Lllibulero probably started as an Irish jig.  The name Lillibulero is probably a reference to the 18th Century astrologer, William Lilly, who predicted a victory that did not happen.  The melody I use is based on the one made popular by Purcell. Lilli has had many uses down the ages.  In the 19th Century, regiments of the US army used it as a marching tune during the civil war.   Perhaps its best use was by the BBC who began using it during the Second World War -- most famously as the signature tune to the news on the BBC World Service.  This version is loosely based on the arrangement by Hans Jorgen Messerschmidt for horn, trumpet and euphonium, although I have made a great many changes and added many parts. It is offered as a thank you to all those journalists who have carried on the BBC's tradition of unbiased, high quality honest news.

Variations on Lillibullero

Variations on Lillibulero

REVISED VERSION This is the first movement of my Gaian symphony.  It begins with a message from the last man  alive sometime in the future: the Earth is dead along with Gaia, the Olympian Goddess who created and sustained it.   The sender of the message asks the Olympian Gods to remember Gaia, and slowly the music gives to a sense of wonder at all that she has achieved.

Gaian Symphonie Pt 1

Symphonie for a Mac No 2. Pt 1: The Message

The second of three parts of a gentile piece of music inspired by a walk on a sunny day in Spring.

Incidental Music for a Walk 2

Incidental Music for a Walk Pt 2

The last of three parts of a gentile piece of music inspired by a walk on a sunny day in Spring.

Incidental Music for a Walk 3

Incidental Music for a Walk Pt 3

Come to Me

Blaydon Races Techno Remix

Blaydon Races Techno Mix

This track is dedicated to my partner who made me a mug of hot chocolate while working on this.

Chocolate Milk Made with Love

Magnus Alternative Mix

Magnus Alternative Version

This started out as a remix of track I made last year but ended up being completely different. It contains some variations on the tune by Robbie Burns.   This is the second reissued version (29 NOv 2022).  I wasn't happy with my first two attempts.

Auld Lang Syne 2022 Remix

Auld Lang Syne 2022 Remix NEW VERSION

Just what it says: an extended versionof a Spendid Day

A Splendid Day Extended Version

A Splendid Day EXTENDED Version

A remix of Tenerife Spring.   I was experimenting with different sound designs and mastering techniques,

Tenerife Spring Remix

i think this is the best version of this track.  It was inspired by images of firefighters, special military units and others -- including volunteers -- who've been fighting the forest fires in Tenerife and elsewhere. I, like many others,  am grateful that in this world there are people who risk their lives in service to their communities.   The singer is a software artifact, created and polished using several different programmes.

The Smile Sexy Brave ALTERNATIVE REMIX

This track incorporates the simple opera singer from Fluffy Audio, a library that features the voice of the fantastic soprano,Ji Min Oh.

Moonlit Dance

I wanted to do something different.   This is what came out.  I hope you enjoy it?

Are You Free?

Sometimes the journey to the bar in my favourite disco has all the complexity of a journey through hyperspace — but once you negotiate all the hazards, there’s the wonderful person to serve you drinks. Recently it was a very nice person called Samantha..This track  is for her:

Planet Samantha

He Stole a Kiss (Alternative Mix)

The Kiss Alternative MIx

I’ve used the same chord progression as the Kiss, but this track includes a vocal phrase downloaded from Splice;  I’ve written a new melody to go along with it and changed the Kick drums and snares as well as a new Choral part.

Where Did You Go Orchestral Mix

I thought it would be nice to experiment once more with an Opera voice, using Fluffy Audio’s Simple Opera Singer and put it to a techno beat.  This is the result. This track is free to download.  (128 bpm  F#Minor)  (Updated version with a cleaner intro)

Dancing to the Rhythm of the Universe

I wrote the tune for Dancing with Friends a few years ago.  This is the third attempt I’ve made at turning it into a dance track, and I feel it’s finally close to the way I’ve always wanted it to be.    The original version was inspired by memories of wonderful nights out at Heaven in London during the AIDS epidemic when we partied hard to forget the horror around us.   This version is for friends past and present, gay and straight, for those who are still with us and those who are not.   I hope the love sustains you.    (128 bpm G Major)

Dancing with Friends International Version

I like to combine orchestral instruments with synths and other electronic instruments. My main criteria is that it has to sound beautiful and express love and joy for life.  This particular track was written after the death of a close friend, Sally-Anne, who added a lot of joy to the lives of many people.

When the Stars Align

I happen to live in a very beautiful place surrounded by people with beautiful souls. For me it’s been a place where I have been able to give free rein to my creativity.  In this track I imagine the place as having a mysterious quality that calls out to all who would listen.   This is the second slightly revised version that I’ve posted — to improve the drums and remove a bit of unwanted phasing.

