Whirlpool
Episode #206:\xa0 Whirlpool (Song starts at 5:20)
\nI enjoyed recording a demo for this episode. It\u2019s such good fun when I do this. It occurs to me as I write these show notes, it\u2019s been a great way to archive some old songs (and of course putting them together with a show that gives them a context.
\nA context? Con : more than one. Text: story.
\nThat\u2019s one of the things that makes a song interesting and engaging. That over used word the \u2018back story\u2019\u2026 I guess that\u2019s actually a step on from the song itself.
\nThe lyrics, bring so many memories to the surface for me. They become picture and movies. In a sense, I\u2019m putting music to movies, then.
\nBut that\u2019s only one way of looking at it. There are so many things to have under your belt, so many things to look out for as you compose. Yet you\u2019re free, free as a free thing. You\u2019re on the breath. It feels like a short holiday.
\nThinking about writing a song feels like when you are anticipating of a short holiday. Pretty good, eh? And when you are composing, you\u2019re definitely \u2018away\u2019 somewhere.
\nThat\u2019s how it feels to write a song like Whirlpool.
\nThis song was written in NZ. In 1987, when I was away at the ski fields for a few months. It was a great gig: Lighting the fire In the old fire place in the restaurant in the early evening, then sitting at my keyboard and singing as the guests arrived.
\nI had the best sound in the house. A huge speaker right behind me. Sound is everything when it comes to confidence for live performance.
\nThe same when you\u2019re recording music - and it really helps to have a nice peaceful environment when you\u2019re composing. There\u2019s nothing like someone coming in and tapping me on the shoulder when I\u2019m composing. I just about jump out of my skin \u2026because I\u2019m really on another planet. Well, part of me is. It\u2019s the coolest feeling, and it\u2019s like I\u2019m engaged in some sort of exchange, some connection that offers fleeting moments of possibilities.
\nIt\u2019s then up to me, with my limitations as a human being to interpret and present the best version of what I\u2019m sensing or hearing in the moment.
\nAnyway, back in the day, in 1987 I was in my early 20s. I felt like my life was racing me by and I really needed to get cracking,
\nWhich is funny, looking back from 2024. \u2018There\u2019s plenty of time, man!\u2019\xa0 that\u2019s what I\u2019d like\xa0to say to that young fellow.
\nAfter those gigs, I\u2019d carry one of my keyboards through the freezing frosty night, back to my room. I\u2019d put pen to paper and quickly write a page of lyrics. The next morning, I\u2019d plug in my relatively new synth (a Roland D50)\xa0 and randomly select a patch \u2026(a sound) to compose within away I\u2019d go. Singing and playing. Again, it was so much fun.
\nSo, this song started with the lyrics first, where I observed my thoughts spinning like a whirlpool. Playing with an orchestra strings sound, I sang along with the chords and the song we quickly took shape.
\nAnd there in my old green song book it\u2019s lived, awaiting its moment.
\nSo here\u2019s Whirlpool, song #79, from 1987.
\nI hope you enjoy this episode, once again exploring the songwriting process, with anecdotes and also some new improvised music, enjoy.
\nwww.petepascoe.wordpress.com is my blog. Lots of links to more of my music and art there.
\n12 albums streaming presently.
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\nAnd of course, if you\u2019re new here, there\u2019s another 205 episodes to catch up on\xa0- in no particular order (that\u2019s 205 songs + a 100 hours of anecdotes, life observations and songwriting stuff).