Always on the look out for opportunities to stretch and grow into all kinds of musical experiences, I had the good fortune to encounter an electronic musician on another music hosting site - mp3u.com. This song was Kevin Miller's work and he graciously allowed me to experiment with vocals in a style I had never tried to work with.
My thanks to Kevin for letting me do what I do - dabble and learn - with his musical background.

Musical pre-mixed bed: Kevin Miller
Lyrics, vocals, final mix - Terry Wigmore

I've Got The Power

A political rant. Explicit Lyrics -just in  case you missed the title - Free D/L
I hope I'm just one of countless musicians in the free world lending a creative voice to express the outrage at Putin's 2nd invasion of Ukraine. With my own extended family roots in Ukraine, maybe I'm feeling the frustration and sense of being left alone to fight the bully on the block. Ukraine is the front line for the rest of Europe, and it cannot fall.  1939 here we come again. Lessons not learned. FU*K!
FU*K Putin and his enablers.
Time for a peoples' revolt. Where is Nevalny, the leader of the opposition? Oh, Putin had him poisoned and imprisoned. Time to revolt Russian people.
Ukraine: remember the Holodomor under Stalin. Never again!
Resist and tell Putin to "Stay The FU*K Out Of Ukraine!"
* if any musician would like to work with the vocals only and create an entirely new and more powerful message for Putin, DM me
hashtag SayNoToPutin
hashtag WeAreUkraine
hastag TheWorldStandsWithUkraine
hastag Russian Warship, Go Fu*k Yourself
https://twitter.com/rizwerto/status/1497001153514541079/photo/1

STAY THE FU*K OUT OF UKRAINE

An Easter message? Music against war?All wars are wrought with inhuman threads of unwarranted violence and destruction whether in Libya, Yemen, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Congo or... (place any name of any war at any time in history).
In this one, a special military pox upon Putin and his house and all those who abuse and terrorize innocents and rain destruction upon all those who simply want to live and to exist. Justice? Where? ICC - we hope you're leading the charge for justice, and NATO, EU, UN - don't look away!

 (Don't)Look Away

1)Another day, another day in this war. 
A family man asks - What’s it all for?
Have we forgotten what we came here for? Don’t run away.   

To kill a man, a woman or a child. 
There’s something wrong, wrong in their minds.   
They look to God, but he does what He does best. He looks away. Hey?   

There’s always war in a far distant land
and civilised man goes out to lend a hand.
Holy Lands? Are you having a laugh? 
Laugh away, hey…  laugh away….hey…

(CHORUS)
I CAN SEE THEM ALL - LAGGING BEHIND. 
THEY’RE NOT PART OF THIS - HUMAN KIND
THINGS GOT SLOW, SLOW IN THE HEAD. 
WHY DON’T YOU GO SHOOT YOURSELF INSTEAD?
WE’D LOOK AWAY…HEY…WE’D LOOK AWAY…HEY…YAAH

2) Armies are led by those who think they’re right. 
Tell us they want peace.    
To get it they must fight for… the love of God pray how is this right? 
Pray away. 
They say destruction is their means to an end. 
Aim their gun at what once was their friend.
Turn their back on humanitarian trends. Then look away, 
hey… they look away…

(CHORUS)     

(MID BREAK)   
Lay down on your pillow…sleep tight with your greed 
because your safe… you’ll dream… while others bleed…
and you tell me…that God is on your side…you don’t believe it…
and that’s what I despise….
then you look away…
nd then you look away…

3) They shake a fist with a gun in their hand. 
It’s an action only they understand. 
One step away… from a hellish end. 
Shake away… shake - away…  

If there’s a place I could send them all. 
Be deep space, on a hot fiery ball  
Where you can all…Happily annihilate yourselves!                                                                        Then fire away…fire away, fire away…hey…

(CHORUS)

4) One more day is too much in this war. 
The family man asks - What’s it all been for? 
His loved one’s buried with his heart in the floor. 
Please look away…

Wigmore - drums, synths, mixing, production, additional vocals
Allen - music, guitars, bass, vocals, lyrics
Gibbons - middle vocals and lyrics
* additional fem voc. from Anna Brag https://soundcloud.com/annabrag

Capo  2nd….G/C/Em/D     Chorus….Em/D     Break….G/E/G/E …Am/G/F/G/Am/G/F/G

Look Away

Free D/L at www.terrywigmore.com A little personal experience poured out in this one. It will resonate with anyone who always believed in "one day" : one day something will come of this, one day it'll all work out, one day someone famous will cover this song, one day...one day.
We're not saying anyone should give up, but don't forget all the joy along the way to the elusive, "one day" that may or may not be in the cards for any of us.
And as we ponder life from the street view of a frustrated songwriter, think of all the "one days" that so many in Ukraine will never have, just to keep it all in perspective.

Lyrics:

I've got so many songs
Written on scraps of paper,
Tossed into bins
in every house I've lived in
Taken up space on hard drives,
thumb drives, Cd's ,cassettes,
I even pressed a vinyl.

Done so many, but not a penny (2x)
Done so...many

I've lost so many songs on the verge of that perfect mix
through a system crash,  hard drive failure
I've had so many songs that I thought I could
just make it
If someone would 
just give it a listen

oohh...give it a listen

na-na-na-na (repeat)

Now I'm hustlin' at open mic's
Busking on street corners of some nameless small town
Hopin' for enough coins to get a coffee  (oh-no)
Just a coffee...

Gone are the dreams I used to harbour
Gone are the dreams of...more than a penny

Done so many
I've done so many

Ive done many, but never a penny 
I've done so many    (repeat these 2 lines)                           

Lyrics, Music, lead vocals, Production:  T Wigmore
Bass, Guitars, "done so many" lyrics and vocals: K Allen

Done So Many

Free D/L at https://www.terrywigmore.com/wigmore-allen-gibbons, in the album called This Is How It Starts

This one began as cello with a 3/4 waltzing, twirling dance drum rhythm (dancing to demise?) and a droning synth. I love the sound of the cello and though I don't add it to compositions very often. I was asked to record a cello for another artist on SoundCloud and dusting off my cello and practicing got me in the mood. This took lyrical shape when Kevin found words to run a melody with. Ominous and moody. Is "Too Late" a statement and assertion, or a question? I like a bit of that ambiguity. Choose your own adventure.

