Here you go, blog readers! By popular demand, part two of my imaginary interview.
Interviewer: Well, this has been a very LONG commercial break, but we are back with Marion Walsh, who was just getting ready to tell us about the song that she wrote for her father. Marion, can you tell us how this song came to be?
Marion: Well, as I explain on my blog, the song actually came to me in a dream. In the dream, I was opening up for Bob Dylan (yeah I know, it was a good dream!) and there was some trouble with the sound, but I was singing one of his songs. With him watching! Can you imagine!
Anyway, the first words to the song were
"on and on, on and on, best before the day is done" and the tune was there, too, and I woke up with the dream very fresh in my mind and I could not get the tune and those words out of my head. So I wrote it down and worked with it, tried to turn it into something, but had some trouble.
Fast forward a few months, Dad gets sick, I revisit the song, change the word "best" to "rest" in the first line, and then it sort of seemed to flow. I liked it. I sang it for Dad as he lay dying. Literally. He was fortunate enough to die at home, in the house that he built fifty five years before. He was in his own bed. I sat next to him and played my little song and got a smile from him. So I played it some more, but it didn't have an end. I just couldn't figure out how to end the song. It just sort of petered out. Then Dad died, and I had my ending.
Interviewer: Wow. How does the song end?
The last verse goes:
"On and on, on and on,
how beautiful your setting sun
stretching out across the sky
and your train is gonna be here by and bye..."
His death was a beautiful, mysterious, peaceful, peaceful, peaceful thing and so inspiring, I hardly know what to do.
Interviewer: What do you mean, you hardly know what to do?
Marion: I mean I just feel inspired, connected, like I can almost touch the other side, if you will...
Interviewer: The other side?
Marion: Yeah, the other side, you know, that place where inspiration comes from..or maybe you don't know, I don't know. I'm not sure what I'm talking about, really. It's just a feeling. I just feel inspired, that's all, like I want to do something, but I don't know what to do.
Oh my gosh, I can't explain myself at all I really do have thoughts in my head, I promise! ..must be the holidays dumbing me down or something..ask me the same question after New Year's.
Interviewer: Speaking of the New Year, any particular creative goals for you?
Marion: I would like to write more, sing more, love more, laugh more. And I would like to sing in Carnegie Hall. Please.
Interviewer: I'll see what I can do!
Marion: Thank you!
Interviewer: We only have a minute left, but I want to ask you something non-music related, something that I've heard about you that I just wanted to know. A silly thing.
Marion: Okay, sure, silly is good. What do you want to know?
Interviewer: Umm, I heard that you were once a member of the Donny Osmond fan club. Any truth to that little piece of useless gossip?
Marion: YES! It's true! I was a proud and very exited member of the Osmond Brothers fan club when I was in elementary school, maybe nine or 10 years old. I saved up some money, paid my membership dues and awaited all sorts of fun stuff in the mail, posters, magazines, all sorts of things, mostly made of paper, as I recall. My room was a shrine to all things Osmond. For example, here's something I learned from the fan club: did you know there is another Osmond brother who is deaf?
Interviewer: No, really?
Marion: Yes, really. Or that's what I understood at the time, anyway. In any case, my Osmond obsession was short-lived. I didn't renew my membership to the club, and ultimately I decided that I was a dork for belonging to the fan club, and I threw all the stuff out and moved on to, I think maybe David Cassidy.
Interviewer: Great, thanks for setting the record straight. How about this one: Is there any truth to the story about you and Courtney Love having a catfight?
Marion: NO! Where did that one come from? I have never even met the woman.
Interviewer: OK, we are out of time, thank you Marion for speaking with us today. Good luck with your song. Where can listeners get a copy of your song?
Marion: They can go to my cdbaby.com or itunes and purchase a download or a CD.
Interviewer: OK, Thank you Marion.
Marion: Thank you. Margaret. Meghan. Sorry. Meghan. Thank you Meghan.
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Holiday Blues
I dedicate this post to all people everywhere who would be happy to skip the holidays, who feel the holiday blues, who have arrived at this time of year again, only to hunker down and get through it. I feel your pain.
Nothing bad ever happened to me at Christmas time. I had an intact family, plenty of food and plenty of stuff. I went to church, had plenty of friends, always enjoyed my presents and so forth. So my holiday blues are not logical, but they are real, and I GET IT.
So I just want to use this space to say to all of you who are suffering right now that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. And IT'S OKAY not to feel perky cheery haphaphappy this time of year. It really is. You will get through it, we will get through it and everything will be okay. The earth will keep revolving, the sun and the moon will do their thing, mountains will still be high and rivers low, people will be people, and it will all be okay.
DONA NOBIS PACEM. Peace peace peace.
Nothing bad ever happened to me at Christmas time. I had an intact family, plenty of food and plenty of stuff. I went to church, had plenty of friends, always enjoyed my presents and so forth. So my holiday blues are not logical, but they are real, and I GET IT.
So I just want to use this space to say to all of you who are suffering right now that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. And IT'S OKAY not to feel perky cheery haphaphappy this time of year. It really is. You will get through it, we will get through it and everything will be okay. The earth will keep revolving, the sun and the moon will do their thing, mountains will still be high and rivers low, people will be people, and it will all be okay.
DONA NOBIS PACEM. Peace peace peace.
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
New National Anthem
I am a homesick American, presently living in Canada. I miss a lot of things, but one thing I don't miss is our national anthem. Don't get me wrong, I love our national anthem. As a Baltimorean, I take special pride in imagining Francis Scott Key penning the lyrics from my harbor as the bombs were actually bursting in air above the skies of my city.
But to me, the words are a bit jingoistic, too military. And the tune! Good grief, I don't think there are many people who have the vocal range to sing the whole thing comfortably. You either have to start too low for yourself so that you can hit that hight note at the end, or do what a lot of people do an just start singing at your comfortable range and then squeak out that high note on "land of the FREE!" if you haven't forgotten the words and still have the breath to make it to the end.
