24. Decisions

An Adrian version:             https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm?songID=14390659
Performed by Salt::             https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm?songID=14390664
Live in concert with Salt:    https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm?songID=14390665
In Welsh/Cymraeg:             https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm?songID=5452225
In Welsh on TV (from 1985):     https://youtu.be/pH_qEF0DEvs

A multiple choice option this week!

Why choose this song right now?

I have reached one of those points in my life journey where multiple options lay before me and I truly don't know which ones will work out and which are the ones I should pursue. That was exactly the situation when, along with a wonderful songwriter/musician called Rob Fisher, we wrote this song.

Right now my career is nearer its conclusion than its beginning. I have to make some pretty HUGE decisions. When would it best to retire? What would be the most sensible option in terms of finances? What would be the most sensible options in terms of family? (and bear in mind my family is on two different continents.) Where should I live? How long am I likely to live? (I do not even want to know the answer to that one!) So, yes, some decisions that literally have to do with the remaining life I will have on the planet.

The local governing body (The Presbytery) of the area in which I am serving are having to ask some serious questions. When I arrived, the eight churches on the South Fork of Long Island all had ministerial oversight. Now, following Covid, only three of them do.

In one of those the minister is on maternity leave. The position I occupy is a dual part-time position and the denomination I serve has decided, in just over a years time, to no longer fund their part of the equation. This came as rather unwelcome  suprise to both myself and the other half of the equation, which is the congregation I am currently working with.. We could interpret that as 'throwing us under the bus' but our more worthy side refuses to be that uncharitable! So other peoples decisions, beyond our control, are influencing the decisions that I have no option but to make.

The circumstances of the original song,

I was playing in a band called "Bananas" and all sorts of stuff was happening.  We had our whole lives before us. None of us had any idea what the future held for us. I was hoping it involved writing songs playing music because I LOVE writing songs and making music. But I was, and am, a person of Christian faith. And my life has always been tied up with trying to understand what a higher power had in store for me, It was then. It is now. And faith is all about trusting that the "Big Unknown" knows what is going on. That has worked pretty well for me and I'm hoping will continue to do so. So Rob and myself wrote the song.

A little more history of the song and these recordings.

Rob and I wrote it originally for ourselves and for the band we were playing in to perform. Then "Banana's split" (pun intended.) The next band I played in, called "Salt", liked the song and also played it and recorded a version of it. But the recording, complete with copying the guitar solo almost note for note, came after I had left that band. (And what was it about me and bands with food products in their name?) We are still great friends and when they had a reunion gig I was invited to join them to perform it  … which is the "Salt Live" version.

I had moved on to study theology in Wales and, of course carried on playing music. The song became translated into Welsh and played on the radio and on the Welsh TV pop show, "Ser" in 1985. (Featuring a future General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Wales - Rev. Meirion Morris - on Bass guitar.) Which accounts for those two versions. I'm told all of "Ser"s TV broadcasts are preserved in the National Library of Wales, so if any future generation searches for examples of "Christian Welsh language Rock Bands performing on TV" they may well find it.

But enough of this rambling. Give it a listen. Or watch it. Most of all hope you enjoy it and find the message relevant for your own life.

Decisions
© Adrian J Pratt/Robert Fisher 1977

Don't want to make a mistake
I want to do what's right
Gotta make my decision
I want to do what's right
Because I've got to do what's right
Sitting thinking, Confusion on my mind
Don't want to wait till tomorrow
Feel like I've just got to decide what's right to do

Got to make my decision, Got to make my decision
Got to make my decision, Got to do what's right
Decison oo- oo
Got to make my decision, Got to make my decision
Got to do what's right

It's not a straightforward direction
Do I turn left or right
It's more a case of being guided
To where I do what's right
Because I've got to do what's right
Should I do just as I feel
Follow my desire
Should I go ahead and take the plnge
And risk being brainwashed by the liar

Got to make my decision, Got to make my decision
Got to make my decision, Got to do what's right
Decison oo- oo
Got to make my decision, Got to make my decision
Got to do what's right

I'm gonna do what You want me to do
I'm going to do what's right
I'm going to follow where You lead me
Because Ii've got to do wjat's right
I want to do what's right
Now I know the feeling
That You are by my side
I know that You will guide my decision
I know that You will be what I decide

Got to make my decision, Got to make my decision
Got to make my decision, Got to do what's right
Decison oo- oo
Got to make my decision, Got to make my decision
Got to do what's right

Decision, Decision, Decision

(Iconic guitar solo)

23. StarBlazers. Series 2, Episode 3 - "Home"

 

 This weeks song is a cheesy lo budget sci-fi opera. A Space Romp. A little ditty to pay homage and say thanks to all the futuristic imagineers out there in the universe. Not sure what genre that qualifies for!

