Whirlpool – Song and a Chat

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Episode #206: Whirlpool (Song starts at 5:20)

I enjoyed recording a demo for this episode. It’s such good fun when I do this. It occurs to me as I write these show notes, it’s been a great way to archive some old songs (and of course putting them together with a show that gives them a context.

A context? Con : more than one. Text: story.

That’s one of the things that makes a song interesting and engaging. That over used word the ‘back story’… I guess that’s actually a step on from the song itself.

The lyrics, bring so many memories to the surface for me. They become picture and movies. In a sense, I’m putting music to movies, then.

But that’s 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’re free, free as a free thing. You’re on the breath. It feels like a short holiday.

Thinking about writing a song feels like when you are anticipating of a short holiday. Pretty good, eh? And when you are composing, you’re definitely ‘away’ somewhere.

That’s how it feels to write a song like Whirlpool.

This 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.

I had the best sound in the house. A huge speaker right behind me. Sound is everything when it comes to confidence for live performance.

The same when you’re recording music – and it really helps to have a nice peaceful environment when you’re composing. There’s nothing like someone coming in and tapping me on the shoulder when I’m composing. I just about jump out of my skin …because I’m really on another planet. Well, part of me is. It’s the coolest feeling, and it’s like I’m engaged in some sort of exchange, some connection that offers fleeting moments of possibilities.

It’s then up to me, with my limitations as a human being to interpret and present the best version of what I’m sensing or hearing in the moment.

Anyway, 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,

Which is funny, looking back from 2024. ‘There’s plenty of time, man!’ that’s what I’d like to say to that young fellow.

After those gigs, I’d carry one of my keyboards through the freezing frosty night, back to my room. I’d put pen to paper and quickly write a page of lyrics. The next morning, I’d plug in my relatively new synth (a Roland D50) and randomly select a patch …(a sound) to compose within away I’d go. Singing and playing. Again, it was so much fun.

So, 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.

And there in my old green song book it’s lived, awaiting its moment.

So here’s Whirlpool, song #79, from 1987.

I hope you enjoy this episode, once again exploring the songwriting process, with anecdotes and also some new improvised music, enjoy.

www.petepascoe.wordpress.com is my blog. Lots of links to more of my music and art there.

12 albums streaming presently.

And of course, if you’re new here, there’s another 205 episodes to catch up on – in no particular order (that’s 205 songs + a 100 hours of anecdotes, life observations and songwriting stuff).