(Oh! And it really irks me when people have to show off their vocal range on that song, and add all sorts of vibrato and extra vocal wiggles and jiggles to it. Just sing it straight, why don't ya? The song is not about you and your voice! It's about our country!)
So, I propose a new American National Anthem: America the Beautiful. Singable. Short. A tribute to the land and the people, not just the military might that makes the US what it is.
In case you have forgotten, here are the lyrics. Well, not all the lyrics, just the two verses that I like.
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
end of blog entry
But to me, the words are a bit jingoistic, too military. And the tune! Good grief, I don't think there are many people who have the vocal range to sing the whole thing comfortably. You either have to start too low for yourself so that you can hit that hight note at the end, or do what a lot of people do an just start singing at your comfortable range and then squeak out that high note on "land of the FREE!" if you haven't forgotten the words and still have the breath to make it to the end.
(Oh! And it really irks me when people have to show off their vocal range on that song, and add all sorts of vibrato and extra vocal wiggles and jiggles to it. Just sing it straight, why don't ya? The song is not about you and your voice! It's about our country!)
So, I propose a new American National Anthem: America the Beautiful. Singable. Short. A tribute to the land and the people, not just the military might that makes the US what it is.
In case you have forgotten, here are the lyrics. Well, not all the lyrics, just the two verses that I like.
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
end of blog entry
My New Favorite Holiday
I have a new favorite holiday. Veteran's Day, otherwise known as Remembrance Day in Canada.
(OK I have to stop here and just say that it REALLY annoys me when my computer tells me my American spelling is wrong, and tries to change "favorite " to FavOUrite" and "color" to "colOUR" and so forth. Leave my American spelling alone, will ya! I am a good speller! Go correct something else! Correct the lousy weather, or the date of Thanksgiving, or something.
end of rant.)
ANYWAY, I think Veteran's Day is the perfect holiday because you can't argue with it. I mean, it seems to me that regardless of your philosophical views about war, or your political opinions or what have you, you can't disagree with the fact that millions of people risk their lives and make huge sacrifices to fight for their country. This one day is our chance to reflect on this sacrifice and where it has brought us. Reflect, remember, appreciate. Can't go wrong, it seems to me. A day set aside for gratitude, how beautiful is that?
Think about it:
No presents.
No family obligations.
No elevated plane fares.
No expectations.
No extra-long church service.
A chance to see a a parade.
Lots of concerts.
Some stores actually close for the day.
No school.
Then again, for people with family members involved in war past or present or future, the day could be anxious or lonely or sad. For this I am sorry and I hope that the pride, reflection, singing, and staying-still of the rest of us will lend you some comfort and strength.
Blessings to all.
(OK I have to stop here and just say that it REALLY annoys me when my computer tells me my American spelling is wrong, and tries to change "favorite " to FavOUrite" and "color" to "colOUR" and so forth. Leave my American spelling alone, will ya! I am a good speller! Go correct something else! Correct the lousy weather, or the date of Thanksgiving, or something.
end of rant.)
ANYWAY, I think Veteran's Day is the perfect holiday because you can't argue with it. I mean, it seems to me that regardless of your philosophical views about war, or your political opinions or what have you, you can't disagree with the fact that millions of people risk their lives and make huge sacrifices to fight for their country. This one day is our chance to reflect on this sacrifice and where it has brought us. Reflect, remember, appreciate. Can't go wrong, it seems to me. A day set aside for gratitude, how beautiful is that?
Think about it:
No presents.
No family obligations.
No elevated plane fares.
No expectations.
No extra-long church service.
A chance to see a a parade.
Lots of concerts.
Some stores actually close for the day.
No school.
Then again, for people with family members involved in war past or present or future, the day could be anxious or lonely or sad. For this I am sorry and I hope that the pride, reflection, singing, and staying-still of the rest of us will lend you some comfort and strength.
Blessings to all.
Thursday, 22 September 2011
"I Believe", Revisited
When I first moved to Vancouver, I got a gig at a local club at Christmas time, as part of a group show, and was asked to sing an original holiday song. I said "okay" and then realized that I didn't have one. I agonized for awhile, then I remembered an old journaliam professor's words of wisdom: " K.I.S.S." "Keep It Simple, Stupid". I quicky came up with this very straighforward, simple song. My favorite line is the last one: Dona Nobis Pacem. Give Us Peace. Doesn't get any simpler than that. (obviously, I didn't write that! I just put it in my song.)
Punch line: I got bronchitis a few days before the gig, and had to cancel.
But I still play the song during the holiday season, for whoever's listening.
DONA NOBIS PACEM
AMEN
ALLELUIA
Punch line: I got bronchitis a few days before the gig, and had to cancel.
But I still play the song during the holiday season, for whoever's listening.
DONA NOBIS PACEM
AMEN
ALLELUIA
Saturday, 20 August 2011
Interview with Marion Walsh
"Song For My Father," is taking on a life of its own, which is a wonderful, beautiful thing. And there are questions, I know there are questions, so I am providing herewith for you an interview with Marion Walsh. I am both host and guest on this imaginary TV show with a worldwide audience.
(time on my hands today, can you tell?)
Q: Hello Marion, so glad you have you on our show.
A: I am honored to be here.
Q: We'll get to the specifics of "Song For My Father" later in the show, but first, the basics. Where you from?
A: I'm from Owings Mills, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore. My parents built the house we all grew up in. The land was in the family for four generations until recently, when my Dad passed away and we four siblings decided to sell the place. Ouch.
Q: What is it like there?
