information about songs I have published

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I was coming home from Greenwich last night and walked along the river a bit, just as the sun was going down. People were sitting on benches, enjoying the  the river and the lights of Canary Wharf in the middle of the shot.

SONG OF THE DAY  Happy Together -The Turtles

I love this song. It’s in one of my song books. The original is still the best! Kaylan and Volman who were The Turtles  did loads of other projects including singing backing vocals on several recordings by T.Rex , including Bang a Gong and vocals for Alice Cooper!

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Just after I took this photo a little gust of wind took all the seed heads off this beautiful dandelion  They danced across the landscape. The dandelion head was a shell of its former self.  A few minutes later the sun was gone, and  the light all slowly seeped away . Today is a day for making sure I appreciate everything as it is RIGHT NOW, as you never know when a gust of wind might come and change it all.

SONG OF THE DAY  The Rolling Stones -Paint it Black

I was just a bit too young to get into the Stones the first time. I heard 2 friends do this as  an acoustic number at our club, and realised I had never heard the words before so I then arranged it for acapella. It was the top song in the  choir poll for a while. Here is a version beautifully sung by Earthly Voices  CLICK HERE in the summer of 2009 (LIVE!),  you can really hear the words, and then listen to the original !

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I went and helped out with a little bit of  harmony singing with the fab Gravel Theatre  Company,who were rehearsing down at The Old Red Lion ( na na na na na…oops sorry that’s the old bull and bush) at the Angel. They are rehearsing for their  show NIMBY  –  a new comedy that explores what happens when people have to chose between their morals and their quality  of life. ( 18th -25th June Old Red Lion, Angel) I tell you what, if their acting is as good as their singing, and I am assuming it is  even bette, as they are actors after all…. it is going to be a cracking show. I have my comps for helping out, and as it is the smallest theatre in the land, I would   get your tickets soon, it is well worth going along. I remember from Mr P’s many years in fringe theatre, you have to support the fringe BIG TIME. It is where all the real freshness and innovation is…most things are usually past their best by the time they get anywhere near  ‘Up West’.

the cast

The cast, Daniel Curtis, Kate Sichel, Ciaran Dowd, Louise Torres-Ryan, Laura Dalgleish, Ryan O’Donnell are brilliant, and are singing a few of bits of  vocal arrangements from my books between scenes. I had a lot of fun doing a vocal warm ups and sorting out some  vocal stuff for them…woops I have another job I remember I have to do. So good luck chaps.  I am really looking forward to seeing the show.

SONG OF THE DAY They use this song in their show…must sort out the harmonies..

Nothing Changes – Anais Mitchell featuring the Haden Triplets

I posted another song from this album. Hadestown a couple of days ago…rather fine.

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Singing for the Red Cross

Last Friday some of the Bishopsgate Singers once again
took a turn to the City to once again help raise funds for the Red Cross. Much better weather than the last time we sung, check out the difference in our apparel.

Wrapped Up!

In December we sang for the Red Cross in Leadenhall Market in the City of London and it was fureezing -much to the dismay of the City workers trying to enjoy a quiet pint and a fag outside a couple of hostelries. We raised a few squids for the Red Cross who need  all the help they can get, and every little gesture helps.
This time we sang near Spitalfields Market. Sadly most people just run by, much too busy to listen or to donate, thank goodness Angela’s family  and a couple of partners were there  applauding our efforts. I suppose we should be grateful no-one threw anything at us. It was great fun and gave us a chance to see how much of last term’s repertoire we had remembered…sounded pretty good to me.   New term starts tonight…yippppeeee!

SONG OF THE DAY – I Want You Back -Jackson Five

Yup We are doing this tonight in choir…ha ha