Here is a piece I composed and recorded last spring which features Diane Cluck on piano. It's a new favorite of my pieces. At the time it was premiered at Cville Coffee, I did not yet have a title for it. So I passed out scraps of paper and asked the audience to write down ideas for a title. Then they voted by clapping for the best one. "Promise of Spring" won. (thanks to Joy Rayman, local belly dancer for winning title!  :)

Promise Of Spring

Here's me raw and unpolished just playing and improvising with a few chords. I love hitting "record" and seeing what happens. 

A Work in Progress: Blues improv

I've always loved this song. It is used in "The Lord of the Rings."
 I think it would make a beautiful wedding ceremony piece! 

May It Be by Enya

This was an assignment in the Gary Burton online jazz improvisation class. This was about my 49th take and I could not stop laughing. Needless to say, I got a zero as my grade for this.

Olhos De Gato - Carla Bley

This is an Irish jig composed for my mom (No 23). It was written during my grieving time of her passing and this jig was describing my phase of denial. It is a lively jig of a dance, this dance of life.

Jig for No. 23

When I first moved to Charlottesville (from Chicago) I was invited to a gathering as the "Mystery Guest". I composed this song for the occasion.

Mystery Song

I wrote this song on the 4th of July  back in 1991. At the time I composed it, I was doing so as a writing exercise to integrate lyrics to famous songs into my own song. It wasn't until much later that the layers of meaning became apparent. Also, I am profoundly deaf and I was also talking about how I didn't understand the words (though they moved me) and given all of that...
The song has come to mean much more post 9/11 and I feel it is very appropriate for the times we are living in now.

Radio DJs, listen for the dynamic change at 2'37

American Song

This is a poem written by Andrea Rowland that I set to music.  I was instantly taken by her words and the music came to me. It's a simple recording made for the purpose to share Andrea's poetry.

Home Song

Solo guitar composition that came to me one dark, cold December morning.

Invocation of the Mystery Guest

Guitar playing by Keith Stevens.  Arranged by Blue O'Connell. Sheet music Sheet music is available by purchasing "Seven Songs of Solace" for a donation at this link:    paypal.me/sevensongssolace

10% of the donations will go to benefit various organizations working in the front lines of the pandemic.

Finlandia

Song written after my mother's passing. Sheet music is available by purchasing "Seven Songs of Solace" for a donation at this link:    paypal.me/sevensongssolace

10% of the donations will go to benefit various organizations working in the front lines of the pandemic.

Acceptance (for Mom)

Guitar playing by Keith Stevens. Arranged by Blue O'Connell.
Sheet music is available by purchasing "Seven Songs of Solace" for a donation at this link:    paypal.me/sevensongssolace

10% of the donations will go to benefit various organizations working in the front lines of the pandemic.

Loch Lomand/Ode To Joy

Composed by Blue O'Connell. Sheet music is available by purchasing "Seven Songs of Solace" for a donation at this link:    paypal.me/sevensongssolace

10% of the donations will go to benefit various organizations working in the front lines of the pandemic.

Owl'S Dream

Blue O’Connell is a singer/songwriter, guitarist and certified music practitioner who happens to be profoundly deaf.  Her debut  CD, “Choose the Sky”. is part miracle, part hard work and an inspiring achievement.

"Choose the Sky" is receiving great reviews from music magazines in UK, Canada and US. Music reviewers used these words to describe O’Connell’s songs as: “gorgeous melodies"  "inventive", "haunting", "uniquely compelling", " profoundly moving”.  Her guitar playing is skillful both and passionate.  In addition, she is a warm and engaging performer.

 “Choose the Sky” is deeply personal and yet universally appealing at the same time.  This title is translated on the CD package into 9 different languages. Whether you choose, “elect the heavens” (Norwegian) “advance unobstructed” (Japanese) , “reach for the stars” (Chinese)  as your interpretation, each one is appropriate.

Blue O'Connell

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