A: When I was a kid, it was mostly rural in all directions, but now you can barely find any grass at all along Reisterstown Road. It's malls and car dealerships and WalMart and Costco and ToysR Us, and really ugly But if you go out the other direction, into the Greenspring and Worthington Valleys, its still delightfully picturesque, lots of trees and fields and windy roads. I try to always go out that way if I have to go anywhere. It takes longer but it's oh so lovely.
Q: But you live in Canada now.
A: Yes.
Q: What brought you to Canada?
A: My husband got a job there. He's a dual citizen of Canada and the US.
Q: And how do you like Canada?
A: Canada is good. There are some really nice things about Canada.
Q: I sense a "but"coming...
A: Yes, Canada is a great country, but I am American, and I love my country and I miss my country. I mean, I know the US is having a of of huge problems right now, but does that make me love it any less? Of course not! I don't think the US is the best country in the world, I don't think there is such a thing, but it's my homeland and I love it. But I'm in Canada now, and that's good. Canada has a lot to offer, too. Just think- if I had not moved to Canada, I would not have written any of the songs I wrote there, and I would not have met the amazing friends that I have now.
Q: How do you know you would have not written all the songs? And how many songs are we talking about ?
A: My songs come from the heart, and my heart has been in Canada. If my heart was somewhere else, I suppose I might have written different songs, but I don't know. I think I needed to be here in order to create what I've created. Is that vague enough for you?
Oh, and two full CDs and a single, so 25 songs, plus a few more not recorded.
Q : Where do your songs come from?
A: I have to be in a certain headspace, then the songs flow pretty easily. If I try too hard, it doesn't work. I have to pay attention to my headspace and seize the moment.
Q: Can you tell me a little bit about the headspace?
A: Umm, sure. If I'm having a really good time, then I am not in songwriting mode. I write from a place of uncomfortableness, or melancholy, actually.
Q: You mean like depression?
A: No, not depression. I've had depression before and when I'm there, I can't write at all. I mean just melancholy, like so many of the old poets and whatnot. The blues, you know. Hey, even even Mother Theresa had the blues. Has the blues? I don't know, is she still alive?
Q: Did you study music as a child?
A: I took piano lessons from the age of 7 or 8 until I was maybe 13, when I decided piano was uncool and guitar was much cooler. Then I taught myself to play guitar using a Burl Ives songbook.
Q:Burl Ives?
A: Yup, Burl Ives, the old guy with a beard, folksinger. You are probably too young to remember Burl Ives. He had a "teach yourself to play guitar" book, so I did!
Q: No guitar lessons?
A I took guitar lessons my senior year of high school, classical guitar. It was interesting, but I didn't want to play classical guitar. Then I took lessons again in my 20s but only for a short time. I learned more just fiddling around on my own and using guitar books.
Q: Voice lessons?
A: I took voice lessons for a few months in college, because my voice was feeling strained. Didn't like it. Then again, same thing in my late 20s and again in my 30s each time for about two months. I kept getting horrendous coughs, bronchitis and such, and I was concerned that my vocal cords were getting damaged. Thankfully, they weren't. But I never really liked the voice lessons, never practiced or anything. So my voice is very much "au naturel" if you will.
Q: Well, Marion, this has all been very interesting. We have to take a commercial break and wen we come back, we'll talk more about your song "Song for My Father."
A: Okay.
(time on my hands today, can you tell?)
Q: Hello Marion, so glad you have you on our show.
A: I am honored to be here.
Q: We'll get to the specifics of "Song For My Father" later in the show, but first, the basics. Where you from?
A: I'm from Owings Mills, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore. My parents built the house we all grew up in. The land was in the family for four generations until recently, when my Dad passed away and we four siblings decided to sell the place. Ouch.
Q: What is it like there?
A: When I was a kid, it was mostly rural in all directions, but now you can barely find any grass at all along Reisterstown Road. It's malls and car dealerships and WalMart and Costco and ToysR Us, and really ugly But if you go out the other direction, into the Greenspring and Worthington Valleys, its still delightfully picturesque, lots of trees and fields and windy roads. I try to always go out that way if I have to go anywhere. It takes longer but it's oh so lovely.
Q: But you live in Canada now.
A: Yes.
Q: What brought you to Canada?
A: My husband got a job there. He's a dual citizen of Canada and the US.
Q: And how do you like Canada?
A: Canada is good. There are some really nice things about Canada.
Q: I sense a "but"coming...
A: Yes, Canada is a great country, but I am American, and I love my country and I miss my country. I mean, I know the US is having a of of huge problems right now, but does that make me love it any less? Of course not! I don't think the US is the best country in the world, I don't think there is such a thing, but it's my homeland and I love it. But I'm in Canada now, and that's good. Canada has a lot to offer, too. Just think- if I had not moved to Canada, I would not have written any of the songs I wrote there, and I would not have met the amazing friends that I have now.
Q: How do you know you would have not written all the songs? And how many songs are we talking about ?
A: My songs come from the heart, and my heart has been in Canada. If my heart was somewhere else, I suppose I might have written different songs, but I don't know. I think I needed to be here in order to create what I've created. Is that vague enough for you?
Oh, and two full CDs and a single, so 25 songs, plus a few more not recorded.
Q : Where do your songs come from?
A: I have to be in a certain headspace, then the songs flow pretty easily. If I try too hard, it doesn't work. I have to pay attention to my headspace and seize the moment.
Q: Can you tell me a little bit about the headspace?
A: Umm, sure. If I'm having a really good time, then I am not in songwriting mode. I write from a place of uncomfortableness, or melancholy, actually.
Q: You mean like depression?
A: No, not depression. I've had depression before and when I'm there, I can't write at all. I mean just melancholy, like so many of the old poets and whatnot. The blues, you know. Hey, even even Mother Theresa had the blues. Has the blues? I don't know, is she still alive?
Q: Did you study music as a child?
