This song has been like carve a rock, from be bop to electronic blues.
The initial idea is from Billie's Bounce theme, a blues in F from the brilliant Charlie Parker. The alto sax idea shoud be present and I deal it sampling some original audio Parker sax and also slicing it creating a free jazz section in a atmosferic ambient. Thanks Charlie for your music I uphold it so much.

Beyond Charlie Parker

Days in the Sun

cars roll out in procession two by two
no one knows where they're going to
you don't know where they're taking you

final call for redemption if you choose
talk about what's been troubling you
or you could refuse

you can say that it's ok, you are good
our world's not broken 
not the corner where you are stood 
hell no

sticks and stones in the street near the traffic cone 
the kids don't mean it 
they just do what they have been shown
by you

she gets out, contemplates you with a frown
is that a halo or a crown?
you don't know what is going down, do you?

men in suits make you walk into a wood
you would run if only you could
put on this hood

you had chances to fix things, yes you did
a drop in the ocean 
to make a difference of one 
but you didn't

hate words thrown in the street near the traffic cone 
the kids don't mean it 
they just do what they have been shown
by you

every action has an equal reaction
you knew this 
and you dug this 
it's your own grave

step by step, contemplate the things you've done
all those games you lost and you won
what have you become 
yeah you

hood comes off: it's a clearing in the trees
no one for you at times like these
get on your knees

you can say that it's ok, you are good
our world's not broken 
not the corner where you are stood 
is that so?

knives are shown in the street near the traffic cone 
the kids don't mean it 
they just do what they have been shown
by you

Traffic Cone

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."  -Nelson Mandela


Soli Deo Gloria!

War Of Courage

Minimum

03 Yellow

SUMMER WITH BASS (INSTRUMENTAL)

Prepare and advance

Duration: ca. 21'
Music by Robert Paterson • Lyrics by David Cote

Instrumentation: soprano and chamber ensemble (wind doubler [flute, B-flat clarinet, oboe], violin, cello, percussion, piano)
Performed by American Modern Ensemble, Marnie Breckenridge, Soprano
Formerly titled "In Real Life."

Purchase Sheet Music: (Version for Soprano and Chamber Ensemble): http://www.billholabmusic.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=103_137&products_id=2778

Purchase Sheet Music: (Version for Soprano and Piano): http://www.billholabmusic.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=103_137&products_id=2777

For more information:
Version for Soprano and Chamber Ensemble: https://robertpaterson.com/in-real-life-version-for-soprano-and-chamber-ensemble
Version for Soprano and Piano: https://robertpaterson.com/in-real-life-version-for-soprano-and-piano

In Real Life II for baritone and chamber ensemble and baritone and piano also available. (In Real Life II consists of different songs than In Real Life.)

PROGRAM NOTE
Forty million Americans do it: join a dating site hoping to find true love in digital space. In Real Life is a song cycle for soprano and piano that explores the humor and heartbreak of this modern ritual. Five women fill out their dating-site profiles, opening a window into their worlds. The first song is “A Regular Woman,” in which a lady outlines the exact sort of man she’s looking for with comical specificity, perfect for today’s on-demand culture. “Late Bloomer” is a sweet and wistful portrait of a woman who learns in her 40s that her romantic tastes have changed radically. Next, in “Anastasia,” we hear from a Russian looking for a husband—with all the broken English that entails. With “Collateral,” the mood turns dark, as a war widow contemplates returning to the dating pool. Finally, “Rewind” is a nostalgic anthem by a 35-year-old whose divorce has made her feel like an awkward teen again. Can she learn something from her younger self? Funny and sad yet full of hope, In Real Life is about reality, fantasy and second chances. In Real Life was commissioned by Austin Chamber Ensemble Artistic Director Martha Mortensen Ahern, in honor of its 35th season.

American Modern Ensemble: In Real Life

In Real Life I - II. Late Bloomer

Early Morning 5 am (Credits at end)
your still sleeping here I go again	
Creeping sideways down the hall
you know who there behind that door
I’m still around and so are you		 		  
that’s quite a thing all we been through			
there’ll come a day it has to be				    
When you and I are free….. yeah…			

Woke up this morning with the sun in my eyes
fear in my heart and change on my mind
dreamt last night that we could fly
we were free falling, I don’t know why
Your folks are fine but they don’t know
the fire inside that makes us glow
down to the wire, fight or flee
Fly with the birds, so free , yeah 
Free as the wind					
as Strong as the trees					
we are one 							
and we are free					
as proud as the hills					
high as the sky						
could this be you and I, I….
Early Morning 5 am
your still sleeping here I go again
Early Morning 5 am
your still sleeping here I go again
Early Morning 5 am

Andrew Smith: Songwriting, Mix&Master, Vocals, Acoustic, Piano, Drums, Percussion
Vitor Pegas (Portugal) Electric Guitars
Simon Lou (Indonisia)Bass
Jaype (Windsor, England) Organ

Early Morning 5am

Based upon the traditional Celtic tune “When The Pipers Play”, lyrics by Eric Dentinger (2020), inspired by Bruce Springsteen and Rabbie Burns…
Fear cannot be an answer…

Another day for you and me
Another gloom far from the sea
The days are gone, I just can see
Can we go back to the days of free?

The land of freedom, the land of hope
Did fade away, ran off the road
The main street dogs still howl in vain
We miss so much the promised land

I’ll pack my bag, despise the fears
Will hit the road and close my ears
The freemen stand, the freemen fall
Just let me do, respect my call

Can we go back to those days of free?
Just let me do

And let me be

War Of Courage

Cody Sell