I’m very excited about this whole experience of writing and winning the Judges Award for Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge (Nov 14) and so have decided that the new recording will be available as a free download to anyone who would like to enjoy it for a limited time.
As part of my prize I had the pleasure of recording Riches to Rags with Judge Jon Lawton at Crosstown Studios Liverpool. We had a chilled and enjoyable session and thus this recording was born.
Big thanks to Liverpool Acoustic and the 3 Judges (Kaya (Balance Vocal), Jon Lawton (Crosstown Studios) & Robert Vincent).
Big smiles from me!
You can download the song from Bandcamp (free or if you want to pay anything that’s up to your discretion) or Soundcloud.
I also played the fab Liverpool Acoustic live on Friday (27th Feb.) as part of an epic line-up (Cousin Jac & Roxanne De Bastion) and the lovely Graham Holland (1 half of Liverpool Acoustic) took this vid of me performing the song …
A few months back I was invited into the cover of Blues Matters for their Blue Blood section. The magazine came out in December and here I am telling tales of my musical journey, my inspiration and songwriting. Blues Matters does a lot for the British Blues scene and for people like myself who don’t quite fit into a traditional category.
I also had the pleasure of playing the Blues Matters stage at Jaks this year at Skegness Butlins for the 2015 Great British Rock & Blues Festival. Good times and a great gig to start the year on 🙂 Great opportunity to write some new songs! My set list is growing by the week these days….
On Friday I went along to perform my entry for the finals. It was a great night of music both from 2 of the judges (Robert Vincent & Kaya) and also the other 9 finalists.
There’s a big smile on my face and I’m also very overwhelmed by the amount of congratulations from people. I genuinely entered the challenge for a bit of a different songwriting venture but to come out winner is very nice…
This is the painting I chose from View Two Gallery to write about… I was really drawn into this picture and had the whole song concept very quickly.,
The song…
The lyrics…
Riches to Rags
Do you know I used to be a Queen?
I followed you here
Enticed and entranced by your need
But I know I’m never going to be your Queen
Though dress in golden seams
I’m left alone with my dreams
And I gave my colours for you
Gave my colours for you…
*
Honey, how I ache to be your queen
Oh invisible me
Now we’re strangers its clear that I
Served a purpose it seems
Left to dote in the breeze
Carry all that I’ve seen
And It’s alright
I know how you feel
I can’t keep you here
You’re not meant for me
And we used to dance and you’d hold me so firmly
I’d fly like a bird
And you’d touch me so softly I’d slip through your arms
Like the breath that you drew
When you kissed me
Unhooked me from all that I knew
Now all I know is you
Now all I know is you…
*
Darling I could never never be your queen
The world worn weary
This Goddess has dignity
And darling I rage like the sea
You took all that I had
From riches to rags
Not sure I exist
Chameleons and twists
Laments of lives gone by
I float between two skies
I’ve been chasing ghosts
Since you caressed my throat
Spinning mirrors and smoke
I tenderly choke
And we used to dance and you’d spin me so firmly I’d fly like a bird
And you’d touch me so softly I’d slip through your arms
Like the breath that you drew
When you kissed me
Unhooked me from all that I knew
Such a beauty, you told me I shone like a charm
These red lips you could kiss
That remind you of sunsets so bold
So unspoiled, I unfold, you took me from all that I knew
The prizes for winning are a vocal lesson with the amazing Balance Vocal, a studio recording of my song with Crosstown Studios and I am also invited to perform at Liverpool Acoustics Birthday event on 27th Feb 2015. 🙂
This weekend whilst I was soaking up the vibe of Halloween, Day of the Dead and trying to write a Christmas song I also took it upon myself to update my website. It’s still a gradual work-in-progress but is now much snazzier and more organised 🙂 ACHIEVED!
To celebrate this, I bring news..
Last month was the return of Liverpool AcousticSongwriting Challenge. I had intended to enter this for a couple of years now but 2014 was the year I actually put it into action. The challenge was to go to View Two Gallery in town (Liverpool) and pick a piece of artwork to write about. This was a really interesting undertaking for me as I haven’t written many songs in this way before. I enjoyed it a lot and here is my offering below. I have been selected as one of the 10 finalists and will be performing at the finals on 21st November at View Two Gallery, Liverpool. There are some really strong contenders among the other finalists and it will be a great night. So…if you fancy, come along and see what’s going on!
In gig news…. I have been confirmed as a performer at January’s Great British Rock & Blues Festival in Skegness. This is very exciting for me! I will be doing an hour long show on Sunday 25th Jan on Blues Matters stage @ 1.15 – 2.15 pm. Hope to see you there!
Finally…Last week marked the return of the one and only Bob’s Folk Show. Bob was one of the first to hear/play my debut album Cycle Grace Pulse Break in 2010 and has been an encouragement ever since. His show is always a great listen of folk and roots artists and the first one (including my track Chopping Wood), can be heard here..The show is every Tuesday at 9pm., go and check him out.
Jo Bywater 