Too Late To Change

1. Do you remember
Back when you were young?
You thought you'd live forever and a day!
But time it moves quickly,
It takes you unawares.
You wish you hadn't given it away!

Chorus
Too late,
Too late,
Too late to change
Too late,
Too late,
Too late to change

Then, life was so simple-something
You lived without a care
And endless tomorrows in line
Push it all forward
To so many other days,
How could we be so careless with time?

Chorus
Too late,
Too late,
Too late to change
Too late,
Too late,
Too late to change

Wigmore – Cello, drums, synths, backing vocals, production
Allen	  -Bass, Guitar, backing vocals
Gibbons  - Lyrics, Lead vocal/harmonies

Spring Hasn't Sprung Pants

Too Late To Change

A feel-good tune driven by rhythms that are vibrant and lyrics and harmonies that paint a message of hope for us to fill in the ellipsis of life, the "dot-dot-dot" that is our moments of anticipatory optimism and choice.  Life Can Be... so... (choose life's descriptors for yourself, don't let others define you).

Available for free D/L at https://www.terrywigmore.com/wigmore-allen-gibbons
Track 4 of the album Done So Many - 10 years of Wigmore Allen Gibbons

* note- the last note is a Keith plinking of the 24th fret high E 

Life Can Be 

Life can be… Life can be so… 
The further back that we look, the further forward we see 
A huge yearning for good, we got the capacity 
The fine line that we tread between silk and the twine 
A springboard into wine… 

Life can be…(a bit of a trial) 
Life can be… 
Life can be…(a bit of a trial) 
Life can be… 

We’re visitors to this time and space We’re only passing through… 
Inspire…least you expire 
Lion or gazelle you gotta keep your eyes open 
Call up the prophet and see what he thinks: 

Life can be…(a bit of a trial) 
Life can be…(beaten by your smile) 
Life can be…(a bit of a trial) 
Life can be…(beaten by your smile) 
Life can be so...so...so....so-oh.... ( beaten by your smile) 
Life can be…(a bit of a trial) 
Life can be…(beaten by your smile) 

Life Can Be... 
So...
Beautiful 

Wigmore: music, chorus vocals, lyrics, production 
Allen: guitars, bass, lead and backing vocals, additional lyrics,

Life Can Be...

Struggling to extricate yourself from some awful mess of life and circumstance (relationship?)Free? Feels like it, sometimes, until freedom starts to feel an awful lot like falling down. Still, whatever we choose, the choice to be free, to soar, to coast, or to fall down, is in your hands.

* I always loved Tom Petty and his Free Fallin'. Maybe that was in the back swirling around.?

                                                Free, Falling Down

I’m free… falling down…I’m free…falling down
Never felt this good to be living my life…
Never felt this way,  good to be giving it up…
Left it all behind, I’m going on my own…
I’m spreading my wings

As autumn falls and the leaves do curl
Throw this drowning man… a heavy stone…
A heavy stone
Ah summoning the North winds, a hard brick in soft felt
The world has lungs…that are fit to burst
The world is a mighty fist…in your hands
The world is a fragile fist …in your hands…in your hands!

In your hands… Whoa! 
(Im free…falling down)
It’s in your hands … Whoa!
Never felt this good to be living my life…
Never felt this way, good to be giving this up…
Left it all behind, I’m going on my own…
I’m spreading my wings.

Well who made the world mad?
Was it us? That twisted the five fingers of continents?
Fingers of continents
Hold the world for what it’s worth, 
Don’t let your spoon stir the pot…in reverse

In your hands…In your hands   (I’m free)
It’s in your hands…

Wigmore-: Music, guitars, chorus lyrics, lead vocals (chorus)/backing vocals, mixing,production
Allen:  bass, lyrics for verses, vocals (verses)/backing vocals

Test It To Destruction

Free, Falling Down

Love...as a feeling you get when you go over Niagara Falls in a barrel?

That image was developed by simply approaching a collaboration (with UK musician, Anthony Gee - Liquid on mp3u) with the "start where you are" wisdom. What is more iconic for people working with a Canadian than Niagara Falls? 

Anthony had been exploring electronica using a midi keyboard, but had never written a rock tune. Ever ready for opportunities to help others, I asked Anthony for a keyboard progression as a foundation, since he was taking piano lessons at the time, and from that foundation the rock track would be built with the addition of lyrics, guitar, and harmonica. Eventually the song needed an instrumental, and that was where the real learning for Anthony took place - he had never learned to improvise, only to read music. Thinking out of the box and feeling the music is a little intimidating for some. So, many file-exchanges later, he had let his hair down enough to try that rock organ phrase that appears here. 

Here's to learning, to experimenting, to learning to give control over to others and to celebrating life-long learning. Who ever said you can't teach old dogs new tricks?

Lyrics:

I thought love was so simple,
But it turns out it's really complex,
With a lot of inuendo
There's body language
There's the subtle conversation,
And it's driving me mad
I feel I'm in a barrel going over a falls
In a barrel, going nowhere at all

I thought love was the cure that I needed
But it seems I was wrong
And there's no doubt about it
Love can be easy, like a lazy river
But when the current picks up
You better know how to paddle
I feel I'm in a barrel going over a falls
In a barrel, going nowhere at all

(instrumental)

I thought love was gonna take me to places
My heart hadn't seen, and I was anticipatin'
The joy and the bliss 
That I had found with your kissin'
Took me too far from shore
And now I'm self-destructin'

I feel I'm in a barrel going over a falls
In a barrel, going nowhere at all

Anthony Gee: piano, organ, bass
Terry: lyrics, vocals, harmonica, guitar

In A Barrel (With Anthony Gee)

Phil McC (aka Waveology)is a talented keyboard player, and he offered this piano improvisation for me to engage with a melody and lyric. Although Phil went on to experiment with a band arrangement (https://soundcloud.com/philmcc-1/place-i-go-ft-terry-wigmore-jazz-orchestra-arrangement), I was always partial to the piano's simplicity and the space it afforded the vocal to sit in an imagined lounge, and that was the sound that inspired the lyrics.  So, with the last breath of autumn, it seemed to be a fitting time for a melancholic muse in Phil's lounge, a darkened room, a half consumed whisky (Crown Royal) in one hand, a mic in the other, cue the music, Phil...

