Here is something quite different. :-)  

I've been messing around with Blender 2.92.0 and specifically the 2D Animation feature. One of the add-ons to Blender allows you to import 2D images as planes so I created a little character called Vector Owl and then I needed to create  some music to go with the animated intro, all of 10 seconds in length.

If you want to see the completed animation it's on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qScmOz-YdaQ

Instrumentation Used

Piccolo / Sousaphone / French Horn / Trombone / Woodblocks / Celtic Harp / Upright Bass

The sound of a Tawney Owl that is classed as Public Domain is used at the end of the track was sourced from www.freesound.org and is classed as Public Domain.

( creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)

Music for my animated project Vector Owl

"A musical vision of Spring, a time of renewal and growth. From out of the cold ground comes a promise of warmer days. Then April showers herald an explosion of life, shorter nights and lighter days full of the sound of birdsong. As the season moves on, there is a slowing of change as Summer draws near."

Description

Spring, finds me trying to express, in music, my feelings about this season. Below is a attempt at doing this in words too. This is the third of four orchestral pieces that describe the four temperate seasons of the year.

If you want to hear the other pieces from the series "The Wheel Turns" after listening to this piece, the links are here :-

https://soundcloud.com/mrbouzouki/sets/the-wheel-turns

The Wheel Turns Orchestral Suite - YouTube playlist.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQkE1sMc-t1sixu4RmJmjyFr0HF6dnUF2

---------------------------------------------------------------
Spring
The waiting is over. The Winter chill recedes and there is a tacit acceptance to the demands of birth and rebirth. A sign of fresh green poking through the ground is a welcome sight, a simple signal that all will be well.

Very quickly, in a sudden rush, there is life in the hedgerows and the sound of birds heralding a new season. One of life and growth and warmer days and rainy times, but overall a feeling of hope.

You have longed for this moment, a chance to put away your Winter clothes and feel the sun upon your face again. The riot of change will continue as the life-giving sun takes longer marches through the sky.

Spring of all seasons is a time to revel in simply feeling alive. 

---------------------------------------------------------------
Instrumentation

Con Sordino Strings (Albion One - Spitfire)
Viola Ensemble (Chris Hein Strings)
Viola Ensemble Pizzicato Loose (Chris Hein Strings)
Cello Ensemble (Chris Hein Strings)
Solo Cello (Chris Hein Strings)
Solo(1826 Old)Violin (Chris Hein Strings)
Alto Flute (Chris Hein Winds)
Piccolo (Chris Hein Winds)
English Horn (Chris Hein Winds)
Barock Bassoon (Chris Hein Winds)
Bb Clarinet (Chris Hein Winds)
French Horn (Chris Hein Brass)
French Horn Ensemble(Chris Hein Brass)
Trombone (Chris Hein Brass)
Tuba (Chris Hein Brass)
Bell Tree (Flying Hands Percussion)
Triangle (Kontakt Factory Library)
Concert Harp (Garritan Personal Orchestra 5)

I really wanted a lightness to this piece and it took me a while of tweaking to get what I heard in my head. I didn't want it to sound like Autumn, or Summer, both weightier seasons, but not as thin and austere as Winter. So this piece is mostly woodwinds and strings with hardly any percussion

I didn't need bottom-end, I needed more focus in the melody interaction and there was a missing link. It needed to be light and airy and what else says light and airy like the harp. After about a day working on the harp part it started to give the feel I wanted. The harp glissandi were useful as bookends to the section it features in. 

The piece begins with an echo of Winter and the bell tree, the piccolo and alto flute describe the first signs of growth before giving way to pizzicato strings of April Showers. The harp section is a semi-formal counterpoint section with the harp melody inter-woven with the solo violin in my attempt to describe the rapid growth of the Season. The final section brings in the brass and is a calmer end to the piece that hints at the glory of Summer just around the corner.

Spring

"A musical vision of Summer, a time of warmth, light and fun. A time to live life to the full and enjoy all that mother nature has to offer. As the season moves on, the solstice reminds us that the warmth and light cannot last as we start to head into Autumn"

Description

Summer, finds me trying to express, in music, my feelings about this season. Below is a attempt at doing this in words too. This is chronologically the forth and final of my orchestral pieces that describe the four temperate seasons of the year.

If you want to hear the other pieces from the series "The Wheel Turns" after listening to this piece, the links are here :-

https://soundcloud.com/mrbouzouki/sets/the-wheel-turns

The Wheel Turns Orchestral Suite - YouTube playlist.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQkE1sMc-t1sixu4RmJmjyFr0HF6dnUF2

---------------------------------------------------------------
Summer
The days grow longer, the nights shorter, as the golden ball we call the sun parades in all it's glory.This is a time for living life to the full, a time of happiness, a time of pleasure and excess.

At the solstice, some people still give thanks to the life giving orb upon which we all depend. For we know this moment cannot last, the majesty will fade, the warmth will falter, the party will end.

With threadbare days and darker nights the proud display of Summer flowers starts to fade. The heat can be oppressive, at times there is a chill in the air and Nature herself seems finally quiescent.

We will carry those memories of days on the beach or at the park in our hearts forever. Those days of fun.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Instrumentation

Con Sordino Strings (Albion One - Spitfire)
Ensemble Strings Mid Octave (Chris Hein Strings)
Viola Ensemble (Chris Hein Strings)
Cello Ensemble (Chris Hein Strings)
Bass Ensemble (Chris Hein Strings)
Solo(1826 Old)Violin (Chris Hein Strings)
Alto Flute (Chris Hein Winds)
C Flute (Chris Hein Winds)
Piccolo (Chris Hein Winds)
English Horn (Chris Hein Winds)
Barock Bassoon (Chris Hein Winds)
Trumpet Ensemble (Chris Hein Brass)
French Horn (Chris Hein Brass)
French Horn Ensemble(Chris Hein Brass)
Trombone (Chris Hein Brass)
Tuba (Chris Hein Brass)
Cymbal (Albion One - Spitfire)
Bass Drum (Kontakt Factory Library)
Concert Harp (Garritan Personal Orchestra 5)
Timpani (Kontakt Factory Library and Garritan Personal Orchestra 5)

This piece evolved into 5 different thematic viewpoints that I labelled up to give an insight into the composition.

1)Grand Intro ... Sunrise / The Majesty of the Sun
2)Summer Promenade / The Beauty of Life
3)Summer Fun / The Bandstand
4)Balmy Days / Sultry Nights
5)A Fading Glory / The Last Hurrah

The piece commences with a Summer sunrise and the sound of French horn and alto flute before the brass heralds the glory of the sun with a fanfare . 