A: I took piano lessons from the age of 7 or 8 until I was maybe 13, when I decided piano was uncool and guitar was much cooler. Then I taught myself to play guitar using a Burl Ives songbook.
Q:Burl Ives?
A: Yup, Burl Ives, the old guy with a beard, folksinger. You are probably too young to remember Burl Ives. He had a "teach yourself to play guitar" book, so I did!
Q: No guitar lessons?
A I took guitar lessons my senior year of high school, classical guitar. It was interesting, but I didn't want to play classical guitar. Then I took lessons again in my 20s but only for a short time. I learned more just fiddling around on my own and using guitar books.
Q: Voice lessons?
A: I took voice lessons for a few months in college, because my voice was feeling strained. Didn't like it. Then again, same thing in my late 20s and again in my 30s each time for about two months. I kept getting horrendous coughs, bronchitis and such, and I was concerned that my vocal cords were getting damaged. Thankfully, they weren't. But I never really liked the voice lessons, never practiced or anything. So my voice is very much "au naturel" if you will.
Q: Well, Marion, this has all been very interesting. We have to take a commercial break and wen we come back, we'll talk more about your song "Song for My Father."
A: Okay.
Anniversary
I have no parents. Mom died in 2004, and now Dad has been dead exactly one year. What does this feel like? Honestly? It feels terribly strange. It feels dangly and disorienting. I feel like all of a sudden, I am an actual adult.
It's like I was bonked on the head or something. My whole world looks different. For one thing, when I think of family now, I look from side to side, and I look down. There is no more looking up. I'm at the top of the list now. No buffer, no bunker, no time for foolishness.
Being parentless has given me a new perspective. I have clarity, so much clarity. It's a miraculous thing, the crazybeautifulawful grief. When you're in the sadness, you can't feel the beauty, but when the grieving lets go, then oh! the crazy miraculous beauty!
I am in awe, every single day.
And I miss my parents, every single day.
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
About "Wouldn't Want to Be You"
This one I wrote while I was in a band for a short time with a middle aged divorced ex-yoga teacher who spent oodles and oodles of money on his kid who he barely ever saw. I'm telling you, that kid had every gadget that there was at that time (this was a number of years ago- 10?) and though I never met the little boy I had the sense that he was a lonely boy who just wanted to spend TIME with his dad. So there is some of that in the song and in general the song is about wanting things that don't make you happy, or giving things that nobody wants, or planning so much of your life that you forget to live it. I guess you could say it's a song about modern-day angst.
My favorite line of the song:
I'd give you the world if I could, if I could understand it, for you I would.
Which is an acknowledgment that I don't know a damn thing about how this crazy world works. I have no answers. I only write songs.
amen, alleluia, pass the sunscreen
My favorite line of the song:
I'd give you the world if I could, if I could understand it, for you I would.
Which is an acknowledgment that I don't know a damn thing about how this crazy world works. I have no answers. I only write songs.
amen, alleluia, pass the sunscreen
About "Remember"
There is not really a story behind this song. I just wrote it. But there is a little story ABOUT the song:
I used to have a my space page. I set up the page, posted some songs on it, one of which was "Remember." Then I forgot all about the page, didn't check it for like two years. When I checked it after all that time, it was only because I had decided to cancel the account. (simplifying my life, that whole deal) So I logged in and saw to my extreme surprise and pleasure that Jimmy Buffett was a fan of the song. THE Jimmy Buffett! As in, "wasting away again in Margaritaville" Jimmy Buffett! I've never been a big Parrothead, but even so, it's an honor to have him as a fan.
What did I do? Like a fool, I deleted my account, without thinking about what I was doing, which was losing my connection with Jimmy Buffett. I tried to get my account back so that I could get Jimmy back, but it didn't work. So I sent Mr. Buffett a letter on his my space page, all apologetic and obsequious, like oh Mr Buffett I know you don't know who I am but you are fan of my song "Remember" and you wanted to be a my space friend but I deleted my page, blah blah blah.
Needless to say I never heard from Mr Buffett. But I can say honestly that he liked one of my songs.
I used to have a my space page. I set up the page, posted some songs on it, one of which was "Remember." Then I forgot all about the page, didn't check it for like two years. When I checked it after all that time, it was only because I had decided to cancel the account. (simplifying my life, that whole deal) So I logged in and saw to my extreme surprise and pleasure that Jimmy Buffett was a fan of the song. THE Jimmy Buffett! As in, "wasting away again in Margaritaville" Jimmy Buffett! I've never been a big Parrothead, but even so, it's an honor to have him as a fan.
What did I do? Like a fool, I deleted my account, without thinking about what I was doing, which was losing my connection with Jimmy Buffett. I tried to get my account back so that I could get Jimmy back, but it didn't work. So I sent Mr. Buffett a letter on his my space page, all apologetic and obsequious, like oh Mr Buffett I know you don't know who I am but you are fan of my song "Remember" and you wanted to be a my space friend but I deleted my page, blah blah blah.
Needless to say I never heard from Mr Buffett. But I can say honestly that he liked one of my songs.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
About "Song For My Father"
How this song came to be:
The first two lines of this song actually came to me in a dream, in spring of 2010., In the dream, I was the opening act for Bob Dylan (!!), and I was on stage singing one of his songs. He was watching me. There were problems with the sound system, so I wasn't being heard, but I sang these lines:
On and on, on and on
Best before the day is done.
Those words and the melody (which is the exact melody in the song now) stayed with me after I woke up, and for days afterward. I kept singing the little tune in my head, and finally wrote it down for later use. Forgot about it.
Fast forward to July, 2010, when I got word that my father was ill with malignant melanoma. I had planned to go with my husband and baby son to visit my in-laws, but stayed back to be available for whatever might happen with Dad. I was alone for ten days, absorbing the news about my father. I had TIME!! I had SLEEP!! But mostly, I had sadness, and no place to put it. So I began to write a song for my father. I took out my notebook where I had jotted down the Bob Dylan dream song, changed the word "best" to "rest", and the verses followed smoothly after that. It was a quick birth.