Places I Go

Written by - Phil McC
Vocal and lyrics - Terry Wigmore
Arranged & generally glued together - Phil McC

LYRICS ...

Hmmmm...the places I go
To try to get you off my mind,
It's no good, though I try.
The mem'ries, oh the memories of you,
And the places we used to go.
Every place I go,
Every shop I see,
Every window I turn to,
Every crack in the sidewalk
Reminds me of you
hmmmm letters carved in trees
Those benches that were meant for you and me
But it's all gone,
All gone, all gone, all gone, now,
Blown away in the breeze,
The falling leaves
Drifting down the river of Time
We're drifting,
Yeah we're drifting
We're like leaves that have fallen 
Drifting...
It's so hard for me to go,
To all the places, the places I know.
It's so hard for me to go,
To all the places, places I know...

Jazz Collaborations

Places I Go (with Phil Mc C)

A tune from the WAG guys, reflecting the idea that love is, perhaps, the distillation and essence of what humanity is all about, Christmas, or other. Love finds a way, always. Let's not give up. Regardless of your traditions and cultural expressions of religious beliefs, love makes it all possible...if we want/will it.

Available for free D/L at https://www.terrywigmore.com/wigmore-allen-gibbons   Track 12 from the album Nothing Special (Left Behind)
Lyrics:

Everlasting

The greater the suffering … the greater the peace
The longer you have to wait … the greater the weight

Love everlasting …

I see the blood of roses … out in the fields
Love everlasting

Oh-oh-oh-oh

Voulez…voulez…voulez…voulez…away

Love everlasting …

Voulez…voulez…voulez…voulez…away

All you need is the imagination to believe.

Wigmore:  Synths, percussion, production
Allen:         Bass, guitars, lyrics, vocals

Everlasting

"Careless Love" is a traditional song, with several popular blues versions. It has been called a "nineteenth-century ballad and Dixieland standard".
Although published accounts have cited 1926 as the copyright date, W. C. Handy copyrighted "Loveless Love" in 1921 under Pace & Handy Music Co.
A recording by Bessie Smith titled "Careless Love Blues" was very popular in 1925

About Peo: "With his background in Swing music his basic music style could be described as “relaxed jazzy with an oldtime touch”.
Peo passed away 2 years ago. Uploaded in his memory -  my mentor in this old time blues/band/swing style. We did about a 1/2 dozen of Peo's band arrangements with crooner vocals over the years before his declining health made music impossible. 
T

Lyrics:
Love, oh love, oh careless love,
You fly though my head like wine
You've wrecked the life
Of many a poor girl
And you nearly spoiled this life of mine

Love, oh love, oh careless love,
In your clutches of desire
You made me break a many true vow
Then you set my soul on fire
Love, oh love, oh careless love,

Instrumental 

Love, oh love, oh careless love,
All my happiness bereft
You've filled my heart withsome weary old blues
Now I'm walkin' talkin' to myself
Careless love,

Love, oh love, oh careless love,
Trusted you now it's too late
You've made me throw my old friend down
That's why I sing this song of hate
Love, oh love, oh careless love,

2nd instrumental

Love, oh love, oh careless love,
Night and day I weep and moan
You brought the wrong woman in my life
For my sins till judgment I'll atone
Love, oh love, oh careless love,

You brought the wrong woman in my life
For my sins till judgment I'll atone
Love, oh love, oh careless love,

Per-Olov Lemhagen (Master Peo) - backing instruments and arrangement
Terry: vocals

Careless Love

Kirk (Kirk's Trax on SC https://soundcloud.com/kirk-evans-604267716) has created some wonderful compositions which I discovered recently. A few e-mails were exchanged, ideas were explored, and a process was set into motion, all leading to the smooth jazz song that is presented here - Love Is.  

My starting point for inquiring about collaborations is simply the answer to the question, "Does the music make me feel like singing?"  Kirk's music ticked that box and so we began the process of getting to know each other, and learning to trust each other's sense of next steps.  I asked about Smoke Rings (https://soundcloud.com/kirk-evans-604267716/smokerings) as a song I'd like to explore vocals and lyrics with. Kirk sent a pre-mixed lo-res file for me to do what I do: hear how it needs to go for a vocal-friendly structure. So, after a little cut and paste and adding some vocal melody ideas, I sent a mix to Kirk. At this point, you never know what the other musician's reaction is going to be, so you have to be prepared for the plug to be pulled after a, "What did you do to my perfectly good song?" reaction.  I was pleasantly surprised that Kirk wanted to work on his bed tracks and facilitate a smoother final integration of voice and music. So, he edited his original tracks and sent along individual instrument tracks, which I placed into my working file, with additional instrumental flourishes and a vocal from me resulting in the song below. This is just another example of the joy and work involved in a collaboration. The joy is hearing a song through someone else's eyes (or ears). The work is finding a pathway that is agreeable to everyone involved, and going through iteration after iteration so everyone is satisfied and pleased with the result. Kirk was easy to work with, and that always bodes well :)

The lyrics, which usually, for me, come from an open mic, pressing record as the song plays, and trusting that intuition to get the ball rolling. The final form is seldom far off the mark from the original improvisation, and that was the case here. Once the vocal melody was established, the form of the message was relatively easy - 2 verses, each with a focus on a three-syllable rhythm to demonstrate the contrasting qualities of Love (Elusive and Effusive - I love alliteration). 

* note - the art for the song reflects the elusive quality  as a scrabble tile game of chance, while the roses in the background relate to the effusive quality of romantic expressions ;)

Smoke rings, the instrumental, became, Love Is - a lounge lizard,  crooner song. 

Kirk Evans - music
Terry Wigmore - additional synth, strings, lyrics, vocals and production.