Next is the introduction of the main Summer promenade theme which reflects on the glory of a Summers day before a quieter section featuring solo violin and a bit of flute in the beauty of life.

A harp glissando heralds a change of pace and mood as harp and flute hint at children playing in the park before a brief visit to a quintessentially English band-stand, complete with brass band and thumping bass drum.

Balmy days / Sultry nights introduces the listener to the fading grandeur of Summer, a more melancholic line from the English horn acting as a counterpoint to a slower version of the earlier promenade theme. 

Finally the piece ends with a last hurrah for Summer as a wistful line and rolled timpani hint at the onset of Autumn. A final bit of pomp with timpani and brass completes the piece. 

It was quite a task to fit all that imagery into  four minutes of music but overall I think it works. :-)

Summer

An orchestral suite comprising four orchestral pieces that describe the four temperate seasons of the year. The project title is a nod to the cyclical nature of the seasons. The words below acted as a catalyst for the music.

This is the full suite or four pieces with a running time of 16 mins 20 seconds. 

The Wheel Turns Project - YouTube playlist.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQkE1sMc-t1sixu4RmJmjyFr0HF6dnUF2

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spring

The waiting is over. The Winter chill recedes and there is a tacit acceptance to the demands of birth and rebirth. A sign of fresh green poking through the ground is a welcome sight, a simple signal that all will be well.

Very quickly, in a sudden rush, there is life in the hedgerows and the sound of birds heralding a new season. One of life and growth and warmer days and rainy times, but overall a feeling of hope.

You have longed for this moment, a chance to put away your Winter clothes and feel the sun upon your face again. The riot of change will continue as the life-giving sun takes longer marches through the sky.

Spring of all seasons is a time to revel in simply feeling alive.

P Goodrich - January 2021

Summer

The days grow longer, the nights shorter, as the golden ball we call the sun parades in all it's glory. This is a time for living life to the full, a time of happiness, a time of pleasure and excess.

At the solstice, some people still give thanks to the life giving orb upon which we all depend. For we know this moment cannot last, the majesty will fade, the warmth will falter, the party will end.

With threadbare days and darker nights the proud display of Summer flowers starts to fade. The heat can be oppressive, at times there is a chill in the air and Nature herself seems finally quiescent.

We will carry those memories of days on the beach or at the park in our hearts forever. Those days of fun.

P Goodrich - April 2021

Autumn

The majesty of Summer has now faded. Leaves, once so green, now a myriad of fading colours as Mother Nature withdraws her life-giving hand.

The weather is changing too. Strong winds and blustery days jostle with times of calm reflection, as you take a little wander through the woods.

The squirrels are busy, as are the birds, as some prepare for darker times whilst others set forth on their migrant flights.

For nature knows, whilst man often forgets, that change is in the air.

P Goodrich - Oct 2020

Winter

As you travel deep into the heart of Winter,life slowly withdraws for a time. Not defeated, just resting for a while. New life will be reborn as the nights get shorter after the solstice.

But for now, you walk out into it's heart and reflect on the austere beauty this season brings. Water frozen over and castles made of ice. A fellow traveller hunched against the cold nods as you walk by.

The magic of Christmas quickly fades into the chill of the New Year. A time of renewal and vows of friendship and peace.

Nature is holding it's breath, ready to be be reborn with the light of the sun.

P Goodrich - Dec 2018

The Wheel Turns Orchestral Suite (Full Suite)

This is the first track of a new instrumental project I've entitled "It's All Greek to Me", as I explore the myths and legends of Ancient Greece. 

I'm using Ancient Greek instruments featured in the 'Ancient Worlds VST Library from Big Fish Audio', underpinned with classical orchestral instruments.  There are some very interesting sounds in it that do seem to evoke a time long ago. 

Since the project is based around some of the myths and legends of Ancient Greece, I wanted a generic opening track that would introduce the listener to some of the sounds and set an overall tone for the project. I really wanted a different feel from a typical 'all guns blazing' modern film score since it isn't accompanying live action but is hopefully a piece in its own right. 

So a piece with the title "A Time of Heroes" seemed like a good idea to kick off the project. :-)

Instrumentation Used

Lyre - it was one of the most important and well-known stringed instruments of Greek Antiquity.

Kithara - this was considered the “professional” instrument of antiquity, and the public highly regarded kithara players.

Kavali - this is a chromatic end-blown flute traditionally played throughout Armenia, the Balkans, Greece, and Turkey. 

Flogera - is a type of flute used in Greek folk music. It is a simple end-blown bamboo flute without a fipple, which is played by directing a narrow air stream against its sharp, open upper end. It typically has seven finger holes.

Water Pumpkins - also called “Water Drums” these instruments can be found in Africa (Mali) and other continents. Water Pumpkins are played with the hands or with soft mallets. They usually come in pairs and have a diameter of 32 - 36 cm. The deeper bowl is filled with water, the smaller one is set on the water. The pitch of the water drums can be tuned by changing the water level inside the floating shell.

Antique Cymbals - are the ancestors of the modern metal cymbals. During the Minoan period, they arrived on the island of Crete from Asia.

Pan Flute - this is an ancient instrument, associated with the demigod Pan, who was the protector of the woods and the shepherds. Variations of the instrument used a number between three and eighteen pipes. The classic Greek Pan Flute used pipes of the same length. 

In addition to the ancient instruments above the track also features :-

Orchestral CS Strings (Albion One - Spitfire)
Viola Ensemble (Piz and Long)(Chris Hein Strings)
Cello Ensemble (Piz and Long)(Chris Hein Strings)
Bass Ensemble Piz and Long)(Chris Hein Strings)
French Horn Ensemble (Chris Hein Brass)
Trombone Ensemble (Chris Hein Brass)
Tuba (Chris Hein Brass)
Bb Clarinet (Chris Hein Winds)
Snare Drum (VSL Big Bang Orchestra | Quasar)
XXL Percussion(Albion One - Spitfire)
St Peter's Choir (Halion 6)

A Time Of Heroes (It's All Greek to Me)

This is the second track of an instrumental project I've entitled "It's All Greek to Me", as I explore the myths and legends of Ancient Greece.

I'm using Ancient Greek instruments featured in the 'Ancient Worlds VST Library from Big Fish Audio', underpinned with classical orchestral instruments. There are some very interesting sounds in it that do seem to evoke a time long ago.

Background

According to Greek mythology, Sirens were dangerous creatures, who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and singing voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island. Despite modern iconography depicting the Sirens as mermaids, early Greek art depicted them as part woman, part bird.