But I couldn't finish the song. I knew it wasn't finished, but I couldn't see how to end it. It needed a bridge, and one more verse. Then I went home to Baltimore, where I had the great privilege of being with Dad as he lay dying. I played the song for him, in its unfinished form. He smiled from his bed as I played and sang. I did not see the smile, as I was on the wrong side of the bed to see it, but my sisters told me it was there. So I played it for him again, and again, and again. And after he died, I finished it.
And that is how the song was born.
May we all be blessed with a death, and a life, as graceful and dignified as his.
peace to all.
The first two lines of this song actually came to me in a dream, in spring of 2010., In the dream, I was the opening act for Bob Dylan (!!), and I was on stage singing one of his songs. He was watching me. There were problems with the sound system, so I wasn't being heard, but I sang these lines:
On and on, on and on
Best before the day is done.
Those words and the melody (which is the exact melody in the song now) stayed with me after I woke up, and for days afterward. I kept singing the little tune in my head, and finally wrote it down for later use. Forgot about it.
Fast forward to July, 2010, when I got word that my father was ill with malignant melanoma. I had planned to go with my husband and baby son to visit my in-laws, but stayed back to be available for whatever might happen with Dad. I was alone for ten days, absorbing the news about my father. I had TIME!! I had SLEEP!! But mostly, I had sadness, and no place to put it. So I began to write a song for my father. I took out my notebook where I had jotted down the Bob Dylan dream song, changed the word "best" to "rest", and the verses followed smoothly after that. It was a quick birth.
But I couldn't finish the song. I knew it wasn't finished, but I couldn't see how to end it. It needed a bridge, and one more verse. Then I went home to Baltimore, where I had the great privilege of being with Dad as he lay dying. I played the song for him, in its unfinished form. He smiled from his bed as I played and sang. I did not see the smile, as I was on the wrong side of the bed to see it, but my sisters told me it was there. So I played it for him again, and again, and again. And after he died, I finished it.
And that is how the song was born.
May we all be blessed with a death, and a life, as graceful and dignified as his.
peace to all.
Thursday, 9 June 2011
About "Sing Your Blues Away"
This song feels like a scrap paper collage to me. It came from little bits and pieces of songs that I couldn't figure out what to do with. What I remember thinking about while I was putting it together is that everyone gets the blues, life stinks sometimes, but if you can sing your heart out, then all the pain that is in your heart has an exit, and you might feel better from it.
ABOUT "When the Water Calls"
There are two kinds of people: water people and land people. I belong firmly in the latter category. A swimming pool on a Baltimore-hot summer day, yes, of course, I'll go in, but other than that, I'll keep my two feet on the ground, thank you very much.
Sitting lakeside is lovely. And there is nothing quite so invigorating as a long walk on the beach. But don't expect me to get wet. And don't even THINK about throwing me in.
Anyway, this is all ironic considering I live in a small town on the water. I look out my window and see the beautiful water, but feel very ho hum about it. I don't feel any sort of connectedness or serenity when I look at a vast body of water, here or anywhere. I know it's pretty, but I don't FEEL it. It does not "call" me. The Rocky Mountains, I feel. The stark beauty of the desert, I feel. It calls me, it moves me. But I am not a water person and that is the way my heart is and that is that!
To quote the song:
"Me, I don't like swimming, I never do get wet
And if the water's calling me, I have not heard her yet
But take me to the desert, that's where I hear my song
That's where I've done my dancing all along."
So that is what this song is about, but even moreso it's about the imprtance of answering your call, whatever it is.
"You know some folks like the water, and some folks like the land
others like the great indoors, it's what they understand
whatever blows your hair back, you've got to let it blow
just make sure you're dancing when you go."
Amen.
Alleluia.
Sitting lakeside is lovely. And there is nothing quite so invigorating as a long walk on the beach. But don't expect me to get wet. And don't even THINK about throwing me in.
Anyway, this is all ironic considering I live in a small town on the water. I look out my window and see the beautiful water, but feel very ho hum about it. I don't feel any sort of connectedness or serenity when I look at a vast body of water, here or anywhere. I know it's pretty, but I don't FEEL it. It does not "call" me. The Rocky Mountains, I feel. The stark beauty of the desert, I feel. It calls me, it moves me. But I am not a water person and that is the way my heart is and that is that!
To quote the song:
"Me, I don't like swimming, I never do get wet
And if the water's calling me, I have not heard her yet
But take me to the desert, that's where I hear my song
That's where I've done my dancing all along."
So that is what this song is about, but even moreso it's about the imprtance of answering your call, whatever it is.
"You know some folks like the water, and some folks like the land
others like the great indoors, it's what they understand
whatever blows your hair back, you've got to let it blow
just make sure you're dancing when you go."
Amen.
Alleluia.
Thursday, 2 June 2011
About "Since You Never Asked Me"
I surprised myself with this song. I don't remember where the idea for it came from, I only remember writing it and thinking "Hey! I am writing a blues song!"
I can't claim to be a blues musician, would never call myself that. But Lord knows, I can feel the blues. So maybe that means something I don't know. But I do know that people really like this song. All sorts of suggestions have been made about which famous person should sing it. Most commonly mentioned is Bonne Raitt. To that I say, well, she has plenty of good material, but if whe ever wants to sing this or any of my songs, I would be more than okay with that!
I have a friend who met Bonnie Raitt and says she is a very kind and good person. All the better. I like the idea of a kind and good person singing a song that I wrote.