Listen here: https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm?songID=14130916

Growing up I graduated from puppet shows like Fireball XL5 and Thunderbird's to low budget sci-fi movies with real people in them and TV series like Star Trek. Often the themes were very similar. Somebody is lost in space or in trouble and needing rescuing. They try and find a way home. And there's often a laser filled battle along the way.

Along came Covid and much Sc-Fi binging took place as I revisited everything from Hawkwind concerts to remakes of Battle Star Galactica.

Musically I wanted to capture both the orchestral movie vibe and throw in some late 1960's sounding pop for the sung parts. And there had to be silly voices, robots and characters with unpronounceable names.

There's even some philosophical musing about humankind's propensity towards destruction. Retrospectively, I think the lyrics also reflect the fact that a world wide pandemic was taking place and we had no clue where life was headed.

The title is meant to represent the way many sci-fi series have repeat series and numerous episodes, not to mention remakes. Enthusiasts can often name their favourite series or show.

All recorded in my lock-down man cave. Enjoy a throwback to low budget TV series with predictable plots. You can almost hear the scenery wobble.

StarBlazers. Series 2, Episode 3 - Home
(© Adrian J Pratt 10/20/2020)

This doesn't feel like home to me
This strange alternate galaxy
Where we are I can not tell
But it feels just like hell

How do we get home?
How do we get home?

It's hard to breathe the atmosphere
Not even sure how we got here
This gravity won't let us go
Feeling trapped, feeling alone

How do we get home?
How do we get home?

Comms. This is Earth calling. This is Earth calling
We can not help you. We can not help you.

Tirion: I don't understand. Why are we stuck here. How was this allowed to happen? Who is to blame?

Margorthea: Dear child, we are all to blame. We went too far. We pursued narrow visions of personal power in preference to logic and fact. We thought domination was more important than intergration. And now, this war, will never end. This war will never end. This war will never end.

Comms: We can not help you. We can not help you

Searching for the light each day
A lifetime trying to get away
Could it be the prophets lied?
Are we all just born to die?

How do we get home?
How do we get home?

 

22. I wrote a Song.

 Adrian Song of the week 

 Listen here: https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm?songID=12885889

 

A very ancient video of a much younger me playing the song at a Bala, UK  youth retreat can be found here: https://youtu.be/b0p5WJ6SIFM

This weeks song is a true masterpiece of composition and incredibly notable for its focus and brevity.  Here are the lyrics.

I wrote a song.

Which don't take long.

It goes like this

That's all it is.

Hmm.

Yep. That's all it is. 17 seconds of mandolin accompanied reflection. Recorded 'live' in my bedroom at my parents house in 20 Orchard Road on an Akai DB 4000 reel to reel deck, more years ago than I care to remember. (Shout out to Paul Maylor who was the mandolins owner)

I have performed this 'live' at various random events over the decades. Most recently at open mic nights. Usually raises a smile or two. 😎🙈😝

After conversations with other creative folk, I have been analysing my own song writing methods and how, at least for me, songs and tunes can happen. 

I've identified the following patterns.

Songs that just arrive. Suddenly there they are in your mind. Can be something you wake up with, or just a random tune that arrives from goodness knows where. 

Songs and tunes created just because I like the way the music sounds or the words fit together.

Songs written specifically for and sometimes with bands I've played with. 

Songs or tunes that come out of experimenting with synths, samples and DAWS.

Songs written for specific purposes such as retreats, worship services, events. If they are written for a group of folk to learn and sing, this has a big impact on the writing process.

Songs of personal devotion or that are reactions to things going in or around my life.

