Archive: Aug 2012

1. Walk a little slower – A Song Which Tugs the Heartstrings

   August 30, 2012 9:02 pm Leave a Comment

   Like many of you, I love listening to music, I have quite an eclectic taste from classical through to Country and Rock music. I not only listen to the tunes and melodies but the lyrics in particular as well as the voices which when I am lucky enough to hear a fantastic voice they tend to seep into me sometimes like a soft breeze through the spring flowers.

   There are many song lyrics that people listen to and think, ‘yes! I can relate to that,’ for me one of the main artists that I have found where I relate to their lyrics recently is Scott Evan Davis. Many of his songs, Walk a Little Slower, I Am , Cautiously Optimistic and He’s Perfect, I find myself taking a deep breath because Scott’s music has stolen it.

   Scott’s album Cautiously Optimistic (produced by soniclandscapes, NYC) was featured in the recent An Evening with the Composers concert in London which was produced by SimG Productions and contains the most beautiful, funny and heart-wrenching music that I have heard in a long time. As I have mentioned before SimG are the biggest supporters of new writers as far as I am aware and always seem to find amazing talent. They have certainly found astounding talent in Scott Evan Davis as not only does he write amazing musical arrangements, lyrics and fabulous musicals, he also has a gorgeously stunning singing voice. Before you ask, no, I did not get paid to say that! It is just the truth as I see it!!

   As I sat and listened to Walk a Little Slower; which seems everywhere lately! I have heard it on YouTube, on the Radio and in my car, not only did the soaring, gorgeous voices of Joshua Dixon and Faith Prince strike me as especially Josh’s voice has many times lately, but also the lyrics seem to just swirl around my head and heart. When I watch it on YouTube, I am unable to tear my eyes away from the love and affection that Joshua puts into the song and his glorious voice which just seeps further into my soul. (more…)

2. Bob Gould – My Land’s Shore

   August 29, 2012 10:55 pm Leave a Comment

   I’ve always loved music especially musical theatre since I was a teenager. I always wanted to write but after I graduated and got into teaching I never had the time to write so I let it drift.

   I taught history for almost 20 years although I kept my passion for musicals but never really did any writing. I had to quit teaching due toa breakdown which actually turned into a blessing in disguise. When I started to feel better, I found I had the time to write! Of course I had to find composers to collaborate with, luckily at the time I started writing seriously, there was this thing called the internet!I wrote my first musical with a composer named Ty Kroll from Wisconsin! (All via email!)

   You wrote a whole musical via email?!

   Yes, actually we wrote 3 musicals via email! I flew over to Madison, Wisconsin in 2002 for a concert of some of our songs, then again for a workshop production of our musical ALONE in 2003.

   How difficult was it to write via email? Were there many disagreements or differences of opinions?

   Not really any serious disagreements, maybe the internet helps that, if you can’t talk face to face it’s harder to quarrel. We found it worked well for us; the wonders of technology make it so easy to send text and music via email. I’ve worked with about 30 composers since then, writing songs mainly via email. In the last few years though I’ve worked mainly with two brilliant young songwriters and we do actually meet in person a lot although a lot of the writing still takes place via email.

   You are a part of Without a Paddle Theatre (more…)

3. Alone or Lonely – Is There a Difference?

   August 25, 2012 10:25 pm 6 Comments

   It finally dawned on me that I will be 40 years old in October. This realisation came about after someone asked if I envisage myself growing old alone, this made me reflect back on my life. After two marriages and divorces, I realised that relationships are not for me, why does this shock so many people? I am a capable woman, I am able to support myself and my three children, provide them with food, a roof and most importantly love, respect and acceptance, so why do I need a man?

   ‘Because you will be lonely once the children leave home’ came the reply. This made me think, so okay, I may be alone but would that mean that I had to be lonely? I have many online friends, this site and a houseful of books and DVD’s to keep me occupied. Hmmm, sad and alone then, but not necessarily lonely!

   I am going to attempt to combat some of these questions but please be aware that this is only my take on the subject, I am not saying that other opinions are not valid because of course they are but what I write here is just the way that I currently perceive this subject matter. I would love to hear your opinions on the subject too so feel free to write a comment or drop me a line at michelle@successcircuit.com if you want to discuss this subject matter. For now, I will continue with my thoughts.

   I then got to thinking that so many people who are surrounded with friends, family and colleagues appear sombre and sad. We often hear the expression of someone being lonely when surrounded by people and it makes me wonder what makes people lonely. Some people are more than happy to be alone without feeling lonely, whereas others are alone by no fault of their own yet no matter how hard they try to interact with others whether online or face to face, they are (or maybe just feel) ignored and invisible which in turn makes them feel lonely. (more…)

4. An Evening With The Composers – My Thoughts

   August 21, 2012 10:27 am Leave a Comment

   After recently attending a concert from three new American writer/composers, I felt the need to tell you about it. If you are regular readers of this site, you would be aware that I have interviewed all three composers, Scott Evan Davis, Michael Patrick Walker and Georgia Stitt as well as the show’s producer Simon Greiff.

   The venue was The Hippodrome in London, we were situated in an intimate room with a reasonably large stage; we were seated so close to the front of the stage that it would only have taken a small shuffle to actually have been on the stage!! The composers all performed two songs each with assistance from some magnificent singers before introducing the next composer; they alternated like this for the evening. Towards the end of the evening each composer sang their own rendition of one of their songs which was by far a highlight of the night as it is great to see that not only can they write and compose lovely music, they also have the ability to perform with all their might and their voices were fantastic!

   The whole show was magical.

   The small ensemble performed to perfection, SimG Productions had obviously worked hard to ensure that it went as smoothly as possibly. I very much doubt that anyone supports new writers as much as Simon Greiff from SimG Productions. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that writers (& SimG) need support in order to publicise their music and allow them to bring their music to the world. People who take an interest in new writing should definitely follow the productions of SimG and help him to spread the wonderful music and find more new writers.

   What what happen to the people of the world without the love of music? Let us not find out!!! (more…)