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"Once upon a Time"
is a song I wrote while I was one of the Music Directors at Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, IN.
In all honesty, I didn't remember the melody at all. So, I rewrote the tune as I relearned the song while I
was recording it. I think it's a nice, gentle song of hope and promise. I hope you'll enjoy it!
Once Upon a Time
"Away
in a Manger" has always been one of my favorite carols. I love the simple story of the baby lieing in a manger.
This is a bit of a "bluegrass" take on the tune. There are vocals on the first of the two - it was re-recorded
in August of 2010 with a little more intensity. The second one is (wait for it...) an instrumental which is quite a
lot more "bluegrass"!! I hope you like it.
Away In a Manger
Away In a Manger Instrumental
"O Come,
O Come Emmanuel, is just one of the spookier of Christmas songs. I like things to sound kinda edgey and filled
with mystery. I think this comes pretty close to that description! Be patient with this one... it starts slow
and builds!!
O Come, O Come
This is
a rough mix of "We 3 Kings". I'm fairly certain it's not what you're used
to hearing when you think of this old Epiphany chestnut. Still, I'm interested in your feedback about the pleasantness
or enjoyability of the track. I love taking these wonderful old tunes and breathing life into them - at least the kind
of life I like!
We 3 Kings (vocals & lead)
Light of the Stable This wonderful song by Steve and Elizabeth Rhymer has been a part of my Christmas
celebration since 1978. As always I like to show you the work in progress. I think it needs some kind
of lead instrument yet. Tell me what you think of it, please?!
Light of the Stable (vocal)
"In the Bleak Midwinter"
is one of those truly wonderful songs of longing that moves me so much. Gustav Holst wrote the music! This is
just a piano and me - in one take. It's a bit on the melancholy side but, I think that's where this song
comes alive! As always, tell me what you think!
In the Bleak Midwinter
"I Heard the Bells"
was originally written as a poem about the Civil War. The words were written on Christmas Day 1864 by
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Many people have left out the more painful stanzas over the years. I didn't feel
like I could do that in view of the wars raging around our world - often at our behest. The song sounds way more
"guitar-pop" than I expected - think early Van Halen, AC/DC, 38 Special etc. As always, I appreciate
your feedback - tell me what you think!
I Heard the Bells
Silent
Night is one of the traditional favorites of all of our carols. I took a lazy and restrained approach to try to express
the wonder and hope of this amazing tune. Though I tried, I couldn't really box it into either country or rock.
These things will happen...
Silent Night
"Mary Had a Baby" is
a song I learned from Bruce Cockburn's Christmas Album. It's a fun song that sounds like a traveling
tune! Denise pushed me to put one more background vocal on the track and that gave it the life I was looking for!
It's nice to share the studio with my wife! And, in case you're wondering, I have no idea what the "and
the train done gone" line means...
Mary Had a Baby
"Go Tell It" is my take
on the wonderful old gospel song "Go Tell It On the Mountain". Whenever I hear this song it just makes me
wanna dance (scary since I don't know how - but when I'm playing with my eyes closed I'm sure I move
and shuffle something like dancing,,,). The song just seems to roll right along. I'd love to hear what you
think of it! Thanks!
Go Tell It
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