This time Joe had chosen Will it go round in Circles by Billy Preston (1972), for our Song Challenge. It is a song with unique mix of gospel, soul and funk. The lyrics are about love, perseverance, and the cyclical patterns of life (“Will it go round in circles? Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky?”) (more…)
This time Richard chose Wellerman for our Song Challenge on Singeo. It’s a 19th-century whaling song originating from New Zealand, where it emerged between 1860 and 1870 during the height of the whaling industry. What? Whaling industry? No way I’m going to glorify that industry with this song I thought, let’s skip it. The fact that Iceland announced last week resuming commercial whaling after a years-long pause, has strengthened my resolve to write a protest song based on ‘Wellerman’ : Roam and Grow – a song for the whales. (More details about creation of Roam and Grow) (more…)
My cover of The River of Dreams by Billy Joel (1993, album River of Dreams). It was chosen by Sue in our Fortnight Song Challenge. I wasn’t familiar with the song, but it turned out to be a really enjoyable challenge to unravel its different elements and discover how ingeniously it is put together in terms of rhythm, dynamics, and layering. (more…)
Here’s my cover of Come Away With Me (Norah Jones, album Come Away With Me, 2002). Come Away With Me is an intimate, soft, and very minimalistic love song that revolves around escape and a sense of safety and comfort. It was the collaboration song on Singeo.com this month. (more…)
My cover of My Funny Valentine (written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart). I’ve chosen the version of Herbie Hancock (album Gershwin’s World 1998) with Sting on vocals. I love Hancock’s music and it was the best fit for my voice. It was Matt’s choice for our Song Challenge. (more…)