I can't claim to be a blues musician, would never call myself that. But Lord knows, I can feel the blues. So maybe that means something I don't know. But I do know that people really like this song. All sorts of suggestions have been made about which famous person should sing it. Most commonly mentioned is Bonne Raitt. To that I say, well, she has plenty of good material, but if whe ever wants to sing this or any of my songs, I would be more than okay with that!
I have a friend who met Bonnie Raitt and says she is a very kind and good person. All the better. I like the idea of a kind and good person singing a song that I wrote.
Sunday, 29 May 2011
About "Sometimes A Girl's Gotta Put Herself First"
I wanted to write a country song, so I did.
The end.
The end.
About "Without You, My Home is Just a House"
I like this song! I always liked it, even though it took me a really long time to finish. When it was finally done, I played it for a close friend, who said the though it was really sad. I didn't think it was sad. I didn't intend for it to be sad. But I put it away for a while for safe keeping, just in case it was sad and I couldn't see it. I have nothing against sad songs, in fact, I quite like them most of the time. But this song was not supposed to be sad.
So, it came time to record "Early" and I needed another song or two, so I took it out, dusted it off, dressed it up a bit, and voila! Maybe it is still sad for some ears, but that's okay. I enjoy the sweet sentiment of it. To me it sounds like spring.
So, it came time to record "Early" and I needed another song or two, so I took it out, dusted it off, dressed it up a bit, and voila! Maybe it is still sad for some ears, but that's okay. I enjoy the sweet sentiment of it. To me it sounds like spring.
About "I Believe"
When I first moved to Vancouver, I got a gig at a local club at Christmas time, as part of a group show, and was asked to sing an original holiday song. I said "okay" and then wondered what I had just agreed to. After many stops and starts, I remembered an old journaliam professor's words of wisdom " K.I.S.S." "Keep It Simple, Stupid". So I ripped up my complicated, hard-in-coming first attempts and came up with this very straighforward, simple song. My favorite line is the last one: Dona Nobis Pacem. Give Us Peace. Doesn't get any simpler than that. (obviously, I didn't write that! I just put it in my song.)
Punch line: I got bronchitis a few days before the gig, and had to cancel.
But I still play the song during the holiday season, for whoever's listening.
Punch line: I got bronchitis a few days before the gig, and had to cancel.
But I still play the song during the holiday season, for whoever's listening.
Saturday, 14 May 2011
About "Hills Afire"
"Hills Afire" was written during an extended trip across the mighty United States of America. We (my husband and I, and our two dogs) spent some time in western Massachusetts, in the lovely Berkshire Mountains. One day I took the dogs for a walk along a trail that overlooked a beautiful valley. It was spring at the time, but having spent a decade in New England, I could so clearly imagine that valley in the fall, achingly ablaze with color. The song is an attempt to capture the beauty, and the melancholy, of autumn in New England. I think it would be a good song for a road trip. Every time I hear it, I picture myself in a car on a highway, with an old friend.
About "Early"
"Early" is the cover song for my second CD. The song is all about the loveliness of the early morning. I've always been an early riser.
The song was written in Yellowstone National Park, at about 5 a.m. I was wide awake and full of gratitude. My two dogs were at my feet. The sun was rising. It was totally beautiful.
At the time, I had no children. The verses about watching a sleeping boy and being amazed at the sight of a baby girl were not from direct experience. Now I have a young son, and I do watch him sleep. The miracle of that, the miracle of the sunrise, it's all too much for words.
The song was written in Yellowstone National Park, at about 5 a.m. I was wide awake and full of gratitude. My two dogs were at my feet. The sun was rising. It was totally beautiful.
At the time, I had no children. The verses about watching a sleeping boy and being amazed at the sight of a baby girl were not from direct experience. Now I have a young son, and I do watch him sleep. The miracle of that, the miracle of the sunrise, it's all too much for words.
Monday, 9 May 2011
ABOUT "STAY WITH ME TONIGHT"
This song wasn't always so Norah-Jones-y. It began as a plea, a prayer, a desperate rain dance.
I live in Vancouver, Canada. It rains a lot here. I'm not from here, so I am not used to the rain. It depresses me. Of all the places I could have chosen to live, I picked the one that presses all my buttons, that drives me mad, that challenges me beyond measure. Every winter, when the rains start, I brace myself for a battle, and the battle comes, and I fight it with everything I have. And when it's over, I feel victorious, triumphant, and exhausted.
But all that is for another post. Let's get back to the song.
I wrote it as the incessant rains were pouring, pouring, pouring from the sky. I was depressed. But I liked the song. Writing it made me feel better. Plus, I wrote it on piano, which was a first for me. But it was really personal, intensely so. So I changed the words a little bit when it came time to record. I didn't want to sing my depression song in any permanent way. Why give the monster such a long life?
If you listen to the song in this context, it's a whole different thing than it is now in its Norah Jones-y version. Mostly I just changed the last line in every verse, from something like "I need the sun to come out" to "stay with me tonight." For example:
Crying, oh Lord I'm crying
can't see the river for to cross
even though I'm trying
the curtains are all open
and I'm wishing and I'm hoping
for a little sun and little shine and a little time - old words, changed to
that I'll be alright and you'll stay with me tonight - new words
in this verse, the curtains being open, and the crying, were literal. While I was writing the song, I cried a lot - depression will do that - and I literally opened all the curtains, to let in any bit of light that might be able to come in. And I stood by the open windows and I looked out at the rain and I prayed for it to stop. It didn't stop. Not that night or the next night or the night after that. It stopped much later, when it was good and ready. I don't think my prayers had anything to do with it.
So that's the story of "Stay with me Tonight", which formerly had another title which I have since forgotten.
I live in Vancouver, Canada. It rains a lot here. I'm not from here, so I am not used to the rain. It depresses me. Of all the places I could have chosen to live, I picked the one that presses all my buttons, that drives me mad, that challenges me beyond measure. Every winter, when the rains start, I brace myself for a battle, and the battle comes, and I fight it with everything I have. And when it's over, I feel victorious, triumphant, and exhausted.
