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 …
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. 🙂
Happy Days., I’m really still coming down from Friday nights Chasing Tales EP launch at View Two Gallery, hosted by the fantastic Liverpool Acoustic and with and awesome line-up (Little Sparrow, Me & Deboe, Anna Corcoran).. full house and lots of happy music lovers.
It’s been solid work for me since September last year with starting to write the first song (Woollen Hearts) and I couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out.
The EP is now available to buy from all the usual suspects –
There are limited number of CDs available so get in there quick if you love the tactile music experience, I know I do. I will be taking these to gigs as well until they run out!
This is what the reviews are saying about the EP so far..
‘always played with a great sense of maturity, an ear for the rhythmic and an ability to place words in such a way that the guitar is more than an instrument to her, it is more like a confidant, a co-conspirator in her music and Chasing Tales once exemplifies this confidant and genuinely very cool woman’s ability’ – Liverpool Sound & Vision
Gearing up towards my EP launch this Friday Graham Holland has got stuck in with this edition of Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight to showcase some of the music that will be heard on the night. In the playlist is my new song Chopping Wood feat. Andy Jones (Just by Chance).
Jo Bywater 