For this piece a Greek galley is introduced with a steady drum pulse and some Greek instruments to set the scene. We start with the Pan Flute supported by the Strings (Lyre and Kithara). Cymbal rolls represent the waves. The melody then passes to the Flogera and Alto Flute and a lone Siren voice before all three make an appearance. From then on they all act in counterpoint to each other. 

As the Sirens continue to charm the sailors, the Samvyke is introduced (another stringed instrument) as a sort of controlled tension that slowly gets a bit more frantic as the track starts to build. French Horns and Percussion herald the full fury of the Sirens unleashed on the luckless sailors. Helpless to resist, their boat is dashed upon the rocks. 

As the ship begins to break up on the rocky shore the track goes much smaller with a mournful solo cello, supported by the other strings. I wanted a melancholic ending  and the descending figure is supposed to represent the sinking of the boat alongside an almost funeral drum pulse, it just leads down and down into the depths of the sea. More lives have been lost to this peril of the ancient world.

Instrumentation Used

Greek Stringed Instruments - Lyre, Kithara, Samvyke
Greek Wind Instruments - Kavali, Flogera, Pan Flute 
Greek Percussion - Bendir

In addition to the ancient instruments above the track also features :-

Orchestral CS Strings (Albion One - Spitfire)
Violin Ensemble (Octave Long)(Chris Hein Strings)
Viola Ensemble (Octave Long and Flautando)(Chris Hein Strings)
Cello Ensemble (Long)(Chris Hein Strings)
Bass Ensemble (Octave Long)(Chris Hein Strings)
Solo Cello (Chris Hein Strings)
Alto Flute (Chris Hein Winds)
French Horn Ensemble (Chris Hein Brass)
Trombone Ensemble (Chris Hein Brass)
Tuba (Chris Hein Brass)

'The Sirens' - Shevannai vocal library (Eduardo Tarilonte)

XXL Percussion(Albion One - Spitfire)
Rolled Cymbals (Albion One - Spitfire)
St Peter's Choir (Halion 6)
Boat Breaking FX (Halion 6)

The Sirens (It's All Greek to Me)

The Half Open Door - To Go Beyond

The door is ajar,
a simple push is all it takes,
but dare you step through ?

Heroes, poets and fools have forever wondered
if a new world awaits you ...

through the half open door

MrBouzouki - Oct 2021

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Background
This track appeared as a result of some words in October 2021 that followed on from a similar set of words from 2020. In both cases, they acted as a catalyst for a relatively short orchestral piece piece. So now I have a new series to develop over time entitled 'Metaphysical'.

Again, I feel they are suggesting reaching out to explore the space beyond everyday experience. We really do not know what is on the other side of so many things, trapped by our senses and time itself. But are we  ..... lol

Metaphysical Playlist
https://soundcloud.com/mrbouzouki/sets/metaphysical
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Instrumentation
Viola - Chris Hein Strings
Cello - Chris Hein Strings
High Strings Ens - Chris Hein Strings 
Alto Flute - Chris Hein Winds
Bassoon - Chris Hein Winds  
Concert Harp and Harp Harmonics - GPO5 (Garritan)
St Peter's Choir - Halion 6
Ymir Choir - VSL - Big Band Orchestra

The Half Open Door - To Go Beyond

This was an unexpected piece to round off another year after the acquisition of the wonderful VSL YMIR children's choir library. Well what can you do except compose a piece using it ;-)

Given the time of year a seasonal piece made sense and once I had a title then I was away. I also took the opportunity to practice orchestral wooshes (they are a thing). The ones in this piece comprise a cymbal roll, a timpani roll and a harp gliss.  

Many of the instruments employed here like glockenspiel and tubular bells are popular in this type of music and obviously sleigh bells make an appearance. I took the liberty of quoting 'Deck the Halls' in some places too.

I wanted a dream sequence in the middle of the piece which is mainly choir and alto flute, although the glockenspiel and percussion makes an appearance. It acts as a nice contrast to the general festive sleigh ride feel. 

Wishing you 'The Compliments of the Yuletide Season' :-)

Photo by Tobias Bjørkli from Pexels

Instrumentation
Ensemble Strings Mixed  - Chris Hein Strings
Ensemble Strings Violin  - Chris Hein Strings
Ensemble Strings Viola (Sus Vib)  - Chris Hein Strings
Ensemble Strings Viola (Pizz Tight) - Chris Hein Strings 
Ensemble Strings Cello - Chris Hein Strings
Ensemble Strings Bass - Chris Hein Strings 
Alto Flute - Chris Hein Winds
English Horn - Chris Hein Winds 
French Horn - Chris Hein Winds 
French Horn Ensemble - Chris Hein Brass
Trombone Ensemble - Chris Hein Brass
Euphonium - Chris Hein Brass
Tuba - Chris Hein Brass 
Vibraphone - VSL - Big Bang Orchestra 
Glockenspiel - VSL - Big Bang Orchestra 
Sleigh Bells - Big Fish Audio / Fracture Sounds 
Cymbal Rolls - Albion One 
Timpani Rolls and Strikes - VSL - Big Band Orchestra
Tubular Bells - VSL - Big Bang Orchestra 
Concert Harp and Harp Harmonics - GPO5 (Garritan)
St Peter's Choir - Halion 6
YMIR Choir - VSL - Big Band Orchestra

A Yuletide Dream

I'm excited to upload my first SoundCloud collaboration with guitarist and blues-meister Alan Wood. It was one of those moments where hearing a tune leads to a melody and then words.  I contacted Alan who was gracious in letting me embellish his acoustic playing with my lyrics and  vocals over the top. This is the end result.

Be sure to check out Alan's SoundCloud page @a-wood for more of Al's own music and collaborations.

Cheers Bro, I literally couldn't have done it without you :-)

The original guitar only track that inspired me is here 

https://soundcloud.com/a-wood/did-you-always-know-you-were-the-one

Lyrics 

Did you always know you were the one
making me happy when you're near
You brighten the dark days with a smile
Did you always know you were the one

Did you always know you were the one
A girl and a boy born of love
Lover, wife, mother and friend
Did you always know you were the one

Did you always know you were the one
lifting me up, making dreams fly
Giving peace to a restless mind
Did you always know you were the one

Did you always know you were the one
When you first saw me way back when
Just a shy smile, that's how it began
Did you always know you were the one

Did you always know you were the one
Even though the years have passed us by
Counting our blessings every day
Did you always know you were the one

Did You Always Know You Were The One (collaboration A Wood)

On the 25th February 2016, an idea came into my head for a song involving the concept of a lighthouse in space. What would it be like to be in the back of beyond, all alone in deep space? 

Lyrics followed and then musical ideas involving orchestration to denote the expanse of space and incorporating strings and  brass mixed together with synthesizers and electric guitar.

