For over six years I have been writing and composing my own material. I've always loved lyrics, and in the past, I have toyed with new words to familiar songs and poems. As an old "folkie" and rock and roller, I can't say I have a particular musical style or genre, but at this point in my life it seems important to put down whatever comes to me. That includes a range from the silly to the sublime in topics, and a hopeful goal of songs that are both simple and profound. At some point in the near future I'll have a CD available, but for now, here's a few samples that I've included some story and lyrics with chords. These were simply recorded on my little digital recorder:
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At the end of 2008 this song was inspired by a simple invitation to sing a song at a service for Compassionate Friends. It's a support group for parents who have lost children. I thought about the Kenny Chesney song they asked for called "Who You'd Be Today" and was willing to learn it when this other song just came out. I have lost loved ones in my life , but not my children, and somehow this came through. It's called "You Will Always Be Right Here".
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You Will Always Be Right Here | 
You Will Always Be Right Here |
I started 2008 with a new song, "Every Time You Pass This Way" inspired by my openeng at a house concert for Bill Staines. Over the last five years I've met many real life troubadors like Bill and hat ave marveled how some maintain home relationships inspite of their itinerant life. This song is written from the perspective of the spouse who's happy to remain behind and still pursue art and personal fulfillment. Might ultimately be suitable for a duet.
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Every Time You Pass This Way |
Every Time You Pass This Way |
The idea for the first song in my late life venture into songwriting came from an episode of "ER" where a doctor dying of brain cancer is asked by his teenage daughter "What am I supposed to do?" The simple response became the title "Just Be Gen'rous".
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Just Be Gen'rous |
Just Be Gen'rous |
I was noodling on the guitar playing an E (D position) capo'd up 2 frets, but only barring the 5 high strings and leaving the low E string open, and came up with a nice little waltz melody. Realizing that real longterm relationships are based on persistence more than perfection, this became a 20th anniversary song: "I'd Do It all Over With You".
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I'd Do It All Over With You |
I'd Do It All Over With You |
A few years ago, I recorded "She's Not The Only One", and wanting to play it at a California Coast Music Camp. I e-mailed an MP3 copy to teacher Keith Little (mandolin) and to camper friend Holly Thuman (bass) and asked them to sing and play with me at the student concert. This was our first practice, with a little one inch mic laying on a table between us.We had so much fun harmonizing we even "barbershopped" the ending.
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She's Not The Only One |
She's Not The Only One |
After attending an open mic in Marin and seeing a guy play a great guitar rag, I thought I'd like to try to compose one of my own. I found a weird blues note move on my guitar with a Scott Joplin feel and it inspired this tune about my love of open mics. It became the "Pickin' Shoe Rag"
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Pickin' Shoe Rag |
Pickin' Shoe Rag |
I had a phrase which came to mind "There is a well which feeds the fountain..." and as I began to write "The Fountain", it transformed into a flowing circular song about love and happiness returning through the outpouring of sorrow. I played it for a "water" ceremony at a local Unitarian church and some were moved to tears.
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The Fountain |
The Fountain |
I had the privilege of playing several times at a local RSI church which encouraged local musicians and only requested that I play positive upbeat music. After playing there several times and using most of my secular and irreverent material, I figured I owed them a hymn. It's based on the notion of spiritual self reliance and is called "All That Is Asked For"
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All That Is Asked For |
All That Is Asked For |
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