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Description
An alternative version of an old classic. Tragic, thoughtful, full of subtle (and not so subtle) color changes, hopefully placing the lyrics into a new setting to help the listener hear them in a new way.
This autumn has been good to me. Clear cooler air has combined with a focused drug regimen to enable me to feel a little better. I was able to sing this week without negative effects. (Last time I sang in preparation of a gig in July and got a collapsed lung, my 16th so far, I think.) My voice is weak and a little shaky, and it took 4 takes to capture phrases without coughing, but I think it works for this song. Having a close mic certainly helps. I played piano and recorded vocals in later takes.
The chordal progression in this cover of the classic Oh Danny Boy tries to evoke a special setting for each lyric. Like a tone poem. Yes, lots of Bb, Eb and F+ chords. But I think I use around 20 chords and derivatives in this simple 3 chord progression tune. Please note some of the chord substitutions: the half-step chromatic progression "down the mountainside"; the C2/A on "I must bide" that evokes a different dimension; the Bb/F# on "in shadow"; the mutli-key progression on "and I am dead" evoking separation and tragedy; the arpeggio on "Ave" that quotes Gounod's Ave Marie; G/Am on "sleep in peace" that, again, tries to create a new space for sleeping; the lack of any chords played after "tell me that you love me" that symbolizes the long silence waiting for those words; the rising chromatic progression on the final "come ye back when summer's in the meadow" to contrast to the decent down the mountainside in the first stanza. And the ending that, for me, evokes Bernstein/Sondheim's "Somewhere."
I've been playing with chords on several cover songs lately, using the resonance of my new piano. It sounds so great in person, I wish I could invite you to hear it sitting next to me. The sound of my new baby grand is dictating my arrangements in a fundamental way. Kind of interesting. I am working an a duet album with my saxophone collaborator, Woody Mankowski, and all the songs are very harmonic-oriented.
For more regarding "Song of Myself," please seer the project page on my website: http://www.tobinmueller.com/solo/
Other drafts from "Song of Myself" shared on MacJams include:
Blackbird (by Paul McCartney)
Oh Danny Boy (traditional)
No Place Like Home (a duet: piano/soprano sax)
Before There Were Gods (with Michael Hedges)
Frozen Man (by James Taylor)
This autumn has been good to me. Clear cooler air has combined with a focused drug regimen to enable me to feel a little better. I was able to sing this week without negative effects. (Last time I sang in preparation of a gig in July and got a collapsed lung, my 16th so far, I think.) My voice is weak and a little shaky, and it took 4 takes to capture phrases without coughing, but I think it works for this song. Having a close mic certainly helps. I played piano and recorded vocals in later takes.
The chordal progression in this cover of the classic Oh Danny Boy tries to evoke a special setting for each lyric. Like a tone poem. Yes, lots of Bb, Eb and F+ chords. But I think I use around 20 chords and derivatives in this simple 3 chord progression tune. Please note some of the chord substitutions: the half-step chromatic progression "down the mountainside"; the C2/A on "I must bide" that evokes a different dimension; the Bb/F# on "in shadow"; the mutli-key progression on "and I am dead" evoking separation and tragedy; the arpeggio on "Ave" that quotes Gounod's Ave Marie; G/Am on "sleep in peace" that, again, tries to create a new space for sleeping; the lack of any chords played after "tell me that you love me" that symbolizes the long silence waiting for those words; the rising chromatic progression on the final "come ye back when summer's in the meadow" to contrast to the decent down the mountainside in the first stanza. And the ending that, for me, evokes Bernstein/Sondheim's "Somewhere."
I've been playing with chords on several cover songs lately, using the resonance of my new piano. It sounds so great in person, I wish I could invite you to hear it sitting next to me. The sound of my new baby grand is dictating my arrangements in a fundamental way. Kind of interesting. I am working an a duet album with my saxophone collaborator, Woody Mankowski, and all the songs are very harmonic-oriented.
For more regarding "Song of Myself," please seer the project page on my website: http://www.tobinmueller.com/solo/
Other drafts from "Song of Myself" shared on MacJams include:
Blackbird (by Paul McCartney)
Oh Danny Boy (traditional)
No Place Like Home (a duet: piano/soprano sax)
Before There Were Gods (with Michael Hedges)
Frozen Man (by James Taylor)
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Lyrics
OH DANNY BOY
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.
And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.
And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
Bubowski
Love the different harmonic structure. It's definitely got "art song" written all over it, but I love the little jazz chords that crop up here and there which keeps it grounded. Glad to hear you are feeling better.