Just over 1.5 years later (560 days), this 16.5 minute monster is finally ready.  This track has acted for me as an apprenticeship in recording, mixing and simple mastering. The original rough demo was completed by December 2016 but final construction only truly began in January 2017, with everything being re-recorded. 

The track itself isn't particularly lyric heavy, with instrumental sections very much in keeping with a larger Prog Rock piece. Since it is quite long at 16.5 minutes I suggest listeners settle down and hopefully lose themselves  in Deep Space for a while.  :-)

There is now a YouTube video to go with this track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVP11ZIN1f4

The story of the Lighthouse Keeper will continue with four more songs planned. Check out the project website or Facebook page for more details.

** A big shout- out to Len Rice for guidance and encouragement during the recording of this  track. (You taught me how to listen critically and got me up to speed with some technical stuff) Cheers :-) 

https://soundcloud.com/lenrice

Lighthouse Keeper

One of the great things about SoundCloud is hearing a track and being inspired to want to add to what you've just heard. This happened to me with the haunting instrumental "After The Bomb" by @clive-hawkins.

https://soundcloud.com/clive-hawkins/after-the-bomb

Clive had posted the line "let us not forget the consequences............of unleashing weapons of mass destruction!", and that comment, coupled with listening to his moody track, had me writing the complete lyrics inspired by his music in about 1.5 hours.

I approached Clive, who liked them and graciously allowed me to go away and add my vocals to his instrumental backdrop. I didn't want to add further instrumentation and mess with the overall feel of the song, but I thought it was a great opportunity to try out different vocal techniques and try and keep the listener interested in the story for over six minutes.

Thanks Clive for letting me add to your work :-)

As a follow-up to this song you can watch this movie on the Internet Archive, produced in 1969 about the Hiroshima-Nagasaki bombs of 1945. Some of the imagery is not for the faint-hearted.

https://archive.org/details/hiroshimanagasakiaugust1945

Production Notes

In addition to myself singing the main vocal line and male harmony parts, it also features my wife doing an Alto harmony in places. Additional VST vocals are added thanks to Garritan Personal Orchestra 'choir samples' and an additional backing line is from the Soundiron 'Voices of Gaia' collection featuring the vocal talents of Linda Strawberry.

========================================================
Lyrics

After The Bomb - Clive Hawkins Track (P Goodrich 22/01/2018)

One World, One Tribe
One Fate, One Life
Two Sides, Too Late
Just What Have We Done

Dead Streets, Dead Lives
Dead Seas, Dark Skies
We've Gone, Too Far
Ohhhh We've Lost It All

(C)
And The People Cried As One
With The Firing Of The Gun
Too Late For Second Thoughts
Too Late For All Of Us

No Race, No Faith,
No News, No Lies
Past Ways, Past Lives
They're Over and Done

Dark Days, Dark Times
Dark Deeds, Dark Minds
No Hope, All Gone
We've Nowhere To Run

C)
And The People Cried As One
With The Firing Of The Gun
Too Late For Second Thoughts
Too Late For All Of Us

(quiet section)

No Rest, No Sleep
No Love, Just Hate
Dull Hearts, Dead Minds
The Future It’s Gone

One World, One Tribe
One Fate, One Life
Two Sides, Too Late
Oh What Have We Done

(C)
And The People Cried As One
With The Firing Of The Gun
Too Late For Second Thoughts
Too Late For All Of Us

One World, One Tribe
(Ad Lib)
We’ve Nowhere To Run
(Final Whispered) After The Bomb ... After The Bomb

After The Bomb (collaboration C Hawkins)

Lindisfarne has always held a special fascination for my wife and I, so it is no surprise to me that I would eventually create some music about it. Hopefully you can be swept away by the music but not the tide ;-)

This track is now the first track of the "The Pilgrims Way Project" exploring the history and natural world of Lindisfarne 

Project Playlist 

https://soundcloud.com/mrbouzouki/sets/the-pilgrims-way-project

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Instrumentation
The Pilgrims Way Instrumental features Low Whistle, coupled with the sound of strings and the wheeling of seagulls overhead. It also features Shevvanai Voice of the Elves VST. (Lara Ausensi) 

"Flock of Seagulls by juskiddink (5th June 2010) licensed under creative commons attribution licence via https://freesound.org

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/



Thanks to Redmando, Leonard Scaper and the Songwriters in the Kitchen Forum for the spark
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Background
Ever since 635, when King Oswald gave the Holy Island of Lindisfarne to St Aidan to establish his monastery, the island has been a place of pilgrimage. The road was not constructed until 1954 and until then the vertical poles were the only indicators of the safe route between the mainland and island. The sight of the poles stretching across the sand and mud is one of the most iconic views in Northumberland and to walk the route away from the road and follow in the footsteps of our medieval ancestors is a wonderful experience.

The Pilgrims Way

"A furore Normannorum libera nos, Domine - From the fury of the Northmen deliver us, O Lord"

This track is now part of "The Pilgrims Way Project" exploring the history and natural world of Lindisfarne

Project Playlist

soundcloud.com/mrbouzouki/sets/the-pilgrims-way-project

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Instrumentation
The Vikings! instrumental features rolled timpani, strings, electric guitar and a choir ending. Various sound FX from that are classed as Public Domain are used to add colour to the track from www.freesound.org

creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

"Flock of Seagulls" by juskiddink (5th June 2010) licensed under creative commons attribution licence via www.freesound.org

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Background
Simeon of Durham recorded the grim events of the Viking attack on Lindisfarne in 793 AD

"And they came to the church of Lindisfarne, laid everything waste with grievous plundering, trampled the holy places with polluted feet, dug up the altars and seized all the treasures of the holy church. They killed some of the brothers; some they took away with them in fetters; many they drove out, naked and loaded with insults; and some they drowned in the sea" .

The Vikings !

An Irish-tinged tune about the Lindisfarne Gospels to reflect the Irish foundations of the community despite the later Romanisation of the Celtic church. 

The track title comes from me thinking about it being a beacon of civilisation, a rallying point, during the Early Middle Ages whist a far chunk of the UK was under Viking rule and Christianity had again been pushed to the margins of the UK.

Thanks to Karen O'Mahony (MonnoDB) for her (harp playing) advice - check out her stuff here:- https://soundcloud.com/monnodb

This track is now part of "The Pilgrims Way Project" exploring the history and natural world of Lindisfarne

Project Playlist

soundcloud.com/mrbouzouki/sets/the-pilgrims-way-project

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Instrumentation
A Light in the Darkness instrumental features strings, high C whistle, harp, violin,  Uilleann pipes, bodhrán (Irish frame drum) and a choir backing.