 Lyrics:

V1
Oh love, love is so elusive,
So hard to see in a heart,
that's been battered and bruised by the dark

Oh love, love is so elusive,
Like water that flows through your fingers then  it's gone,
All gone, all gone

Instrumental

V2
Oh, love, love is so effusive,
It can bubble and glow
doesn't care who knows,
Playfully smitten, carefree and driven

Oh love, love is so effusive
It begins to take hold and won't ever let go
Of your heart -

Love Is

After a gorgeous Easter long weekend here, my thoughts have turned to summer. Not quite there yet, but enough warmth to think of gardens, colour and...the arrival of ominous smog and haze of urban centers. I relocated from the urban sprawl of what we called "The Big Smoke" of the Toronto area.  I think, the threat of air pollution, especially in the sweltering heat of summer, always makes me mindful of the thin line and tipping point (1.5 degrees C) of global warming. The summer of 2023 left much of North America reeling from the haze of smoke from hundreds of wildfires in Canada's north.Wearing masks to protect, not from Covid, from PM (particulate Matter of 2.5 in Ontario! Toronto was the worst for particulate matter in the world in June 2023)
Available for free ($0.00)download - track 10 on the Wigmore Allen Gibbons album - Nothing Special (Left Behind)  - found here : https://www.terrywigmore.com/wigmore-allen-gibbons

Haze
    I love the haze of summer … ah
    1) Short path to the shore
    Secret place, we’ve been before
    A little piece of heaven no one knows
    Quiet time for you and me
    On the beach near to the sea
    A little piece of heaven no one knows
    Ooh – ah…This where the buck stops (x4)
    EVERYBODY’S DREAMING…OF MORE SUNNY DAYS
    BUT CAN’T YOU SEE WE’RE STEAMING …IN THE HAZE?
    2) How long can it last
    Relegated to the past
    Something once forgotten never found
    Just take a little care
    I want to feel it’s always there
    Something once forgotten never found
    Ooh – ah    (x12) 
    (INST)  
    (CHORUS)
    3) Warm days, running dry
    Changing times, a leaden sky
    Is there a piece of heaven no one knows?
    Radiation, in the sand       
    A lasting legend, to our land     
    Is there a piece of heaven no one knows?
    Ha…ya…ya…ze!  (x3)
    (CHORUS)
    I loved the haze of summer …

Wigmore: percussion, synths, production
Allen:       lyrics, vocals, bass, guitars
Gibbons: lyrics, lead vocals
(HRH:       additional lyrics)

Nothing Special

Summer Haze

With all the "Breaking News", especially concerning the lawsuits against FOX (US) in the Dominion and Smartmatic lawsuits revealing all the duplicity and hypocrisy from the talking heads of rage-baiting opinion personalities (not real reporters on FOX), Can democracy be destroyed by false claims reported as truth? I'll let that question be answered by Ray's song. Ray did all the music and wrote the opinion piece (lyrics) and I just embraced the intention of Ray's analysis of the wonky state of global media and hoped a little edge and passion in the vocal would drive the message home. Be careful what you choose to believe, and the sources you decide are credible. Caveat Emptor.

Lyrics:
I've been thinking about the state of the world
The networks want to feed ya
I'm talking about the global media
It's all enough to drive a sane man to  distraction
All they give us is a knee-jerk reaction

You know it's easy to forget how much they need ya
Those people behind the desk in the global multi-media
It's all a ratings game, the news reports are all the same
A pretty face, every hair in place,
But what they tell ya is just another knee-jerk reaction, uh- huh
A knee-jerk reaction, uh- huh
Knee-jerk reaction

Instrumental

I wonder how much they conspire to deceive ya
Photoshopped and over-dubbed is the norm in global media
Images you see have no real attraction
No bearing to the truth, it's just a knee-jerk reaction

Knee-jerk reaction (x6)

Mmmmm they say the truth will set you free,
But where's the truth in what I see?
Knee-jerk reaction
Take the news and wrap it 'round,
Once around, maybe twice around
And spew it out for us to see,
Then spew it out for us to see
There is no truth in what I read
knee-jerk reaction (x6)

Knee - Jerk Reaction (Brookes And Wigmore)

A simple acoustic pluckin' and strummin',  simple drummin', a wispy harp, and solo vocal, but that  simplicity allows for a sentiment to be communicated. As with much of my song-writing, it is a bit of hope and dash of reality.  (Tried to use a harness for the harp and aspire to a Neil Young or Dylan affect...well... I tried ;)

I Do (c) Terry Wigmore

When I feel like smilin'
I do,
When I feel like cryin'
I do that too.
Yeah, when I feel like walkin' 
I do
And when I feel like leavin' my troubles back there waitin' with you,
I do.


When I feel the weight comin' down, and
I do
When I feel like givin' up
I'm often tempted to but
I do
Carry on, I do
And when I feel like leavin' my troubles back there waitin' with you,
I do.

A Few Tunes From My Basement Vol 4

I Do

James Bell (a musician I met on mp3u.com a dozen years ago) approached me recently with an idea for a song. He described the style and wondered what I might be able to do. Well, I know my limitations, so I turned to Ray Brookes, who in no time created a marvelous arrangement to support James' smooth vocals (when is the last time you heard a sousaphone used for a bass line?) Old-school sound? Ray and James captured it so well (yeah, that's me in the backing vocals...minimalist that I am ;)

Lyrics:
The Girl Of My Dreams


You're the girl of my dreams
I fall apart at the seams
Whenever I see
The Girl of my dreams

Everyone knows
I feel so aglow
Got my head in a spin
Can't you hear my heart singing

MIDDLE
The way you dance, I'll take the chance
To win your love someday
So let's dance. I'll show you romance
In the old fashioned English way

The bells will chime
if you say you'll be mine
and every day you'll be
The Girl of my dreams

Bell: Lyrics, melody and lead vocal
Brookes: arrangement
Wigmore: production and backing vocal

Girl of My Dreams -  Bell Brookes Wigmore

I always like to tell a story in a song, and this one tells a tale of misfortune, starting out looking like fate, while ending up as a tale of woe that is all fun in the telling. I started the tune, created the framework, and set the stage in Verse 1 and chorus and passed it off to Keith for him to continue to take the tune in any direction he wanted...and...well...darned if he didn't go and do just that...beep!   ;)

