Rose
Story behind the piece:
The Kurdish prisoner of conscience going by the pseudonym Iskan Acikca wrote this
poem in Turkish especially for his English correspondent, a 90 year old lady called
Theo, who specialised in writing to those in need. She translated the poem and, with
a few alterations, I set it to music. I still do not know whether “Iskan” has heard
the setting.
I believe he is now in Germany, following his release from the Turkish prison ...
There is a rose in my garden....
Ludhe sing tishu
Story behind the piece:
Parody of the old English canon "Sumer is i-cumen in, ludhe sing cuccu".In this version
the sufferers of hayfever are the stars of the show and their sneezes give the sound
engineer his greatest challenges!
Lookin' just lookin' in the personal ads
(video)
Story behind the piece:
Lookin' just lookin' is a humorous look at the personal "lonely hearts" ads, although
the composer invented the actual adverts in this song, to avoid possible late-night
phone calls! The personalities advertising for the loves of their lives in this song
range in age from 24 to 92, they are all very genuine people, please don't hurt their
feelings as you snigger!
Judas
Story behind the piece:
Poem by Audrey Vaughan - Judas may have thought these thoughts after all was done....
Greek Wassail
Story behind the piece:
A silly little poem about unthinking much-drinking tourists visiting Greece and leaving
their bottles on the beach...
..using the 7/4 rhythms of Greek dances
An Exmas Carol
Story behind the piece:
The guitar part plays 'Oh little Town of Bethlehem' while the voice sings a lament
about how we have forgotten the message of peace that Christmas is supposed to bring
- written in 1984 after singing 'Oh little Town' once too often!
New Troubadour Blues
(Video on YouTube)
Story behind the piece:
A song about writer's block. There I was waiting for my next gig at the "New Troubadours"
in Manchester and trying to work on a new song to perform.This was the result. It's
not a Blues, though it uses some of the Blues ideas. It's just a spoof. I hope you
will enjoy it in the humour in which it is intended!
Habirandosan No Haiku
Story behind the piece:
Haikus by Mark Haviland using various Japanese scales (in Westernised form!).
Christmas Song
Story behind the piece:
Poem by Audrey Vaughan - the message of Christmas found in the simplicity of the
Christ child.
Beetles' Wings
Story behind the piece:
Poem by Audrey Vaughan - finding God through nature.
(CD of Songs of Solomons version for for alto and piano)