The sound of 'Eadfrith' doing his writing is a sound FX that is classed as Public Domain and used to add colour to the track, It can be found on www.freesound.org

creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

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Background
The Lindisfarne Gospels is an illuminated manuscript gospel book probably produced around the years 715-720 in the monastery at Lindisfarne, off the coast of Northumberland, which is now in the British Library in London. The manuscript is one of the finest works in the unique style of Hiberno-Saxon or Insular art, combining Mediterranean, Anglo-Saxon and Celtic elements.

The Lindisfarne Gospels are presumed to be the work of a monk named Eadfrith, who became Bishop of Lindisfarne in 698 and died in 721 AD

A Light In The Darkness

Semi-Finalist in the Instrumental category in the UK Songwriting Contest 2018

With The North Shore I hope to give a feel of that 'magical interface' between land and sea, a place apart from the hustle and bustle of life where your soul can find peace for a while. A natural world full of wonder for those with the time and inclination to see.  

This track is now part of "The Pilgrims Way Project" exploring the history and natural world of Lindisfarne.

Project Playlist

soundcloud.com/mrbouzouki/sets/the-pilgrims-way-project

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Instrumentation
The North Shore instrumental features low whistle, DADGAD tuned acoustic guitar, strings, choir backing, violin and synthesizer

A sea waves sound FX that is classed as Public Domain is used to add colour to the track from www.freesound.org

This recording was actually done at Bamburgh, just down the coast from Lindisfarne island.

creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

"Flock of Seagulls" by juskiddink (5th June 2010) licensed under creative commons attribution licence via www.freesound.org

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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Background
The 'semi-hidden' North Shore of Lindisfarne is driven past by tourists every day, eager to see the 'sites' of the Island in their race against time before the tide cuts them off from the mainland. It is part of the Lindisfarne Natural Nature Reserve and its shifting sands and tides combine to create the 3500 hectares of dunes, saltmarsh and mudflats of the Reserve, home to a fascinating array of birdlife, seals, rare orchids and other wildlife. To experience it you need to spend time on the island, either by choosing to be cut off by an early tide or ideally stay on the island for a while.

The North Shore

This track is dedicated to the memory of Chris A and the time that was 'Elidor'. "I hope you are flying somewhere with that big grin on your face" 
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This track was very much a collision of ideas. I wanted to follow on from The North Shore and actually take the listener into the air to experience the feeling and freedom of flying like a bird. Additionally the track title "Flight of Fancy" was the title of an original instrumental  played by a band I was in in the early 80's. The keyboard player in that band is sadly no longer with us, so I decided to try and reinvent the spirit of that time as a musical tribute to Chris.  

Enjoy your Flight of Fancy :-)

This track is now part of "The Pilgrims Way Project" exploring the history and natural world of Lindisfarne.

Project Playlist

soundcloud.com/mrbouzouki/sets/the-pilgrims-way-project

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Instrumentation

(i) Sunrise (0:00 - 0:58)
Part One of the track features strings, brass from my new orchestral library Albion One by Spitfire Audio and timpani. It also includes an additional brass VST from Halion Sonic (Cubase).

(ii) The Shoreline At Dawn (0:59 - 2:28)
Part Two features Albion One Strings (muted - con sordini) and Woodwinds, Synthesizer and Electric Guitar 

(iii) Into The Air (2:29 - 6:42)
Part Three has Strings (Longs and Ostinato), Synthesizer, Electric Guitar, Bass, Drums (Simon Phillips Studio Drums in Groove Agent) and a Choir Backing. 

Various seabird sound FX that is classed as Public Domain are used to add colour to this part of the track from www.freesound.org

creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

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Background

This track seemed to naturally evolve into three discrete sections with a different musical flavour to each part.

(i) Sunrise (0:00 - 0:58)
As the title suggests, it is my musical imagining of sunrise on the beach with all the grandeur of a new day dawning. A big orchestral sound and timpani seemed the way to go.

(ii) The Shoreline At Dawn (0:59 - 2:28)
Part Two has a much more muted sound as nature begins to stir with the dawn and musically this part acts as a linking section between parts one and three. 

(iii) Into The Air (2:29 - 6:42)
Finally we are into the air and I wanted to give a feeling of flying by the use of rising chords sequences and a string ostinato (a recurring rhythmic or melodic pattern). I also wanted to give a nod to the original Flight of Fancy so it has a variation of the main guitar riff I played back in the early 80's, some interwoven guitar and keyboard parts and harmony with underlying jazzy drum and bass parts.

Flight Of Fancy

"A musical vision of Winter and the silence deep within it's heart. But there is still beauty to be found and life goes on despite the dark and the cold."

Description

My first truly orchestral composition, Winter, finds me trying to express, in music, my feelings about this season. Below is a attempt at doing this  in words too. This is the first of hopefully four orchestral pieces that describe the four temperate seasons of the year.

If you want to hear other pieces from the series "The Wheel Turns" after listening to this piece, the links are here :-

soundcloud.com/mrbouzouki/sets/the-wheel-turns

The Wheel Turns Orchestral Suite - YouTube playlist.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQkE1sMc-t1sixu4RmJmjyFr0HF6dnUF2

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Winter 
As you travel deep into the heart of Winter, life slowly withdraws for a time. Not defeated, just resting for a while. New life will be reborn as the nights get shorter after the solstice.

But for now, you walk out into it's heart and reflect on the austere beauty this season brings. Water frozen over and castles made of ice. A fellow traveller hunched against the cold nods as you walk by.

The magic of Christmas quickly fades into the chill of the New Year. A time of renewal and vows of friendship and peace.

Nature is holding it's breath, ready to be be reborn with the light of the sun.
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Instrumentation
 
Shevannai vocal library (Eduardo Tarilonte)
Con Sordino and 8ve strings (Albion One - Spitfire)
Harp Harmonics (Garritan GP05)
Piano(Halion Sonic)
Cello (Halion Sonic)
English Horn / Cor Anglais (Chris Hein Winds)
Orchestral Chimes (Garritan GPO5)

Dynamics was a key part of this composition as was tempo. The tempo slowly decreases as the track goes on to give a feeing of everything slowing down as Winter moves on. Only very subtle but its there. 

I wanted a more delicate arpeggio sound later on so the piano was replaced with harp harmonics, that gives a change of sound when I needed it.

Winter

This is probably the nearest I will ever get to creating a Christmas Song. The orchestral idea came first and then the lyrics and vocal performance.

After a year of doing quite a few instrumental tracks, it's nice to end the year with a song as lyric writing is still important to me. The words keep coming out of the 'ether' so I keep writing them down.

