Songs from Stories
I have always enjoyed a good story - most of us do.
I'm a musician so I've always enjoyed a good song too.
In folk traditions around the world, information has been passed down and around through the mediums of songs and stories. Often the story is easier to remember when it is in musical form.
Some of my favourite folk songs are borne of traditional stories. For example, 'Three Little Babes' (about a mother's three children leaving home and then returning as ghosts), 'The Turkish Reverie' (about a sailor who sinks a rival ship) and the timeless 'Tennessee Waltz' (about someone whose friend steals their partner before their very eyes).
I certainly find that I often connect more with a story when it is sung. I wondered whether I could write songs from stories which would resonate and stick in the minds of storytelling fans and music fans alike.
Thanks to Creative Scotland's 'Create Inclusion fund', I was able to explore my interest in songs and stories. I got in touch with renowned storyteller, Erin Farley. Erin is based in Angus and is a seasoned professional. She has recently published a collection of traditional stories from her area, titled - 'Angus Folk Tales'.
Erin and I met and I was lucky enough to be treated to several one-to-one storytelling performances. She told me stories from Angus, from Iceland and further afield. She told me stories of cows, princesses, fairies...on themes of jealousy, love, sacrifice, faith and pride.
After each meeting, I'd go away and listen to the recordings I'd made, then try and compose songs from the material. Sometimes they came quickly and sometimes it took quite a bit longer to get right! However, I was able to go back Erin a few weeks after our session and check my compositions with her for accuracy, meaning and representation. I believe she also enjoyed the process.
Once I had a few songs under my belt, I assembled my co-musicians. For this project, they are Sean Gray on guitar and flute and Norman Mackay on button accordion (pictured, above). Both fine musicians with much experience indeed.
I arranged the songs with chords, instrumental sections, vocal harmonies and countermelodies. We then recorded demos of each song and prepared to have our performance filmed. Filming takes place on 02 June 2023 so watch out for the finished product!
Thanks to Creative Scotland for this opportunity and thanks to Mike Vass for musical mentorship.
Interested in collaborating or sharing ideas?
We can be more than the sum of our parts!
Get in touch for a chat!