Friday, December 17, 2010

A Brand-New Christmas Song


A Brand-New Christmas Song

Music seems to always be playing through the halls here at The House of Edward. Both Edward and Apple have grown up with music all around them, following The Songwriter to his studio often and listening to our classical radio station whenever we are out - a fact that, I am convinced, plays no small part in the cultivation of their calm and genial demeanours.

I often think that everyone’s life has a soundtrack - music that we instinctively reach for whenever we’re happy, or blue - music that seems in a strange way to define us, at least in part. I see the face of a good, old friend whenever I hear the strains of a Sergio Mendes tune on the radio. And every single Beatles song reminds me of The Songwriter. Certain songs can immediately spirit us away to a favourite spot, unique in our memory. Others can call to mind a person we’ve perhaps not seen in years.

I wholeheartedly believe in the magical power of music to set the perfect mood for any occasion. If you think about it, I would bet that the songs you choose to listen by the seaside are not the same ones you opt for in a snow-covered ski lodge. For myself, every summer dinner party always benefits from the sounds of Astrid Gilberto drifting past a breezy window. I always clean out closets each season to Billie Holiday. There’s something about her mournful tone that fits the task nicely without becoming tiresome. I can’t tell you how many outfits I’ve tried on - standing in front of the mirror, assessing whether this skirt or that jacket stays or goes - whilst Billie sings Moonlight in Vermont in the background. She makes the task much more than bearable.
This year I cooked the Thanksgiving meal to the accompaniment of Bach’s Brandenberg Concertos No. 3 and No. 5, along with a sprinkling of John Prine, and I cannot imagine waltzing through the Christmas season without a bit of Perry Como or Johnny Mathis to make my steps a bit lighter.
These past few days I’ve been enjoying a beautiful new recording of Gabriel Faure’s Requiem op. 48, sent to me by a dear blogging friend who resides in the French countryside. It, along with Edward and a hot cup of Horlicks, has been the perfect companion on these bone-chilling nights.

And just this week, The Songwriter released a brand-new Christmas song that, I have to say, is really lovely. It’s destined to become a part of our holiday soundtrack here and it might perhaps become part of yours as well.
You can download it HERE,and it’s also on iTunes.


Happy Listening.
Happy Christmas.

21 comments:

  1. Music means everything. Christmas songs from my youth still play an important part. I wish The Songwriter well!

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  2. I was just listening to the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah and it brings back SUCH memories of my father and the Christmas Eve candle service that we went to every year of my childhood.

    I always think that being able to make music is one of most wonderful gifts/talents. It is blessed to be a songwriter -- AND to live with one!

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  3. Your Songwriter's voice is beautiful!

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  4. Sweet song. In winter, I find myself listening to Norwegian folk and medieval dance music and carols. And the Brandenburgs just seem to go with every moment....

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  5. Thanks you for sharing this with your blog friends! Music is very important to me and I love music playing all the time.

    Love the song!

    Best
    Tracy :)

    ..Because of you, I am hooked on Horlicks:)

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  6. Music is so wonderful to work to and to stay calm and relaxed (if that is the mood you are in....

    Beautiful image!

    xoxo

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  7. You're so right Pamela, in fact a piece of music can be almost as evocative as a particular perfume - take you right back there in a shot!
    Sharon

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  8. You speak my mind, there is nothing what could not be enhanced with wonderful music.
    I love the songwriter's voice!

    I just added music with a playlist only blogs! People can listen in or opt out!
    Pamela, why don't you come on over and have a look at my latest post and first give - away?

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  9. Thank you Pamela and yes music is the very heartbeat of every task that I do...My early soundtrackt was British invasion music that I still listen to on Friday nites while watching Youtube and seeing all those fab 60’s bands which I still think blows everything you see today out of the water. Your husband is super talented...so beautiful..

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  10. I love music too. I now have a wonderful image of Edward and Apple wandering through a winter woodland with ethereal music waftign by on the breeze...

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  11. I hear you Pamela. I love giving music as a gift and finding the perfect fit. I thought of you today as I was having a listen to Loreena McKennitt's, are you familiar with her?
    Best wishes to you, Edward and your talented Songwriter for a wonderful Christmas Pamela.

    Jeanne xx

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  12. PS...love the song, just popped it onto my Facebook page :)

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  13. I can only clean house to La Traviata!
    The songwriter is a talented man, as are you, I do enjoy your creations.

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  14. SO SO SO true about the music meaning something!! :)

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  15. It's so true Pamela. Music is the perfect backdrop to our lives...and it somehow makes our everyday existence a little better. I know I have it on constantly. We're big Billie fans here too!

    Bravo to the Songwriter. He has a lovely voice!

    H.H.

    H.H.

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  16. Having music playing makes all house cleaning duties go faster. I like playing sad songs when I'm sad. They allow me to wallowing in sadness...I think I get it over with sooner that way. Weird, but it works for me.

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  17. Years ago, I fell in love with James Taylor's voice. Now I have listened to your Songwriter I am in love all over again.

    Have a wonderful Christmas Pamela x

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  18. Music is very important. I know that !

    xo
    Anci

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  19. The only college paper I remember enjoying writing was one on music therapy. Music can calm you and music can rouse you...I can't imagine living without it. How lucky you are to live with a music maker!

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  20. Pamela, I found your blog on a sidebar of another blog I follow. Your writing is so lyrical and beautiful. I was awestruck by your amazing dog ... Edward is gorgeous! I am a true dog-lover myself, we have 2 afghan hounds.
    I was enjoying reading your blog and then saw the Christmas song, which I'm going to go listen to in a minute, but suddenly that name became very familiar to me... I am supposing that your husband had "The Pat Terry Group" my husband and I listened to in the seventies?!?!?

    I shall come back to visit, have a very Merry, Beautiful and Inspiring Christmas,

    ~ Violet

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  21. I will listen to this when I'm home (my speakers are disabled at work and I am reading this before I start the working day!)

    Christmas music is so prescious- and Christmas books- well both obviously only when they are good- but I think this most certainly will be!

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!