The Smallest Of Dreams

Episode #226: The Smallest Of Dreams   (Song starts at 3:47) I found a quite extensive amount of audio of me composing this one. So I’ve included some of it on this episode. As I listened back to the process of the smallest of dreams coming together, I found it fascinating. Often songs come together quickly for me. This one was different. Each time I picked the song up, and gently sung it through, it seemed a new bit revealed itself each time. Even if what I was playing didn’t seem to be heading in the right direction, something would kick in and give me just enough to keep going. The smallest of dreams started out life as a snippet of a waltz piece on the piano, played in a completely different key. This was the moment where I recorded what I’d come up with. It was little more than just a couple of bars of not much, but it had a certain feeling about it. Over the years, I’ve learned to recognise potential in a piece of music. From there it was like kneading a piece of clay, keeping a sense of humour and being true to the feeling that came through when I recorded the initial piece of piano playing. ‘As we play see the day make the way for the smallest of dreams’. It seems the creative process of producing art and music and writing is a parallel to life itself. Play is a key element to composing. Just being free to see where the melody or chords will take you. It’s the same, as we go through our weeks: just remembering to have fun and keep moving. If we go along steadily and not rush, it seems little extra bits seem to come to us just at the right time. And that’s how it is with song writing, it’s about being on the breathe, being aware, asking questions , keeping moving and rolling with the new phrases - both musical and lyrical  - and you see where it takes you. Ok here we go. This is a very gentle ballad. With a nice 3 4 lilt. It’s the last song on the new album River Walking by myself and Paul Dredge, (streaming now). You can hear the actual album track on this episode. The lyrics are on my blog www.petepascoe.wordpress.com , plus links to more of my music and art. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed producing it,

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.