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Lyrics - Winter in Love - P Goodrich (Dec 2018)

Now it's Winter and the days grow shorter
At night there's a chill in the air
But the frost and the snow cannot break me
'Cause I'm in love with an angel so fair
Who entered my world on the Autumn breeze
And captured my heart with a prayer

(C)
The snow falls, from heaven above
So it's good to share Winter in Love

Now there's tinsel and lights round the fireside
And Santa's soon coming to call
And with laughter you pull on my heart-strings
With your mistletoe kiss in the hall
So we wrap up warm from those Winter nights
And when I hold you, the snow starts to fall

(C)
And the snow falls, from heaven above
So it's good to share Winter in Love
Winter in Love

(Bridge)
Oh, I'll never forget that first Winter-time
And that Snowman we made in the glade
And my hand holding yours through those days and nights
With a promise of Springs serenade
And while Summers have passed since that special time
It's still good to share Winter in Lo - o - --o - ove

(C)
The snow falls, from heaven above,
It's still good to share Winter in Love
And while the snow falls, from heaven above
It's still good to share Winter in Love
Winter in Love

Instrumentation

Con Sordino and 8ve strings (Albion One - Spitfire)
Harp Harmonics (Garritan GP05)
Woodwinds (Albion One -Spitfire)
Violin (Halion Sonic)
Choir Backing (Halion Sonic)
Synthesizer Simon Phillips Drums - Groove Agent)
Bass Guitar (Halion Sonic)

This track actually incorporates quite a few things I learnt this year:-

basic orchestral composition, better use of DAW automation and more sophisticated engineering techniques like the use of side-chained reverb. I've also realised I don't need to play guitar at all to make music.

Winter In Love

Overview

This is a piece of cinematically inspired music that grew out of a 30 seconds Composer Club (Facebook) Group challenge. Our remit was to create a Leitmotif based on 'The One Ring', from The Lord of The Rings trilogy.

Being a bit of a Tolkien fan I decided to create a piece based on the actual forging of the ring of power, to try and get the sense of power, malice and a desire to dominate condensed into this small object and the overriding sorrow of the Elves when they realised just what had been created.

The Shevvanai 'Voice of the Elves' vocal library certainly came in handy  :-)

After doing the initial 30 seconds I thought there was a bit more I could do with the idea so I went back to setting up the story. This involved trying to give a feeling of the Elves in Middle Earth and then I thought ... what I need is some of the Black Speech of Mordor, part of the ring rhyme to lead into the forging section. So I did my very best Dark Lord impression to utter the lines in the Black Speech of Mordor. 

Ash nazg durbatulûk, 
ash nazg gimbatul,
Ash nazg thrakatulûk 
agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.

One Ring to to Rule Them All
One Ring to Find Them
One Ring to Bring Them All
And in the Darkness Bind Them

I must admit is the most weird thing I've ever tracked vocally ;-)

Instrumentation

Shevannai vocal library (Eduardo Tarilonte)
Strings (8ve Long, Spiccato Shorts, CS Strings ,Nasty Brass (Albion One - Spitfire)
Harp (Garritan GP05)
St Peter's Choir Patch(Halion Sonic)
Alto Flute (Chris Hein Winds) 
Oboe (Chris Hein Winds)

The sound of working on a Blacksmiths Forge and Explosion sound FX that is classed as Public Domain is used to add colour to the track from www.freesound.org

The Ring Is Forged - The Elves Lament

This Lord of the Rings cinematically inspired orchestral track follows on the tale of the Ring of Power as it is rediscovered in the Gladden river by Déagol, who was out fishing on the Gladden river on Sméagol's birthday, after being lost for thousands of years.

Besides orchestral instrumentation and choir voices, it also features my Alto F Low Whistle in the first half of the piece and a Foley type section of Sound FX to link to the second section.

The idea was to setup an idyllic pastoral scene by a river before Déagol falls into the river whilst trying to catch a fish.  Underwater he spots a glint of gold on the riverbed and returns to the surface, clutching his prize.  In the second half of the piece, the One Ring quickly ensnares Sméagol, with fatal consequences. 

Listers of my earlier piece might notice the reoccurring Ring motif as it's malevolent power takes hold of Sméagol.
 
Instrumentation 
Alto F Low Whistle 

VST Orchestration 
Strings (8ve Long, Pizzicato Shorts,Spiccato Shorts, CS Strings ,Nasty Brass Long Tremelo(Albion One - Spitfire)
Sky Choir Patch, Timeless Choirs Patch(Halion Sonic)
Alto Flute (Chris Hein Winds)
English Horn (Chris Hein Winds)
Rolled Timpani (Garritan GP05)

Background
Déagol was a Stoor Hobbit, who lived in a small community bound by kinship ties—akin to a clan. He had a relative named Sméagol, whose grandmother was the matriarch of the community. He found the One Ring—which had been lost for thousands of years—while fishing with Sméagol in the Gladden river.

Instantly ensnared by its beauty and seductive power, Sméagol demanded the Ring as his "birthday-present". When Déagol refused to give it up, Sméagol strangled him and hid his body, which was never found; nevertheless, the murderer (nicknamed Gollum after the swallowing noises he made) was eventually driven from his home and into the Misty Mountains.

This track contains various Sound FX that are classed as Public Domain and are used to add colour to the track from www.freesound.org, in addition to home-grown vocal FX.

The Birthday Present

The surviving medieval priory Lindisfarne is the focus for this track.  The priory was re-established in Norman times in 1093 as a Benedictine house and continued until its suppression in 1536 under Henry VIII. The original priory of St Cuthbert's time was long gone by then following the location of the relics of the saint as a result of the Viking scourge. 

Inspired by "The Rainbow Arch", the track takes it's name from this surviving rib of the crossing vault that survived when the tower above it collapsed. The photo of this arch was taken on one of my visits to Lindisfarne. 

This track is now part of "The Pilgrims Way Project" exploring the history and natural world of Lindisfarne.

Project Playlist

soundcloud.com/mrbouzouki/sets/the-pilgrims-way-project

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Instrumentation

The Rainbow Arch instrumental features strings, violin, flute, a choir backing, synthesizer pad (quite Floyd -like) and uilleann pipes. There was no historical reason to use the pipes as the Irish monks were long gone. It was more to do with the mixture of sounds in this piece. It felt right to my ears. It also features my best approximation of multitracked chanting.

The Bell ringing sound FX is classed as Public Domain and is used to add colour to the track from www.freesound.org

creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

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Background

"The bell is rung for mass and the monks assemble. Whilst singing the chant they gaze up at the rainbow arch and their spirits soar."