Lyrics:
 You Baby You

V1.  The time had come for me to leave, I grabbed my jacket and my cap
I slid my glass along the bar and I slipped out in the back
I didn’t see the car approach as I stepped out from the curb …ow -owowow!
I didn’t see it was you baby, you baby, you baby, it was you behind the wheel
You baby, you baby, you baby, you baby…you behind that wheel
I’ll never forget, the look in your eyes glancing at me as I flew over the hood
Your rag-top down, I ended up in the back seat upside-down
Ya only get one shot to make it right, Can I get ya number here tonight?
It was you baby, you baby, you baby…you for me

V2. Well three years later and it’s a pretty romance
She stood on my toes, but she taught me to dance
Every damn morning, well, a she burning my toast
But she is quite a good looker, so I don’t like to boast
My Mama say “She was never fair maid…
“Nothing comes cheap when you gotta pay”
She said: “Nothing is cheap, if you gotta pay!”
I thought she was crazy, clumsy and cheap
But so damn pretty that she makes me go… Beep! 
I’m telling you baby, you baby, you baby, you baby, yeah…you and me
I’m telling you baby, you baby, you baby, yeah…you and me
Ya just get one shot at this life…So pull out  ya finger and make it count
You baby, you baby, you baby…You and me

V3. So… this is where it ended, all my life in disarray …old timer
I thought I’d gotten away with it, but boy did she make me pay
She said one day she a come back, when all her cash runs out
But now I gotten my trailer I can’t put up with my back put out
I thought she was crazy, clumsy and cheap
But so damn pretty she can still make me go… beep!
Argh…no, no, no!
You baby, you baby, you baby, you baby, yeah…you and me
You baby, you baby, you baby, you baby, yeah…you and me
The animals went in two by two, I guess we done it too
Ooooh you baby, you baby, you baby, you baby, yeah…you and me
We just get one shot at this life…So pull out ya finger and make it count
You baby, you baby, you baby…You and me…ho-ho!

Wigmore: percussion,  synths, wah-wah guitar, lyrics, vocals, production
Allen: guitars, bass, lyrics, main vocals (young feller, and old git ;)

The 10th Anniversary Collection - Rule of 3

You Baby You

August marks 3 years since the passing of Per-Olov Lemhagen, Master Peo, as he was known on Bandcamp, mp3u.com and other music platforms.

Peo was a clarinetist and used to play in a swing band in the 50's in Sweden. His familiarity with the instruments, arrangements and all that goes into creating authentic band pieces made him a valuable mentor in the American Jazz classics.

This one, Darktown Strutter's Ball is such a piece, and it was always a joy and a learning experience for me to lend a vocal to Peo's arrangements.  This is loosely based on Ella Fitzgerald's version of this classic.  Peo wanted to slow the tempo for his interpretation...which worked for me too ;)

In memory of Peo.

Lyrics:
Darktown Strutters Ball

I'll be there to catch you in a taxi, honey.
Better be ready about half past eight.
Now baby, don't be late,
I wanna be there when the band start playing.
Remember when we get there, baby,
Two-steps, I'm gonna have them all,
Gonna dance out of both of my shoes,
When they play that Jelly Roll Blues,
Tomorrow night at the Darktown Strutter's Ball

Songwriter:  Shelton Brooks
1915

Darktown Strutters Ball

I am always intrigued by the ideas that emerge when I hand over control of the song development to Keith. Who would have thought a medieval castle's torture chamber/dungeon (Oubliette) would serve as the inspiration?
Available as a free D/L in the new album Hold On (To Someone)found the Wigmore Allen Gibbons tab on Terry's website: https://www.terrywigmore.com/wigmore-allen-gibbons

Lyrics:

Oubliette

You heard a higher calling
From the prison down below
You never saw the beauty created…but you know

Rotting in this bottle
No hammer there to smash
All you need is shelter…and perhaps a little… cash

Ooooo…Oubliette…oubliette

Did you never find your place?
In this shabby world
Lurking in every corner…with a bucketful of dreams

Did you never book a trip?
To the rich and fertile fields
A martyr to your own…your very own…safety

Ooooo…Oubliette (x4)
… t-t-t-t-  to forget …ette

You heard a higher calling
From the prison down below
You never saw the beauty created…but you know
Rotting in this bottle
No hammer there to smash
All you need is shelter…and perhaps a little cash
Did you ever find your place?
In this shabby world
Lurking in the corner…with a bucketful of dreams
Did you ever book a trip?
To the rich and fertile fields
A martyr to your own…safety

Wigmore: music and production
Allen: guitars, bass, vocals, lyrics

Oubliette

This is the foundation of who we are as song-writers, musicians and vocalists. We wander off into electronic, and experimental sounds, but always seem to come back to this - classic Wigmore-Allen-Gibbons! Strong lead vocals from Keith, choral harmonies from Kevin and Terry, and at its core is strong folk-pop song-writing from Keith. And all this wrapped up in a basic band arrangement of guitars, bass, drums. with the age-old tale of young love.

Angel
Lyrics

Ah...here, there, no one seems to
know where you can take a
wrong turn, it's all a part of life.

Meanwhile, like a wildcat love child
We can take our own on this merry-go-round

Can you see where you went wrong?
Do you know why you did it?
Can you see where you went wrong?
Does it all become clear?
Can you see where you went wrong?
Do you know why you did it?
Can you see where you went wrong?

We grow cold, so cold
We're nothing when we're gone

Chorus
You're my angel, you're my angel
You're the only girl for me
And I don't know how to tell you any more.

Hey..hey...hey...
Ah that's me tellin' my life story
It already bores me, 
bores me half top death

Can you see where you went wrong?
Do you know why you did it?
Can you see where you went wrong?
Did it all become clear?
Can you see where you went wrong?
Do you know why you did it?
Can you see where you went wrong?