But all that is for another post. Let's get back to the song.
I wrote it as the incessant rains were pouring, pouring, pouring from the sky. I was depressed. But I liked the song. Writing it made me feel better. Plus, I wrote it on piano, which was a first for me. But it was really personal, intensely so. So I changed the words a little bit when it came time to record. I didn't want to sing my depression song in any permanent way. Why give the monster such a long life?
If you listen to the song in this context, it's a whole different thing than it is now in its Norah Jones-y version. Mostly I just changed the last line in every verse, from something like "I need the sun to come out" to "stay with me tonight." For example:
Crying, oh Lord I'm crying
can't see the river for to cross
even though I'm trying
the curtains are all open
and I'm wishing and I'm hoping
for a little sun and little shine and a little time - old words, changed to
that I'll be alright and you'll stay with me tonight - new words
in this verse, the curtains being open, and the crying, were literal. While I was writing the song, I cried a lot - depression will do that - and I literally opened all the curtains, to let in any bit of light that might be able to come in. And I stood by the open windows and I looked out at the rain and I prayed for it to stop. It didn't stop. Not that night or the next night or the night after that. It stopped much later, when it was good and ready. I don't think my prayers had anything to do with it.
So that's the story of "Stay with me Tonight", which formerly had another title which I have since forgotten.
Monday, 2 May 2011
HOW I ARRANGE MY SONGS
I was recently asked how I "arrange" my songs. An excellent question which I will attempt to answer as succinctly at possible in this posting.
I write songs for myself. There really isn't any arrangement involved, other than arranging the verses in the right order, or switching a line from here to there, things like that. I'm generally a solo act, so I don't need anything arranged. The arrangements you hear on the CDs happen in the studio, when I have the the brilliance of others to draw upon.
Generally what happens is that when I have a song I think is ready to record, I go into the studio with the typed-up lyrics and my guitar. I'm always happy in the studio. Always. I play the song for the producer (on "Home to Home," Ted Tosoff; on "Early" and for my dad's song, Tyler Pearson). I play through the song a few times and the producer gives me his thoughts on the songs. In most cases the lyrics are left pretty much untouched.
Ted and Tyler are brilliant producers and arrangers of songs. This means in my case that they can take my solo, singer/songwriter version of the song, and suggest other instruments and sounds that might make my little song into a big song. They make suggestions like "if we put mandolin in the second verse, then it might be nice to add a solo verse afterwards, before you come in with the chorus for the second time."
I have veto power, but usually I agree with them. Their ideas are generally far better than anything I could come up with in terms of production. I trust myself with the lyrics, melody and vocal harmonies. Anything else, I want help with.
Vocal arrangements are generally left up to me. I have a knack for hearing harmonies, so once the lead vocal track is laid down, then I get to do what I love most. I sing, then sing again, and again, and again, a different part each time, all blending together so deliciously. Few things please me more than hearing good harmonies. The vocal harmonies usually get recorded last, after all the instrument parts are on the track, and after the lead vocal is laid down. I have to wait to do what I love most, but the reward is oh so sweet.
In the studio, there is usually a chart written, with time signature and chords, for the other musicians to follow. I don't make the charts. I don't read them either. I don't need to! I made the songs! They're in my head!
The vocal harmonies are not on a chart anywhere. They all come straight from my heart and I never write them down. That would be very un-fun for me!
Did I answer your question?
I write songs for myself. There really isn't any arrangement involved, other than arranging the verses in the right order, or switching a line from here to there, things like that. I'm generally a solo act, so I don't need anything arranged. The arrangements you hear on the CDs happen in the studio, when I have the the brilliance of others to draw upon.
Generally what happens is that when I have a song I think is ready to record, I go into the studio with the typed-up lyrics and my guitar. I'm always happy in the studio. Always. I play the song for the producer (on "Home to Home," Ted Tosoff; on "Early" and for my dad's song, Tyler Pearson). I play through the song a few times and the producer gives me his thoughts on the songs. In most cases the lyrics are left pretty much untouched.
Ted and Tyler are brilliant producers and arrangers of songs. This means in my case that they can take my solo, singer/songwriter version of the song, and suggest other instruments and sounds that might make my little song into a big song. They make suggestions like "if we put mandolin in the second verse, then it might be nice to add a solo verse afterwards, before you come in with the chorus for the second time."
I have veto power, but usually I agree with them. Their ideas are generally far better than anything I could come up with in terms of production. I trust myself with the lyrics, melody and vocal harmonies. Anything else, I want help with.
Vocal arrangements are generally left up to me. I have a knack for hearing harmonies, so once the lead vocal track is laid down, then I get to do what I love most. I sing, then sing again, and again, and again, a different part each time, all blending together so deliciously. Few things please me more than hearing good harmonies. The vocal harmonies usually get recorded last, after all the instrument parts are on the track, and after the lead vocal is laid down. I have to wait to do what I love most, but the reward is oh so sweet.
In the studio, there is usually a chart written, with time signature and chords, for the other musicians to follow. I don't make the charts. I don't read them either. I don't need to! I made the songs! They're in my head!
The vocal harmonies are not on a chart anywhere. They all come straight from my heart and I never write them down. That would be very un-fun for me!
Did I answer your question?
MOTHER'S DAY
It's almost Mother's Day. Today as I was swimming laps, I thought of all the things my mother was right about. It turns out that she was right most of the time. If only I had listened!
Things my mother said that were right:
"Things have a way of working out."
"Pretty is as pretty does."
"You have to eat a peck of dirt before you die."
Things my mother said that I love:
after a good meal: "That's the best thing I ever put in my mouth."
when taken by surprise: "Great Caesar's ghost!"
on the first day of school: "School days, school days."
to be continued...