I wanted to get inside the feeling of the monks in this holy place and was inspired by the surviving rainbow arch to do multiple parts singing the 'Kyrie Eleison' with different vocal timbres and link that into a rapture type section.

The Rainbow Arch

By Castle Walls - © P Goodrich 2019

"When Summer sun shines on your face
By Castle Walls I feel your grace
When bees alight on golden thrones
By Castle Walls 'twixt sea and stone"
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The Gertrude Jekyll garden, near to Lindisfarne Castle is the focus of this track. Now owned by the National Trust, originally it was a walled garden that was first constructed by troops manning the castle, presumably as far back as the 1500s or 1600s, to grow food.

In 1902, the Country Life magazine founder and owner Edward Hudson took out a lease from the Crown on Lindisfarne Castle and commissioned his friend, the architect Edwin Lutyens, to transform the Castle into a holiday home in which Hudson could entertain during his summer visits.

In 1911, Hudson decided to restore the old walled garden to use as a place to enjoy. Lutyens brought in his regular collaborator, Gertrude Jekyll to undertake the design work

This track is now part of "The Pilgrims Way Project" exploring the history and natural world of Lindisfarne.

Project Playlist

soundcloud.com/mrbouzouki/sets/the-pilgrims-way-project

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Instrumentation

By Castle Walls instrumental feature strings, cello, alto flute, alto F low whistle, english horn, piano, harp, alto glockenspiel, bass guitar, harpsichord and a mixed choir backing. It also features my initial poem voice-over and 'bees ensemble' :-)

The buzzing bees sound FX is classed as Public Domain and is used to add colour to the track from www.freesound.org

creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

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Background

In my head I had the idea of trying to capture the feeling of guests of Hudson, (or modern day visitors) walking around the garden on a late Summer afternoon, possibly stopping to listen to the bees, busy at work, collecting honey. 

The poem came out of that thought which then inspired the musical direction of the piece.

I imagined the first part, idyllic, tranquil, moving to section where you just focus in on the bees and everyday life slips away for a while. This is followed by a grander 'promenade ending', where I imagined Hudson's guests strolling around in the late afternoon sun.

By Castle Walls

This was an interesting project and a fast one for me. Two days start to finish. Then I was busy making a retrospective video.

I sing in a local community choir that was going to celebrate it's 10th anniversary then COVID struck. Our plans for a presentation to the MD and his wife after a special concert were in tatters with everything cancelled.
  
In the end we did a lockdown presentation and I created a choir retrospective and I needed some music to go with the photos and a bit of video. BV10 was the result. 
 
Warning it doesn't really do much musically as it has repetitive sections until near the end. I did want something that sounded fairly reflective, not too fast for transitions and not too intrusive.

It turned out a useful foil to the video in the end.

If you want to see the finished video it's here :-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPL0HGHaeL8

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Instruments Used

I quite like the use of the Harp and Alto Glockenspiel to create the chime effect and I always enjoy using English Horn and Alto Flute in combination.

34-string Iona lever Harp (Etherealwinds)
Alto Glockenspiel (Halion 6)
St Peters Choir patch (Halion 6)
Con Sord Strings (Spitfire)
8ve Strings (Spitfire)
Bass Guitar (Halion 6)
English Horn (Chris Hein Orchestral Winds)
Alto Flute (Chris Hein Orchestral Winds)

BV10

This Cinematic-style Celtic Fantasy is loosely based around an ancient Celtic gathering on Lindisfarne and had me researching the Common Brittonic language to get some interesting 'Foley' sounds.  It was spoken in Britain and Brittany and eventually developed into Old Welsh, Cumbric, Cornish, and Breton.  It also features my long suffering wife who over time has become a quasi- Foley artist and harmony part singer for me. 

The Metheglin of the title is the oil that makes the celebration happen and is a type of spiced mead, so basically fermented honey with spices added. It also obliquely connects to Lindisfarne mead and also the bees featured in 'By Castle Walls'.  

I wanted to get a sort of cinematic feel to be dropped into a Celtic Festival or feast day and I hoped the language and children's laughter would aid in the immersion. Finally in this project I get to do a fair bit of bouzouki playing which was a plus. 

So hopefully you will enjoy the feast .... "búwa slanos ac swos"

This track is now part of "The Pilgrims Way Project" exploring the history and natural world of Lindisfarne.

Project Playlist

soundcloud.com/mrbouzouki/sets/the-pilgrims-way-project

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Instrumentation

A Taste of Metheglin features low and high whistles, harp, strings, violin, alto-flute, a choir backing and bouzouki. Percussion consists of bodhrán, clapping, various taps and knocks, shaker and even tapping on my acoustic guitar. 

Vocal FX is a combination of Brittonic vocalisations and a  backing line from the Soundiron 'Voices of Gaia' collection featuring the vocal talents of Linda Strawberry.

Some of the percussion sounds come from the excellent playable VST instrument set "Flying Hands Percussion" by HandHeld Sound

A sea waves sound FX and children laughing FX that are classed as Public Domain are used to add colour to the track from www.freesound.org

creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

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Background

This track is a combination of VST-based instrumentation and real-playing of instruments  with additional clapping, tapping and knocking, all overlaid with original Foley sounds.

I wanted to try and get a well developed rhythmic feel and maybe the feel of circular dancing that hopefully comes out from the track.

A Taste Of Metheglin

Note: I got this Bouzouki, that I still have and use, on our 25th Wedding Anniversary so it's nice to have the first song I recorded with it captured in this track.
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You don't 'own' an instrument until you've written something on it, so my new flat-backed Irish Bouzouki produced this little tune :-)

Bouzouki Stomp (circa 2010 - 2014)

Note : This was my first Orchestral VST library and I've got quite a few more since 2016 and learnt how to orchestrate better . This little idea was quite a nice test piece.
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As a stringed instrument player this instrumental track is a first for me as it doesn't feature any real string instruments at all. I've recently acquired Garritan Personal Orchestra 5 and wanted to try out some of its new virtual instruments. This track was a test piece just to try and get my head around how I might use it. I realise there is much to learn. ;-)

The instruments used were strings (unison orchestra ensemble), pizzicato basses, harp harmonics, alto flute, and concert grand piano.

Brand New Day (Sept 2016)

In Your Dreams - an Orchestral Mystery 

Another tick of the clock,
one moment follows another,
But is there space outside reality ?

The beat goes on,
incessant and unceasing.
But while you sleep do you live another lifetime ?

... in your dreams ?