I'm cold, so cold
I'm nothing when you're gone

Chorus

Everyday I look at you,
I see the things that we went through, we tried, we tried side by side
Everyday I look at you,
I see the things that we went through, we tried, we know that we tried

Chorus

Wigmore: percussion, production, backing vocals
Allen: Song-writing, lead,harmony vocals, bass, acoustic guitar
Gibbons: backing vocals, lead guitar

Angel

We are not a cover band, although we do enjoy incorporating recognizable motifs and sounds into our songs as hooks to the past and a form of tribute to artists of the past.
This song is a shout out to Supertramp, The lyrics are a bit of a ‘poke’ at these so called ‘celebrities’ that got the looks, but little else going on. They even manage to write a book about their superficial lives…well…ok…they get someone else to do that for them. 
“Look at her body?” Hmmm…well we do, probably because there’s nothing else about ‘em. 
Musically, it was always about the keyboard sound in tension with the strings that called Supertramp - the band - to mind.

*available for free - track 10 from the album Wait and See - https://www.terrywigmore.com/wigmore-allen-gibbons

                                              SUPER TRAMP

She draped one leg over the arm…She got no wit, but she’s full of charm
I got my note book out to write down all the things that she…
Had not got in her own head…
She could not look me in the eye…It started to rain and I just wanna cry
Well here she come now…Super tramp

“I’m not a super, a super tramp
I’m not a super, a super tramp
Well, I’ve got more brains than you got britches
Got more schemes than you’ve got hitches…baby…baby”

There’s nothing more that you could say…
I’m just a fly upon the wall you want to swat away
Well here you are again, with your life story…Bore me…
“Look at ma baw-dee…(Look at her bawdee)  Ain’t I gaw-geous?
I got no brains but I can fake it…haha I mean…shake it for you!”
Well here she goes again…super tramp

(Body-shake-down:)

“Well I got more brains than you got britches
Got more schemes than you’ve got hitches…”
Oooooh….She’s dangerous …
Oooooh….She’s outrageous…
Oooooh….But it makes her lots of money!

I had to stop to rub my aching eyes, all she was full of was …
Expensive perfume and cheap surprise…that’s no surprise. 
But she couldn’t… buy a halo…
And so the book came out in July…It made her a $million, 
But I don’t know why…She’s still a super…super… tramp

Wigmore: Synths, Production
Allen: Lyrics, Vocals, Bass

Wait and See - Keith's Picks

Super Tramp

The season of Thanksgiving (already enjoyed in Canada)is upon the US. And Christmas approaching,right on the heels of these family gatherings. In the midst of it all, wars are ongoing, and all the while hatred soars. What's a helpful message in the midst of all that? Hold On (To Someone)...onto someone, not something. Time to share some hugs.
Hold On (to someone)

    The best prediction for the future is the past
    For the further back you look
    The further forward that you see
    Carpe diem … to seize the day, no need to pray
    Far beyond the pale, a little faith will conquer all your fears
    Make love with your words before the end
    For the further back you look
    The further forward you will see
    I’ve seen… the end
    When all… that is left
    I’ve seen…the end
    When all... that is left
    Is to hold… onto someone
    (Lead Break)
    The best prediction for the future is the past
    For the further back you look
    The further forward that you see
    I’ve seen…the end
    When all that is left
    Is to hold onto someone
    Hold onto someone

Wigmore: music, production
Allen: guitars, bass, vocals, lyrics

Hold (Onto Someone)

Keith had a gentle guitar phrase and  a few words that he was playing with and shuffled it over to me for a listen to see what I made of it. The result is the song below. The conflict is in the spirituality represented by the sparks on a fire ascending, and the observation that the embers twinkle, fade and fall, silent. What is it all about if the prayers, meditations and positive thoughts just fall back to earth like the sparks? The beliefs we embrace must hit the road of reality. If they measure up to good - wonderful! But if not? The supreme irony for me is watching kids being taught to hate in a religious school class.  I was going to use the coordinating conjunction BUT to set up the point of contrast (But you can't..."). Instead, Keith preferred the AND ("And you can't...") as, in addition to all that one CAN believe, you must be aware that other things follow too. Can And Cannot. So simple. Or is it?
Free D/L - Track 9 of the new album Hold On To Someone : https://www.terrywigmore.com/wigmore-allen-gibbons

Lyrics:
We seem to want to find
A spiritual connection to space and time
An affinity for infinity and the great beyond
Now, chuck your branch onto the fire
Watch it spark, and come alive
Embers drawn up into the night sky
Twinkling, fading, and in silence, fall

And you can't lead, once they've all been turned
And you can't light, what's already burned
And you can't teach compassion and hope
Once the hating's all been learned,

It's the lack of definition of in the twilight hours
That makes it so difficult to find our way
Past all the claims and assertions of things that cannot be proven
Now, chuck your branch onto the fire
Watch it spark, and come alive
Embers drawn up into the night sky
Twinkling, fading, and in silence fall

And you can't lead, once they've all been turned
And you can't light, what's already burned
And you can't teach compassion and hope
Once the hating's all been learned,

Wigmore: synths, production, lyrics, vocals
Allen: guitars, bass, music, additional vocals

Hold On (To Someone)

And You Can't

Keith is an old school rocker who loves to belt out throaty vocals and crunch away on guitars.
I just come alongside and wrap a vision of additional parts and produce it all to show off the details in the creative process as best as a modest home-based  musician with a rudimentary DAW can. 
Once in a while, lyrics come along that glue everything together.

So, for 2024, here is our wish: we need a hero! Who do you envision in such a role?  Our parents, our family, our teachers, medical practitioners, scientists, researchers, friends, musicians, politicians who unite (not divide), a religious figure, a community member or volunteer, or perhaps someone who has overcome significant challenges? What makes a leader for the challenges of 2024? Maybe it's you?
*Posthumous dedication to Alexei Navalny who was murdered by Putin - the cost of speaking truth to power.
Free D/L: track 10 of the Wigmore Allen Gibbons 2023 Album Hold On To Someone - https://www.terrywigmore.com/wigmore-allen-gibbons

                               We Need a Hero
    Do you weary of everything?
    Does it turn like machinery?
    Do you drown in a puddle?
    As deep as eternity
    Do you surrender or fight?
    Even know what is right?
    Do you just rattle your tin?
    With all your walls closing in
    WE NEED A HERO…WE NEED A HERO TO LEAD US
    NEED A HERO…WE NEED A HERO RIGHT NOW
    WE NEED A HERO…WE NEED A HERO TO LEAD US
    NEED A HERO…WE NEED A HERO RIGHT NOW…
    (Lead-guitar-break)
    Does the smell seem to lurk?
    But your pain never hurts?
    Machinations of malaise
    With all your walls closing in
    (We need a hero, hero)
    (CHORUS)

    Wigmore: production, additional vocals
    Allen: Everything Else!

