(Written by Terry Reeves, 23.6.21)
Terry Reeves:  Lead Vocals
Hans Albers:  All instruments, Arrangement & Production

image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blackbird_Silhouette_(150819537).jpeg

You might imagine that this song is very much influenced by Paul McCartney’s classic but although it certainly covers similar ground, the route via which it came to be has a genesis all it’s own.

Some months ago, Barbara Browning & Imre Lodbrog covered one of my songs, ‘Who’s Gonna Be My King’ (https://soundcloud.com/barbarabrowning/whos-gonna-be-my-king?si=e95c961d64c34c798ce64a06d2c3c767).  One of the many delights of hearing it was that, from their garden, you can clearly hear a blackbird singing, almost as if he or she were somehow joining in with them. I’d written the original as a lament to my late brother Bri and every element of Barbara & Imre's version resonated so deeply that it stuck in my mind for quite some time. 

In the early Summer, the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement was beginning to receive some rather  negative press reaction, something that was, to me, entirely and unforgivably misplaced.  Whenever I listened to B & I's version of ‘King', the feelings I still harboured about how unfair and undeserved Bri’s death had been somehow became intertwined with those I was having about the criticism the ‘BLM’ movement was receiving. 

So that was how this song came to be written.  I realise it’s just a cathartic exercise, one that isn’t going to change the world, merely being something I felt needed saying.  What I do know is that it’s a song that I love to sing because I mean every word.

It has been said so many times in these descriptions just how amazing a musician Hans Albers is and with this song he surpassed himself by producing four different versions from the demo I’d sent, all different and all completely wonderful.  Hans had written a tune called ‘Werewolf’ some years before which had a very similar chord structure and he  experimented to see if the two would fit together.  As things turned out, they were a perfect match, which is why we chose to post the version we have.  We hope you enjoy it.  (Terry Reeves)

A mirror image of many things seen before 
Reflecting faces behind slow closing doors
Asking questions to those who lived before
To those who lived before

Time to move forward and statues to ignore 
Duplications of fears hoping to leave all behind
No more chains, No more chains, No more chains 
To holdback opinions of kind 

I heard The Blackbird sing (x 4)

A birthplace of distance not to forget in mind
Born on one planet to help one planet rewind
Change of scenery distance and hopeful contrast 
The reality of truth in time can never be too fast 

No secret should be held of any slavery plan
Celebrating in marble supporting political scams
Family riches remain controlled in Buckingham 
No apologies given rejecting any honest exam

I hear The Blackbird sing (x 4)

What happens when clones repeat living past
Historical opinions keep a discriminating cast
Change of scenery distance and hopeful contrast 
The reality of truth in time can never be too fast

I hear The Blackbird sing (x 4)

BLACKBIRD SING (Feat. The Werewolf Orchestra) - CRIPPLE CLUB & HANS ALBERS

A song about mixed feelings around coming home.

Lyrics:
Home for three days just a short stay
Just enough time to do my washing and
Phone a few friends for a few words
Catch up on all the sleep I’ve been missing then
Write a postcard to a friend in pain
Home for three days—I’m back again

Home for three days, take a bath and shave
Shake the dust from my body and
All the thoughts of foreign ways
Laid to rest in my memory
Listen to an old song with a close friend
Home for three days—wish they’d never end

Home for three days and my turn
To wash the stairs and sweep the alleyway
Join the dole queue, pay the fuel bill
Find my room’s in such a state again
Grey and chilly skies, nights drawing in
Home for three days—where to begin

Home for three days, back in old ways
Troubles resurfacing, walls need plastering
Home for three days, happy anyway
In three days time, I’ll leave it all behind again…

Win Hill

Download

Home for Three Days

KNIFELIKE

Spring, though a season, is also a metaphor of new beginnings.  This tune is a celebration of all things Spring:)

Spring Will Come

'Clouded Vision' is an instrumental Fusion track

Clouded Vision

'The Path To The Secret Doorway (Feat. Georg Boehme)' This has been a tremendous musical journey with Georg. And for me, a very special one. Georg's wind arrangements are nothing less than sublime and it's just been an honour for me, sharing this journey with him.
The "Path" is the music and behind the "Secret Doorway" .....well that's the secret, isn't it?
I hope you enjoy this piece and look forward to hearing any thoughts you may have after listening to it, should you have the time or inclination to leave them in the comments.

The Path To the Secret Doorway

The Path To The Secret Doorway (Feat. Georg Boehme)

Landscape of the Soul.

Hey there! My first OST in a bit, hope you like the calm vibe I was going for!

FC - Frosted Cavern (OST)

Sensation Returning

It's not easy, but you choose to rise and take on the day with realistic optimism


I Can Do This

January

I am a finger-style guitarist living on the Texas high plains.  At the core of my music is melody that is inspired and informed by my Christian faith, family, friends, and countless influences through the years from the great composers, to jazz, folk, rock, Latin, Celtic, and the many fine musicians I have come to love on the Cloud, some I have been privileged to collaborate with.  Thanks for stopping by to have a listen. Comments are always welcome. Feel free to click on the picture of any track to learn more about it.

Spring Will Come

David Dunham