Something is Calling You

New Version REISSUE 1

I think this track doesn’t quite make it.. so I’ll have another go at it on a few months..


I  originally published a version of this track a year ago.  The new track features completely new  kicks and percussion.  I also rewrote every other part.  It also has new instruments and a refreshed sound design.  I have added new intro explaining what the track is about — how the story of the constellations is linked to the beginnings of human civilisation along with lots of fx and transitions.  It is a celebration of hope.  

I reissued this a few hours after publishing the new version  altering the mix slightly to bring down the drums increasing the part played by the orchestra and choir.

BEACONS of HOPE NEW VERSION

This track is built around a clip of Hatti (Hattie Murdoch) that I found on Splice.  It’s the first time I’ve used a real human in my music.  The original clip was recorded at 140 bpm but I’ve slowed her down to 124 bpm and in places 62bpm.  I have also used Celemony to alter the notes of one phrase and have slightly reordered the original musical phrasing.    She has a wonderful voice, full of emotion. I hope those elements that I’ve contributed do her justice.   The whispering is by another artist. 

When I Feel It in My Bones

This is a laid back piece inspired by the Shakespeare Sonnet, Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day.  Originally I had planned to include the sonnet as a voice track but it just did not work: the juxtaposition of early modern English with a house beat was just silly.  You can still hear the tune I wrote for it though.    (Note this a slightly revised mix of the original track)

Shall I compare thee?

This is the latest version of Beacons of Hope  (Dec 2024).  The previous version, the New Mix, was a bit of a flop.  This version is a bit livelier — I’ve dropped the speech elements, pulled back the drums, increased the other percussions and let the orchestral elements shine through.  I’ll leave the old new version up but I hope this one fares better.    

Beacons of Hope Alternative Mix

This track is for Andrés and for Mo and Ed in recognition of their encouragement.  

It’s about the simple pleasures of friendship that make life worth living!

This track is built around a few spoken phrases found on Splice.  It starts in G Major and then goes round the circle of fifths, ending up at E major.  128 bpm.  I’ve tried to create a relaxed but danceable vibe.  Let me know if you like it or would do anything differently!

What is this Pleasure?

REISSUED WITH LESS REVERB ON BASSLINE & DROPPING THE CHOIR

This is the second track of my Simple Complexities project.  It starts off with a long intro in F# Maj changing to C# Maj later in the piece.  It goes Intro-> Verse 1->Chorus-> Verse2->Chorus->Reprise and Outro.  Each section has its own distinct Melody.

It’s a bit long at 8.25 but  the long outro can easily be cut short.  130 BPM.

The piece was inspired by a conversation about not taking life for granted. So it's dedicated to you Martin!

All comments welcome.

Mortality

I changed the way I put tracks together in an attempt to create a more interesting sound, in particular the percussion section.  At the end of the day, I’m not sure if it worked because I ended up simplyfing everything. I think this is the best of several versions of the track.  This is for Dor!

Adoration Chill Mix

Simiiar to original Chill Mix but with more emphatic kicks

Adoration House Mix

This track is for Dave in memory of Phil. 

Phil Greasley was at one time a DJ at the Dog and Fox, a West London bar that held gay discos on Sunday afternoons.  He was a kind and generous man.

Phil had a very naughty sense of humour which he used to great effect in his daytime job: he was a warrior for social justice, with Galop, the gay community group that worked tirelessly to turn London’s police forces from organisations that were indifferent or hostile to the needs of the gay community to  ones we could depend upon.   We owe him a great debt.  

He died in March 2025, after a long battle with cancer.

Deep in Our Soul

For Peter.  This is a rearranging of the traditional English folk tune, Blaydon Races with some additional music in the long introduction and between the two verses.  This ia a gentle chill version set to a house beat.  

Variations on Blaydon Races House Mix

This is a track about a tabby that lives near me.  His favourite activity is lying on a wall in the sun, demanding belly rubs from humans and ambushing innocent dogs that dare to use the path below his wall.

Lord Felix

My music is about gratitude for life.  Always learning.   Message me on Insta @mikeywikeywo   Feel free to comment.   Based in Tenerife, Spain.  Thank you.

Mi música es sobre gratitud de por vida. Siempre aprendiendo. Mensadme en Insta @mikeywikeywo Siéntete libre de comentar. Basado en Tenerife en las Islas Canarias. Gracias.

Ma musique parle de gratitude pour la vie. Toujours apprendre. Message-moi sur Insta @mikeywikeywo N'hésitez pas à commenter. Basé à Tenerife dans les îles Canaries. Je vous remercie.

La mia musica è di gratitudine per la vita. Imparare sempre. Messaggio me su Insta @mikeywikeywo Sentiti libero di commentare. Con sede a Tenerife nelle Isole Canarie. Grazie.

Mike Workman

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