Hold On To Someone

Hero

February brings a slower, pensive, ballad from the WAG fellas. Perhaps we're feeling a little sentimental, or reflective in the bleak midwinter?  Maybe it is the approach of Valentine's Day slowing things down, or is it simply age, and the desire to capture anew, the childlike wonder of looking up in a gentle snowfall?

Change is the key to being fresh in our creative approaches to music. One For The Eye is a poem I wrote in celebration of the winter season. It was adapted by Keith to better fit an easy listening composition I had sent to him earlier. Keith ran with the challenge to make a song out of these parts and delivers a song that, we trust,  gives one pause to conjure up those moments from childhood in the snow, and smile. 

Two observations offer a frame for this song:
This week, Nova Scotia, where I have family, received a record setting dump of snow (Sydney N.S. received 1.5 m), and that is where the muse opens.
The other observation is that in the west, in Alberta and Saskatchewan, where I also have family, there is too little snow accumulation leading to worries about water tables, crops, and forest fires this summer. Too much or too little is not good.

Lyrics:
One for the Eye 

Too much can be an undesirable burden
Too little leave all hopes abandoned.
One at a time,
One on the tongue,
and one in the eye.

Or could it be a warm iconic postcard?
Or would it be much better left just as Mother intended
One at a time
One on the tongue
and one in the eye

A light descent from heaven
It may be euphoric
Though always seen,  
never heard in the falling

One at a time
One at a time
One for the tongue
One for the tongue
…and one in the eye


Wigmore: Original poem, music, production
Allen: adapting lyrics, vocals, bass.

One For The Eye

An exploration of the Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda  moments of growing up -  all the moments of choice and circumstance that defined us, isolated us, made us angry and caused us to be misunderstood. Does who we were define who we will be?  
Shyling is the word Keith used to explore the young person trapped by insecurity and fear. Despite lurking on the fringes of life  through the rebelliousness of our teen and younger adult years, there is always the hope of a page being turned in the book. "Keep on shining," despite of, or because, of who we were and who we are now. The book of life is certainly a more interesting read because of our struggles. Perhaps we just need to reconcile with our past, talk to your younger self, give him/her a hug, tell him/her that you understand their struggles and there is no blame assigned. Then turn that page and live in the now.

free D/L on Terry's Wix site - www.terrywigmore.com under the Wigmore-Allen-Gibbons tab at the top of the home-screen.

Lyrics:

Shy-ling
So I’ve finally got to meet ya…my old friend
Haven’t seen you since our school days end
If ya don’t mind me saying…ya looking old
Been once or twice around the block I’m told
Got some words of wisdom, for you alone
Listen real close and take it home
Shining, shining….you were once shining (x2)
Ya shoulda treat them better…you know ya should
Ya shoulda treat them better, because they were your blood
Don’t stop, never stop, never give up
This is your trial, and it’s your own damn neck
Trying, trying… never stop trying (x2)
Every man has two wolves…a wolf deep inside
Which wolf do you feed? Which wolf do you starve?
Oh to you of dull wit, have you just been asleep?
Ya could have done better, but you sold yourself cheep
Life made you harder, but life broke your back
Surrender your future so you’ll never look back
(INST)
Jumped up, litter bug, you just don’t care
Who you rip up, or who you do tear
Don’t stop never stop, never give up
Good at being bad and bad at being good
Shy-ling, shy-ling… never stop shining (x2)
Never stop…

Wigmore: music, production
Allen: guitars, bass, lyrics, vocals

Shyling

We may not have traveled far and wide,  but Keith has a way of transporting us all over the world through his curious mind and love of history. So, why are we in Italy? Simply put, Keith loves Vespas ;)  Actually, he loves the idea of the band touring Italy on Vespas, funky hipster wheels and recording tunes as we go.  The "Sock Puppets" was a theme Keith developed as he created some videos depicting travels with the WAG puppets.
Vesari Corridor is one adventure from the Album Keith wanted to develop, found here: https://www.terrywigmore.com/wigmore-allen-gibbons
Join Keith, Kevin, and I as we travel around Italy, taking in some famous landmarks and enjoying a lot of Kevin's favourite red wines.

Lyrics:
Vasari Corridor

Da,da,da,da,dah…… Da,da,da,da,dah……(nonchalantly strolling along, minding own business:)
Down the corridor …of Vasari.

I found a secret place…somewhere safe for us to go
No prying eyes in this narrow space…a hidden alley that I know
Down the corridor…of Vasari

Da, da, dah, da, da, dah …he’s waiting.  
Da, da, dah, da, da, dah …he’s waiting

We are not allowed in here… (Do-do-do-do) If we’re careful, we’ll be fine
Avoid the blade, avoid the fear… (Do- do-do-do) and we will live till next time
Down the corridor…of Vasari

If there was a way to avoid this…hiding and subterfuge
(Down the corridor…of Vasari)
I found a secret place, somewhere safe for us to go…
(Down the corridor…down the corridor…of Vasari)
Somewhere safe for us to go…go…go…go…

(The chase commences…)

Stab him in the back…He’s never going back!
He’s Medici…He’s Medici   (repeats)

Wigmore: synths, production
Allen: Lyrics, Vocals, Guitars, Bass
Gibbons: Lyrics, Vocals

Vesari Corridor (He's Medici)

Keith purges some demons in this one. I came along to help.
Track 7 from the Wigmore Allen Gibbons album called SHYLING which can be found at : https://www.terrywigmore.com/wigmore-allen-gibbons

Cuts Like Ragged Steel

    Unfurl your banner…sound your trumpets
    Surely you will know
    To you of dull wit…all I ask for is watch until she glows

    (CHORUS)

    She floats like a ghost, like a ghost in the winter garden
    Floats like a ghost to me
    She floats like a ghost, like a ghost in the winter garden
    Floats like a ghost to me