Songs that reflect my beliefs, in particular either a supportive thought or a critique.

Songs about things going on in the world. Politics. Issues of peace and justice.

Songs that are part of musicals (and therefore just part of a bigger picture)

Songs about family and relationships (Including silly love songs) 

Songs co-written with others on a huge variety of themes.

Music put to other folks words or expanding other peoples musical ideas.

Songs that explore a genre I am not familiar with or wish to learn about.

Cover Versions of other peoples songs.

Remixes and Mash Ups.

Q. Do they start with the words or the tune? 

A. Depends which comes to mind first. Can be a thought or it can be a chord sequence, something I just read or a melodic idea that I can't shake off. 

Q. Is it a quick process or a lengthy one? 

A. Again, depends. Some are done in twenty minutes. Some take years of revisits.

Q. Why write at all, particularly when your work generates zero money or is of only limited interest to anybody but yourself? 

A. Because I can. Because it brings me joy. Because sometimes my songs bring others joy. Because it is a way of working things out and expressing things I can't always frame with words alone.  Because it's something I've done as long as I can remember.  Because it keeps my mind focussed and requires creative thought. Because I'm growing older and need to do things that keep the grey matter active.  

Honestly, I have no idea if these thoughts are of any interest to anybody but myself. And that's ok. 

But hey... if I've given you 17 seconds of light relief...  then 'yay!'

21. The Silly Saga of Unexplainable Egbert Nosh

"The Silly Sage of Unexplainable Egbert Nosh"

Two ways to enjoy this weeks song.

Audio Version https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm?songID=4111228
Video on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCcqBgM6gn4

A blast from the past.

Egbert Nosh was a colorfully animated cartoon film designed by Hilary Hayton and shown on the BBC May 1 1974 (based on a children's book by Paul Groves.) In it Mr Egbert Nosh takes his house, garage and dustbin for a walk. I was so impressed back then that I wrote a song about it and around 1976 used to sing it with a band called Mr. Grumbold. 

I understand the original cartoon was wiped - but I found a few Nosh pics and a snippet of video on YouTube called 'Egg' on the web. I mixed what I could find up with a few other images. If anybody else remembers it, then enjoy! It's just a silly song about a kiddies book that caught my imagination back in the day :-)

The original book goes for quite a price. (If this link is still active... https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Egbert-Nosh-Paul-Groves/dp/0516034510) Very happy to say my dear wife obtained a copy not to long ago and gave it me as a birthday present. But that was after I put together the video! 

The audio only version has an introduction featuring the words being read as the audience joins in. Doing the honors was now Merseyside DJ 'Chris Currie', who has an excellent radio program showcasing Merseyside music on Monday nights - repeated Tuesday - on Mersey Radio.(merseyradio.co.uk) The opening segment, featuring Chris, was recorded at the United Reformed Church Hall in Hoylake, probably around 1976 and rescued from a cassette tape.

It is an unusual song. Very short. Numerous key changes. Lot of chords. And finishes with a plagiarized nursery rhyme. Amazing what you can come up with when nobody has taught you how songs are meant to sound or should be structured!

The Silly Sage of Unexplainable Egbert Nosh

© Adrian J Pratt 1974 (ish)

Egbert Nosh,
Ever so posh
Have you seen him on your TV?
He's portrayed in technicolour
A funny sort of fellow
Is Egg-Bert, Egg-Bert, Egg-Bert Nosh

He owns a house
Which takes fancies to walking about
So does his garage
His dustbin rides a motorbike

But poor old Egbert could not allow that
It attracted attention
Much to
Much to
Much to
Much to
Much to
Talkabout

So he signs up an agreement
To see his holdings have fair treatment

He promises to take
His holdings out on Sunday
So for the rest of the week
They will remain normal
Suburban sundry.

(Guitar break)

Egbert Nosh,
Ever so posh
Have you seen him on your TV?
He's portrayed in technicolour
A funny sort of fellow
Is Egg-Bert, Egg-Bert, Egg-Bert Nosh

Egbert Nosh, Ever So posh
Egbert Nosh, Ever So posh
Egbert Nosh, Ever So posh
Egbert Nosh, Ever So posh
Egbert Nosh, Egbert Nosh.