Firebirds. After a slow first half, the Nighthawks score … and hang on for an 8-0 win.
GHONCHEH MOSSANEN: “Its elation⁷! I mean the team deserves it. We’ve been playing hard. It’s amazing. Now it’s our chance to make the championship.”
FAITH LAPIDUS: The Nighthawks did not win the championship. But, they say having a chance to play this traditionally men’s sport against other women is itself a victory. I’m Faith Lapidus.
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American Girl Dolls
Some businesses are doing very well in the current economy. An example is American Girl, which appeals to girls and their parents. As we hear from Christopher Cruise, an American Girl store might change your idea of what a doll can do.
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CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: American Girl dolls are costly¹⁴ for most Americans. But sales of the dolls are strong, even at a time when many people are concerned about the economy. Kaeli Chang has several American Girl dolls, including one that looks just like her. She and the doll wear the same kind of clothing.
KAELI CHANG: “We got matching outfits¹⁵ and I love to match with my doll. And it makes me feel kinda cool because I have a friend just like me.”
CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: We spoke¹⁶ with Kaeli and her mother Liane Whalen-Chang at the American Girl store in Tysons Corner, Virginia.
KAELI CHANG: “I have nine American Girl dolls all together ‘cause my mom’s an awesome¹⁷ shopper.”
LIANE WHALEN-CHANG: “What I like about it is that it kind of brings back the innocence¹⁸ of the kids. They grow up too fast. And so the American Girl allows her to just be a little girl a little bit longer."
CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Kaeli got her first American Girl doll just after she was born. That was the beginning of her collection.
A single American Girl doll sells for one hundred dollars. Extra clothing can increase the cost. Valerie Tripp has written more than thirty American Girl books. She loves writing for eight-year-old girls.
VALERIE TRIPP: “We wanted to speak to girls who were eight, nine, ten years old and say whatever your passion is whatever you’re interested in right now, you know, hang onto that.”
CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: She says, most of them are reading by themselves for the first time.
VALERIE TRIPP: “The ability to walk in somebody else’s shoes is a wonderful life skill. And if you can read about someone who lived in a different time and kind of walk into her world, isn’t that a wonderful way of, you know, learning?”
CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: I’m Christopher Cruise.
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MARIO RITTER: This program was written by June Simms and Christopher Cruise. He and Faith Lapidus read our reports. Find transcripts¹⁹, MP3s and captioned²⁰ video of each part of our program at voanews.cn.
And visit The Classroom to find activities for English learning and teaching at VOA Learning English. I’m Mario Ritter. Join us again next week for EXPLORATIONS in VOA Special English.

1 horrified   

a.(表现出)恐惧的

参考例句：

• The whole country was horrified by the killings. 全国都对这些凶杀案感到大为震惊。
• We were horrified at the conditions prevailing in local prisons. 地方监狱的普遍状况让我们震惊。

2 maverick   

adj.特立独行的；不遵守传统的；n.持异议者，自行其是者

参考例句：

• He's a maverick.He has his own way of thinking about things.他是个特异独行的人。对事情有自己的看法。
• You're a maverick and you'll try anything.你是个爱自行其是的人，样样事情都要尝试一下。

3 harp   

n.竖琴；天琴座

参考例句：

• She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。
• He played an Irish melody on the harp.他用竖琴演奏了一首爱尔兰曲调。

4 lyrics   

n.歌词

参考例句：

• music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hart 由罗杰斯和哈特作词作曲
• The book contains lyrics and guitar tablatures for over 100 songs. 这本书有100多首歌的歌词和吉他奏法谱。

5 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

6 tattoos   

n.文身( tattoo的名词复数 )；归营鼓；军队夜间表演操；连续有节奏的敲击声v.刺青，文身( tattoo的第三人称单数 )；连续有节奏地敲击；作连续有节奏的敲击

参考例句：

• His arms were covered in tattoos. 他的胳膊上刺满了花纹。
• His arms were covered in tattoos. 他的双臂刺满了纹身。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 elation   

n.兴高采烈，洋洋得意

参考例句：

• She showed her elation at having finally achieved her ambition.最终实现了抱负，她显得十分高兴。
• His supporters have reacted to the news with elation.他的支持者听到那条消息后兴高采烈。

8 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

9 transformation   

n.变化；改造；转变

参考例句：

• Going to college brought about a dramatic transformation in her outlook.上大学使她的观念发生了巨大的变化。
• He was struggling to make the transformation from single man to responsible husband.他正在努力使自己由单身汉变为可靠的丈夫。

10 assertive   

adj.果断的，自信的，有冲劲的

参考例句：

• She always speaks an assertive tone.她总是以果断的语气说话。
• China appears to have become more assertive in the waters off its coastline over recent years.在近些年，中国显示出对远方海洋的自信。

11 outlet   

n.出口/路；销路；批发商店；通风口；发泄

参考例句：

• The outlet of a water pipe was blocked.水管的出水口堵住了。
• Running is a good outlet for his energy.跑步是他发泄过剩精力的好方法。

12 athleticism   

n.运动竞赛，崇尚运动，竞技热

参考例句：

• He brings defense. He brings talent. He brings athleticism. That's a lot. “他带来的防御，他带来了人才，他带来了身体，这是很多”。 来自互联网
• Each of these sports isn't won through sheer athleticism alone. 每个体育项目无法凭借纯粹的运动能力而获胜。 来自互联网

13 camaraderie   

n.同志之爱，友情

参考例句：

• The camaraderie among fellow employees made the tedious work just bearable.同事之间的情谊使枯燥乏味的工作变得还能忍受。
• Some bosses are formal and have occasional interactions,while others prefer continual camaraderie.有些老板很刻板，偶尔才和下属互动一下；有些则喜欢和下属打成一片。

14 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

15 outfits   

n.全套装备( outfit的名词复数 )；一套服装；集体；组织v.装备，配置设备，供给服装( outfit的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• He jobbed out the contract to a number of small outfits. 他把承包工程分包给许多小单位。 来自辞典例句
• Some cyclists carry repair outfits because they may have a puncture. 有些骑自行车的人带修理工具，因为他们车胎可能小孔。 来自辞典例句

16 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

17 awesome   

adj.令人惊叹的，难得吓人的，很好的

参考例句：

• The church in Ireland has always exercised an awesome power.爱尔兰的教堂一直掌握着令人敬畏的权力。
• That new white convertible is totally awesome.那辆新的白色折篷汽车简直棒极了.

18 innocence   

n.无罪；天真；无害

参考例句：

• There was a touching air of innocence about the boy.这个男孩有一种令人感动的天真神情。
• The accused man proved his innocence of the crime.被告人经证实无罪。

19 transcripts   

n.抄本（ transcript的名词复数 ）；转写本；文字本；副本

参考例句：

• Like mRNA, both tRNA and rRNA are transcripts of chromosomal DNA. tRNA及rRNA同mRNA一样，都是染色体DNA的转录产物。 来自辞典例句
• You can't take the transfer students'exam without your transcripts. 没有成绩证明书，你就不能参加转学考试。 来自辞典例句

20 captioned   

a.标题项下的； 标题所说的

参考例句：

• This paper reviews the production, development and nationalization of the captioned materials. 本文就铜系合金引线框架材料的生产、发展和国产化进程作一论述。
• Please advise other considerable hotels for this captioned group. 请推荐其它一些高级的旅馆给这一群打标语的人。