    She cuts like ragged steel, she cuts like ragged steel
    She cuts like ragged steel through me
    She cuts like ragged steel, she cuts like ragged steel
    She cuts like ragged steel through me

    The time has flown… the light has left this page
    That read of her own doom
    A lady that was full of Grace…forever walks alone

    (CHORUS)

    (INST)

    She cuts like ragged steel, cuts like ragged steel
    She cuts like ragged steel through me
    I shoulda turned back the tide, shoulda torn down the walls
    Shoulda ripped apart the world for you
    For you
      
Wigmore: Drums, Synths, Additional Vocals, Production
Allen: Music (Guitars, Bass, Vocals), Lyrics 
@2024

Cuts Like Ragged Steel

Big Boy Toys (Terry Wigmore With Black Park Music) - https://soundcloud.com/black-park-music 
Free D/L also  at Black Park's music page : https://soundcloud.com/black-park-music/big-boy-toys-terry-wigmore-vs-black-park-music
OR 
https://mp3u.com/en/mp3/107259

An after Christmas Freudian analysis that some people never grow up -  the toys simply become bigger and more expensive! ;)

I was sent a bass phrase with a nice reggae beat, a little keyboard to punctuate the rhythm, and a few other sounds. The vibe was catchy, and melody and lyrics started flowing. A little of this and a little of that, rounded out with an editing process that ended up with this mix.

The message is a simple observation that all the "No!" messages of childhood, may lead to something later in life. We all need toys, but when you grow up (if you grow up), the kinds of things that attract us may be...a little different.

Notes:
Black Park: all the electronica and tambourines in the backing track, harmony vocals in the chorus, all the cutting and pasting of my mic'd parts, mixing and production.
Me: Guitars (mic'd Norman acoustic with some f/x), Lyrics (perhaps I was that frustrated youth?:) and vocals - additional fun utterances as well as the lead vocal.

Comments always appreciated. 

Big Boy Toys
Music: Black Park Music
Lyrics:Terry Wigmore

Oh, when I was a boy I had to have my toys.
Had to have the things that I could put my hands on
Had to touch this and I had to touch that,
And I was always gettin' my little hands slapped.

Don't touch this!
Don't touch that!
Don't touch this!
Don't touch that toy!
Don't touch this!
Don't grab that!
Don't have this Toy, Toy Toys!
Gotta have my toys,
Big Boy Toys,
Gotta have those toys.

(instrumental)

Oh, when I grew up older,
I grew a little bolder,
Put my hands on things I should have known were over,
Over-the-top,
I grabbed a little of this and touched a little of that
Those toys!
Hmmm, those....toys ;)
hmmm mmm Can't have this!
Hmmmm Can't touch that!
Oh those toys, toys, toys!
Hmmm Big Boy Toys
Gotta have my toys
Big Boy toys,
Gotta have those toys.

Big Boy Toys
Gotta have my Toys!
Big Boy Toys,
Gotta have my toys!

(Don't) Touch this!
(Don't) Touch that!
(Don't) Touch this!
(Don't) Touch that! Toys!

(Don't) Touch this!
(Don't) Touch that!
(Don't) Touch this!
(Don't) Touch that! Toys!

(Don't) Touch this!
(Don't) Touch that!
(Don't) Touch this!
(Don't) Touch that! Toys!

(c) 2014 Music: Black Park Music/ Words and Vocals: Terry Wigmore

Put Away Childish Things...Not

Big Boy Toys

One Last Time
A summer tune? Optimistic and sing-songy? A touch of nostalgia?
Back to basics for this one...simple acoustics...singalong...Smile...go on...at least dooby... a Shooby!

Wigmore: Drums/Acoustic hand drum/Synths/Backing vocals/Production
Allen : Music/Acoustic Guitars/Bass/Backing vocals
Gibbons : Lyrics/Lead Vocal/Acoustic Guitar

For those interested :
Keith: I had the chorus with nowhere to go, so I sent a video of me doing it live to T & K...Terry quickly returned a video of him playing along live with my film in the background and then Kevin in turn expanded the whole thing into an audio track. It worked! 

Geography dictates that we can't be in the same room/space/studio to do these things...but it certainly never seems that way to us :-) 

Lyrics
I was feeling older
More weight on my shoulder 
Than I’d ever felt before
And I sat deflated
But my thoughts elevated
I don’t want this anymore
Then something in the distance, a melody on the wing
My darkness surely lifted and I just had to sing

SHOOBY DOOBY WAH…SHOOBY DOOBY DO WHY…?
SHOOBY DOOBY WAH…SHOOBY DO WHY?
SHOOBY DOOBY WAH…SHOOBY DO WHY…?
EVERYBODY SING THIS ONE LAST TIME…
EVERYBODY SING THIS ONE LAST TIME

I was done with talking
so then I started walking
to a place I want to be
When I find that refuge
I won’t be so confused
It’s something that’s for me
When something in the distance, a melody on the wing
My darkness surely lifted and I just had to sing

SHOOBY DOOBY WAH…SHOOBY DOOBY DO WHY…?
SHOOBY DOOBY WAH…SHOOBY DO WHY?
SHOOBY DOOBY WAH…SHOOBY DO WHY…?
EVERYBODY SING THIS ONE LAST TIME…
EVERYBODY SING THIS ONE LAST TIME

While you’re weeping…love’s so fleeting…things can’t be so/ that bad

SHOOBY DOOBY WAH…SHOOBY DOOBY DO WHY…?
SHOOBY DOOBY WAH…SHOOBY DO WHY?
SHOOBY DOOBY WAH…SHOOBY DO WHY…?
EVERYBODY SING THIS ONE LAST TIME…
EVERYBODY SING THIS ONE LAST TIME… 
EVERYBODY SING THIS (ONE LAST TIME) (repeat out)

Kevin's Picks

Shooby Dooby (One Last Time)

*singer-songwriter

Connecting, creating and sharing with others has been quite a transformative experience and one that I trust will continue for years to come. I enjoy listening to musicians on SC, and try to leave encouraging and descriptive comments.

Terry Wigmore

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