MrBouzouki Nov 2020

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Background 
This track developed from playing a simple arpeggio that you can hear in the pizzicato strings. It ended up examining the space beyond the norm ... lol

Anyway, an interesting little project and the words that arrived from the 'ether'  acted as a catalyst for the music. I'm quite enjoying using orchestral instruments in my storytelling at the moment.

Metaphysical Playlist
soundcloud.com/mrbouzouki/sets/metaphysical
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Instrumentation
Celesta (Bell Piano)- Kontakt Factory Library 
Pizzicato Strings - Albion One (Spitfire)
Violin - Chris Hein Strings
Viola - Chris Hein Strings 
Alto Flute -Chris Hein Winds 
Cello - Chris Hein Strings
The sound of an antique clock FX that is classed as Public Domain is used to add colour and provide a rhythmic pulse  to the track from www.freesound.org
creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

In Your Dreams - An Orchestral Mystery

"A musical vision of Autumn, a time of year when change is in the air. Mellow days and vivid colours give way to darker nights, rain storms and misty mornings. As the season moves on, a hint of Winter arrives with colder nights and frosty mornings"

Description

Autumn, finds me trying to express, in music, my feelings about this season. Below is a attempt at doing this in words too. This is the second of hopefully four orchestral pieces that describe the four temperate seasons of the year.

If you want to hear other pieces from the series "The Wheel Turns" after listening to this piece, the links are here :-

soundcloud.com/mrbouzouki/sets/the-wheel-turns

The Wheel Turns Orchestral Suite - YouTube playlist.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQkE1sMc-t1sixu4RmJmjyFr0HF6dnUF2

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Autumn
The majesty of Summer has now faded. Leaves, once so green, now a myriad of fading colours as Mother Nature withdraws her life-giving hand.

The weather is changing too. Strong winds and blustery days jostle with times of calm reflection, as you take a little wander through the woods.

The squirrels are busy, as are the birds, as some prepare for darker times whilst others set forth on their migrant flights.

For Autumn knows, whilst man often forgets, that change is in the air.

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Instrumentation

Con Sordino and 8ve strings (Albion One - Spitfire)
Viola Ensemble (Chris Hein Strings)
Violin Spiccato (Albion One - Spitfire)
Low Strings Cello & Bass(Chris Hein Strings)
Pizzicato Strings (Albion One - Spitfire)
Oboes (Chris Hein Winds)
English Horn (Chris Hein Winds)
Barock Bassoon (Chris Hein Winds)
Flute (Chris Hein Winds)
French Horn (Chris Hein Brass)
Trombone (Chris Hein Brass)
Low Brass Dirt Growl (Chris Hein Brass)
Timpani Rolls and Strikes (Kontakt Factory Library)
Bass Drum (Kontakt Factory Library)
St Peter's Choir (Halion -Steinberg)
Shevannai vocal library (Eduardo Tarilonte)
Bell Tree (Flying Hands Percussion)

Variety was the key to this piece with it almost compartmentalised into different sections to reflect this changeable season.

The initial section what I call 'the walk in the woods section' depicts the fading grandeur of Autumn before moving into a time of relative calm. This is followed suddenly by a storm section featuring a vocal line as the wind, pizzicato strings as the rain and timpani and brass as the thunder. The final section is almost melancholic, reflecting the withdrawal of nature before dying down to a misty stillness with a hint of Winter just around the corner. In fact the end section features a motif from my piece Winter so it acts as a bridge to that piece.

Autumn

Background

This is my take on an old traditional song. The earliest reference I've discovered is around 1847.  It supposedly had other titles 'The Grinders' and 'The Saddle on the Right Horse'  

It is a vivid description of the lot of Sheffield Grinders, working and often dying early in life due to their trade. The 'Grinding Hull's' mentioned in the lyrics were grim places, full of particles of metal and dust from the grinding wheels. Historical evidence suggests boys were often apprenticed from nine to twelve years of age.

Through my working career I was employed in the Steel Industry engaged in scientistic work and environmental research, quite a bit of it related to occupational health problems, So it is no surprise to me and very fitting that I wanted to get this song recorded. As a Sheffield lad born and bred it connects for me I guess. 

Apparently a version of this traditional song was recorded by 'The Ian Campbell Group' in 1972 and the band 'Afterhours' from their eponymous cassette only album from 1988. After hearing the 'Afterhours' 1988 version, I decided to work up a DADGAD guitar arrangement of my own.  Here is the result.
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Instrumentation and Arrangement

I wanted a simple arrangement for this song as really it's all about the lyrics and overall message. I used a DADGAD guitar tuning and aimed for a strum pattern that hopefully reflects the cyclical rhythmic quality of the grindstones in use.

After the main vocals was recorded I decided a bit of backing vocals would add a bit of extra spice to the overall song. Sometimes voice and guitar is all you really need. :-)
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The Sheffield Grinder (Lyrics around 1847)
**( with small revisions for this version)
(Photograph taken from the Illustrated London News 1866)

The Sheffield grinder's a terrible blade.
Tally ho, the grinder!
'Fore he sets his little 'uns down to trade.
Tally ho, the grinder!
He sets ‘em all down to grind in the hull,
Till their bodies are stunted and their eyes are dull,
And their brains are all dizzy and dazed in their skulls.
Tally ho, the grinder!

He shortens his life and he hastens his death.
Tally ho, the grinder!
And he’ll drink steel dust with every breath.
Tally ho, the grinder!
And he won't wash his hands ‘ere he eats a meal
And he won’t wear a mask as he grinds at his wheel
And he’ll die as he’s lived, as hard as cold steel.
Tally ho, the grinder!

(Instrumental)

The Sheffield grinders of whom we do speak.
Tally ho, the grinder!
Well they’re men who’ll earn just one pound a week.
Tally ho, the grinder!
But of Sheffield grinders another sort
Methinks ought to be called to court,
Aye, and that’s the grinding Government Board.
Tally ho, the grinder!

At whose door lies the blacker blame?
Tally ho, the grinder!
Oh where lies the heavier weight of shame?
Tally ho, the grinder!
Is it the famine-price contractor's head,
Or on the workman who’s under-fed,
And who grinds his own bones and his children’s for bread?
Tally ho, the grinder!

The Sheffield Grinder

A collection of songs, instrumentals and orchestral pieces charting my adventures in home studio recording and production.  All original compositions using voice, acoustic and electric guitar (sometimes using altered tunings), bouzouki, low and high whistles and MIDI instrumentation. 

I'm also using VST instrumentation to create classical compositions and integrating orchestral sounds into my songs and instrumentals.

Links to various instrumental projects and other Social Media links are available below.

My Eclectic Music Connections repost thread is here

https://soundcloud.com/mrbouzouki-repost

Popular tracks by MrBouzouki