I would love to hear some of the things YOUR mother said that were right, wrong, or otherwise memorable!
Things my mother said that were right:
"Things have a way of working out."
"Pretty is as pretty does."
"You have to eat a peck of dirt before you die."
Things my mother said that I love:
after a good meal: "That's the best thing I ever put in my mouth."
when taken by surprise: "Great Caesar's ghost!"
on the first day of school: "School days, school days."
to be continued...
I would love to hear some of the things YOUR mother said that were right, wrong, or otherwise memorable!
ABOUT "END OF THE NIGHT"
The song "End of the Night", recorded on my CD "Home to Home", was the first song I ever wrote. I wrote it a long time ago. Here's the story of how it came to be:
I was coming home from an event in Boston with a friend, and the friend was upset with himself for not connecting with someone he had hoped to connect with at said function. It was late. I was tired. I said to him "Don't worry, it's not the end of the world, it's only the end of the night."
He said something like "You are right! And what you just said would make a great song. Why don't you write a song about it?"
To which I replied, more or less, "But I don't know how to write a song."
And so then I worked and worked and worked at writing a song. And I wrote one, word by agonizing word. But it was just a little song. The aforementioned friend, whose name is lloyd Thayer, and who is a brilliant songwriter, helped me in a few parts where I was really stuck. You'll see that he is listed as a co-writer on the song. The best lines are his! But the tune is all from my head.
So now the song is done, and all these years later, I still quote myself! If I find myself fretting over something, I just say to myself "it's not the end of the world, it's only the end of the night" or "nobody died from this" or something like that.
And that's how my first song was born. It's all grown up now, living quietly on a CD.
I was coming home from an event in Boston with a friend, and the friend was upset with himself for not connecting with someone he had hoped to connect with at said function. It was late. I was tired. I said to him "Don't worry, it's not the end of the world, it's only the end of the night."
He said something like "You are right! And what you just said would make a great song. Why don't you write a song about it?"
To which I replied, more or less, "But I don't know how to write a song."
And so then I worked and worked and worked at writing a song. And I wrote one, word by agonizing word. But it was just a little song. The aforementioned friend, whose name is lloyd Thayer, and who is a brilliant songwriter, helped me in a few parts where I was really stuck. You'll see that he is listed as a co-writer on the song. The best lines are his! But the tune is all from my head.
So now the song is done, and all these years later, I still quote myself! If I find myself fretting over something, I just say to myself "it's not the end of the world, it's only the end of the night" or "nobody died from this" or something like that.
And that's how my first song was born. It's all grown up now, living quietly on a CD.
Saturday, 30 April 2011
ABOUT "SONG FOR MY FATHER"
How this song came to be:
The first two lines of this song actually came to me in a dream. In the dream, I was the opening act for Bob Dylan (!!), and I was on stage singing one of his songs. He was watching me. There were problems with the sound system, so I wasn't being heard, but I sang these lines:
On and on, on and on
Best before the day is done.
Those words and the melody (which is the exact melody in the song now) stayed with me after I woke up, and for days afterward. I kept singing the little tune in my head, and finally wrote it down for later use. Forgot about it.
A few months later, when I got word that my father was ill with malignant melanoma, I took out my notebook where I had jotted down the Bob Dylan dream song, changed the word "best" to "rest", and the verses followed smoothly after that. It was a quick birth.
But I couldn't finish the song. I knew it wasn't finished, but I couldn't see how to end it. It needed a bridge, and one more verse. Then I went home to Baltimore, where I had the great privilege of being with Dad as he lay dying. I played the song for him, in its unfinished form. He smiled from his bed as I played and sang. I did not see the smile, as I was on the wrong side of the bed to see it, but my sisters told me it was there. So I played it for him again, and again, and again. And after he died, I finished it.
And that is how the song was born.
May we all be blessed with a death, and a life, as graceful and dignified as his.
peace to all.
Thursday, 28 April 2011
WHAT THIS BLOG IS NOT ABOUT
This blog is not about being a full-time mom, being an older mom, being an adoptive mom, or a mom with dogs or a mom who hates housekeeping. You won't find any recipes here, or any travel tips or advice about taking care of aging parents. And you most certainly will not get any fashion advice!
( One of the things I know least about in this world is how to dress. I blame it on having to wear a uniform for six years. Every day, the same thing, only in different sizes. It was really pretty handy: wake up, throw on a clean uniform, and out you go into your little world, where everyone else wears the same thing as you.)
Anyway, getting back to the point, you probably won't learn anything at all here on this blog. And maybe that'll be the beauty of it. I can hardly wait to find out...
( One of the things I know least about in this world is how to dress. I blame it on having to wear a uniform for six years. Every day, the same thing, only in different sizes. It was really pretty handy: wake up, throw on a clean uniform, and out you go into your little world, where everyone else wears the same thing as you.)
Anyway, getting back to the point, you probably won't learn anything at all here on this blog. And maybe that'll be the beauty of it. I can hardly wait to find out...
VIRGIN BLOGGER
I am a virgin blogger. I have never even seen a blog, much less written one. I suppose it's a bit like writing a song without ever having heard one, which I don't even know is possible. To be honest, I am not all that sure why I am doing this. All I can say in my own defense is that it seemed like a good idea at the time I thought it. It seemed like a good way to get out of my own head, have some fun and to answer some questions that I am often asked about my music.
I'll start by choosing some of my songs and explaining how they came to be. If anyone out there has questions about any of my songs, about me, or about anything at all, go for it.
Let the games begin.
My virgin bloggedness has hereby ended.
I'll start by choosing some of my songs and explaining how they came to be. If anyone out there has questions about any of my songs, about me, or about anything at all, go for it.
Let the games begin.
My virgin bloggedness has hereby ended.
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