Soul Stir, an original work for guitar orchestra by Candice Mowbray
Digital Demo

Soul Stir was written for, and premiered by, participants in the PAVAN summer guitar program, in northern Virginia in 2021. The work evokes landscapes or states of being, more spiritually oriented than earthly--a brief journey for a set (or ensemble) of souls. It begins with a series of gently stirring sounds bringing to mind a desert landscape and shifts to a fully resolving choral-like section somewhat influenced by 60s pop. A mystical section follows before transitioning to the souls' full-on groove to end the piece. Composed by an experienced performer and educator, the piece was written thoughtfully to take advantage of the qualities of a large guitar ensemble although it can be performed by smaller groups. Unison playing, rhythmic interplay, and building of ideas through the ensemble occur. Percussion and clapping are incorporated for effect as well as to encourage movement. It was written to be fun to play, encourage communication, and unify an ensemble.

Soul Stir

Soul Stir(Original Guitar Orchestra Composition) - Electronic Demo

H.Sauguet - Musiques pour Claudel - Le Rouge excerpt

Peaceful Key Muncher (Kramer/Whalen Big Band ft. Kevin Cerovich and Ben Ford)

Russ Smith plays classical guitarist Osvaldo Gold on his program "Root and Branch" on WUMD on February 18 2017

Russ Smith plays Osvaldo Gold on ROOT AND BRANCH on WUMD

Lyrics:
1.There are poems:
There are poems
that are never written,
that simply move across
the mind
like skywriting
on a still day:
slowly the first word
drifts west,
the last letters dissolve
on the tongue,
and what is left 
is the pure blue
of insight, without cloud
or comfort.
2. Spring
Just as we lose hope
she ambles in,
a late guest
dragging her hem
of wildflowers,
her torn
veil of mist,
of light rain,
blowing
her dandelion
breath 
in our ears;
and we forgive her,
turning from
chilly winter 
ways,
we throw off
our faithful
sweaters
and open
our arms.
3. The Imperfect Paradise
If God had stopped work after the fifth day

With Eden full of vegetables and fruits,

If oak and lilac held exclusive sway

Over a kingdom made of stems and roots,

If landscape were the genius of creation

And neither man nor serpent played a role

And God must look to wind for lamentation

And not to picture postcards of the soul,

Would he have rested on his bank of cloud

With nothing in the universe to lose,

Or would he hunger for a human crowd?

Which would a wise and just creator choose:

The green hosannas of a budding leaf

Or the strict contract between love and grief?
4. Why are your poems so dark?
Isn't the moon dark too, 
most of the time? 

And doesn't the white page 
seem unfinished 

without the dark stain 
of alphabets? 

When God demanded light, 
he didn't banish darkness. 

Instead he invented 
ebony and crows 

and that small mole 
on your left cheekbone. 

Or did you mean to ask 
"Why are you sad so often?" 

Ask the moon. 
Ask what it has witnessed.

Skywriting, 4 songs on poems by Linda Pasta by Garth Baxter

The third movement of Suite No. 1, a set of Latin themed dances with a touch of the Middle East ans well as other influences. This one is a gem with a touch of the Baroque in it. Can you tell what the key change is? I'm proud of this one.

Destination Unknown

Sheet Music

Medianoche Habanera from Suite No. 1 for solo guitar

The second movement of Suite No. 1, a set of Latin themed dances with a touch of the Middle East ans well as other influences. One of my favorite compositions to date, to play and just for being, this one is a fun Latin dance with a dark Arabian feel. Many have stated that they sense a Turkish touch to it. I'll take it since the Middle East borrowed the modes of Turkey into their music.

Sikah Baladi from Suite No. 1 for solo guitar

Une autre version de la petite chansonnette "Return of The Son Of Mr. Flip"
(The finished long version of the little original theme, now with B section)

Le Retour De M. Flip

Anatomy Of A Song - Toy Automatic ♠ All this week we’ll be giving a behind the scenes look at the making of Toy Automatic from In Spades, starting with Greg Dulli's original demo. It’s a stripped down version of the song featuring just Greg on vocals and guitar.  Download it here. Follow along the rest of the week for behind the scenes video on our social media channels.

The band is headed back out on the road next week for a co-headlining tour with  Built To Spill plus  Rituals Of Mine /  Ed Harcourt. For info & tickets: www.theafghanwhigs.com/tour/

Toy Automatic - Demo

Romanza - Nicolo Paganini Opus 35 Recorded in Stowe Vermont summer 2012 on a Panormo guitar made in 1831 at low pitch (A = 415 )

Soul Stir(Original Guitar Orchestra Composition) - Electronic Demo

Candice Mowbray

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