Help Me

Episode #70: Help Me  (Song starts at 7:24 ) Hi there, from Melbourne. Once again, here I am behind the mic, at the piano, looking at another song from a while ago - or that was what I thought.  But…I pushed a button without realising it. An 80s synth sound came through loud and clear, when I was expecting a piano sound. I let this take me somewhere and I leapt in and started composing an ...80s rock song. So this may well become a song which I'll finish and release at some point in the future - and you heard it first on this podcast! Now, back to the song at hand, Help Me, after all these years, is topical this week (I wrote it in 1998! ). It's lockdown here, again, in Melbourne. Man, it's been really, really challenging as a musician artist, these last 15 months.  But the art and music have kept my wheels on - I've loved sharing so many songs and creative ideas, anecdotes and observations on this podcast so far. I've also been panting seascapes flat out. So with gigs and arts markets being cancelled ( and most my piano teaching ), I've been emailing and following up seascape commission enquires, doing all sorts..  As well, I've been doing my blog (www.petepascoe.wordpress.com). .....and some music - and this (mainly) what we are here to talk about.  With everything going on, it is with a sense of relief and excitement when I go into my studio, select and old demo and create a show around the song.  I really like today's song. It's a bluesy number with a strong groove, some excellent lead guitar from Paul Dredge (NZ), my song writing buddy.   So if you want to escape off into songwriting land with me, come on... Let's see where it takes us.  Help me is basically a cry for help. With lyrics like these, it's tempting (and logical ) to write a ballad, especially when your writing on the piano. I'm pleased with this song: I think it really sounds like it's been written on guitar, with a band. So today's song is a bit different from some of my piano / vocal songs ... Ok grab a cuppa, here we go - here's 30 minutes of creativity, fun and exploration. Enjoy! 

Om Podcasten

Be entertained with a song and an extended chat, ranging from off the cuff banter/humour to life observations and song analysis. Welcome to Song and a Chat. This is the podcast where you'll have the pleasure of listening to a new song each week - plus, you'll get to step into the shoes of a songwriter : You'll hear about the background of the song, the inspiration, how/ why the song came into being.  After the song finishes, I'll go over the lyrics and finish each episode by looking at the song from a songwriting point of view. If you just want the song and no talk, the time where the song kicks in will be in the title of each episode. Hi, my name is Pete Pascoe. I am a performer and composer - I love lyrics and I love a melody. I play piano and sing. I have a number of albums to my name.  I have written over 800 songs. Of course, not all of these songs I written will make it onto an album. As a songwriter, the first step for a new song is ( or was ) to record a demo. Often you catch something unique in this demo - something that is often not replicated in the studio cut....a certain feeling.  If you're looking to be entertained, like listening to new songs and live recordings, I hope you'll enjoy what's on offer here. I have a stack of demos from which I'm sharing one on a weekly basis. Plus I relate anecdotes about my life as a piano man, from around the time each song was written. I treat each show as a mini intimate concert - with extended chat, which ranges from off the cuff banter/humour to life observations and analysis. The idea is : the song can be listened to for pleasure in its own right, or the listener may choose to also be entertained and informed by the story around the song.  I'm really enjoying recording these podcasts. Each week I look forward to getting behind the mic, setting aside my current musical and artistic projects and casting my mind back in time by focussing on a song I've composed. It's turning out to be a satisfying - and sometimes surprising - time of reflection and discovery for me.  The lyrics and the recordings take me straight back to when the song was written. Gain an insight into songwriting and listen to a series of snapshots of life of a songwriter / performer / artist.  It's a great way for me to archive a song and it's 'back story'. Music is to be shared. What point is there In having five songbooks and piles of demos gathering dust?  I welcome feedback - whether you're tuning in to enjoy music for music's sake, you enjoy finding out about the origins of songs, you're looking for tips on songwriting or perhaps you've got tips for me. Either way, I'll be learning plenty as I go along. Thanks for a having a read. Come on and join me for a listen.