This is, literally, my musical diary–notes fresh from my pen and recorded in a few hours. You can find my finished works elsewhere; here, it's all about capturing the moment!
Here’s a little gem left over from 2023’s recording session with Steve Talaga. You might remember that Steve and I pounded out demos of over a dozen songs in an afternoon. I tell you that to make sure your expectations are sufficiently low.
In this particular case, we recorded Mr. McJudgypants live on piano and electric bass, and then I went back later and added drums and electric guitars. So, if in some spots, you wonder what has happened to Steve’s impeccable timing and groove, I can assure you it is no fault of his. He was playing to a rhythm section that didn’t yet exist!
Now, a more pressing question: Who is Mr. McJudgypants? The sheet music says that he is the son of Mr. Green Genes. Hmm… Though his true identity remains shrouded in mystery, I will say he reminds me a lot of my younger son, Theo, who has a knack for asking rhetorical questions in a way that lets you know you’re on the wrong side of right.
I continue to work my way through Michael Morgan’s Psalms, while also building toward a future jazz/gospel Psalm album. Those two things came together in this new song, a warm jazz ballad of Psalm 75.
One of the things I love about Michael Morgan’s Psalms is that he doesn’t shy away from difficult sections like, “In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs,” but he somehow finds a way to place it in the context of a tender, loving God who wants the best for us.
Interesting composition story*: I often write a few completely different versions of a song. I write them quickly, without much editing. That allows me some subjectivity and gives me options to choose from as I move forward. In this case, I began by identifying the basic rhythm I heard in the text: 3 unstressed syllables leading to a stressed syllable. (O God, your DEEDS are un-sur-PASSED, etc.)
That led to a first draft in a modal style. It had its charms, but also had some range issues. The second attempt was a pentatonic melody that was lovely, but reminded me of some things I’ve written before. Today I sat down at the piano and this jazz melody poured out almost as fast as I could write it. It combines some of the better features of the earlier tunes, but has a more interesting harmonic structure and satisfying form. Voila! I fired up my musical robots (Band-in-a-Box) and produced this quick demo by the end of the day. Very satisfying.
O God, your deeds are unsurpassed; no richer grace can earth impart. Your Name is near; you hold us fast. Your love enfolds each yearning heart, your love enfolds each yearning heart.
1. Remove our pride lest we must taste the judgment cup of bitter gall. Let not our bold ambitions take the praise from you, who gives us all. Refrain
2. In truth, all judgment comes from you, whatever earthly courts decree; the evil by your justice fall; the righteous through your grace are free. Refrain
3. Help us to know humility, to follow you in all your ways. From self-conceit, Lord, set us free, to know ourselves and sing your praise. Refrain
*Let’s be honest: there has never been an interesting composition story.
I wanted to feel like I had accomplished something last week, so Friday afternoon I recorded a quick demo of a new Psalm setting. (And then promptly didn’t have time to post it…)
The lyrics are the work of Michael Morgan and were written for the Timeless Psalter to the tune of TOULON. While that tune’s rugged beauty portrays the regal aspects of Psalm 89:1-8 well, I thought there was room for a more gentle interpretation of the Psalm and Michael’s metrical version of it.
Working in a jazz ballad style allowed the tenderness I was hoping for and also gave me lots of room to move harmonically. I love how the key of C quickly turns into a winding path that eventually leads to a chorus in E. No F#. Wait…Bb? And then back to C. And yet for all the twists and turns, it remains quite singable.
1. For all your loving acts, O Lord, I sing; my mouth will shout your faithfulness and care; and heaven’s grateful host will honor bring to you, who wondrous gifts so freely share.
2. What other god of earth and sky can boast the great and awesome blessings you afford? What other mighty one among the host deserves such praise that we should call him “Lord?”
The sky belongs to you, the earth, and all that fill its fertile lands from shore to shore. Your arm with strength will lift us when we fall, and righteousness endure for evermore.
3. Send down true justice from your lofty throne, and all-infusive light shine on our ways, for only by your will such joy we own, and for your gracious favor give you praise!
I collaborated with Michael Morgan many times before his death in 2022. Not long before he died, he sent me a collection of new Psalm settings he had written after the publication of his collection of all 150 Psalms, Psalter for Christian Worship. I have received permission from his estate to continue to write music for his Psalm settings; I like the idea of keeping his memory and work alive after his death.
In this latest collaboration, I used a setting of Psalm 87 that he wrote for Emily Brink. That made my work even more special, as Emily is a long-time friend.
Psalm 87 is a beautiful and surprising prophecy of how God will draw all nations to the holy city of Zion. Long-time enemies like Babylon and Philistia will miraculously be welcomed into God’s family. Psalm 87 goes so far as to say that God loves these outsiders enough to fudge the royal registry: “This one was born in Zion.” This is a lovely reminder that God’s understanding of insiders and outsiders has always been more gracious than ours. Michael Morgan captures this as “generations to be numbered, sons and daughters yet unborn” are “future heirs of Israel.” Beautiful.
I matched these hopeful, expansive lyrics with a buoyant melody in 3/4 whose tempo marking is “bright and regal.” It can be sung as a four-part hymn (Michael was an organist) or as a folk-ish praise song (I’m a guitarist). In the demo above, I’ve combined both of these, creating a style that has a bit of a Celtic or even Medieval flair.
1. Zion, fair and glorious city, sanctuary, grand and sure, where God’s chosen dwell in splendor, ever sheltered and secure.
Glorious things of you are spoken; Jacob’s halls no more excel. On your holy mount are cherished future heirs of Israel.
2. Generations to be numbered, sons and daughters yet unborn rise to greet their God in wonder, looking to the sunlit morn. Chorus
3. Singers raise their songs of gladness; dancers leap with joy anew; Through the seasons everchanging all our springs are found in you! Chorus
Not more than a few weeks after I completed a song based upon Psalm 32, my long-time lyrical collaborator, Doug Gay, sent me a beautiful rendering of the same Psalm. “Well,” I thought, “you can never get enough of Psalm 32.”
Whereas “Blessed Is the One” has an almost Middle Eastern groove, “When I Kept Silent” is an understated Celtic ballad.
Give a listen to both versions and let me know what you think. Is there one you like better as a listener? One you’d be more likely to use in your congregation? Do you hear different nuances of Psalm 32’s message in the two songs?
1. Happy are all those whose sins are removed. Blessed are all souls at home in God’s love. Happy are all folk whose conscience is clear. Blessed are all those whose hearts are sincere.
When I kept silent I wasted away, burdened by guilt every night, every day. When I acknowledged my sin to the Lord, I was forgiven, I was restored.
2. Come then, you faithful, and pray now to God when trouble rises all round like a flood. God is your shelter and your hiding place. God will surround you with strength and with grace.
3. God says, “I’ll teach you the ways you should choose.” God says, “I’ll show you the paths you should use. Walk in my wisdom, my joy will be yours. Trust me and follow, my mercy is sure.”
I’ve had the idea of writing a love song about the tip of the iceberg for years. But FAWM 2025 finally gave me the kick in the bummock I needed to finish it.*
Discerning listeners will note overtones of They Might Be Giants’ “Don’t Let’s Start.” Indeed, TMBG have been a big influence on me. Mostly, it’s just a fun song that I could bang out quickly.
And that’s what FAWM is all about: 14 songs in 28 days. Over the years, FAWM has taught me to write quickly, reserving initial judgment. There’s always a chance to go back and edit a song–or even throw it in the rubbish–but you can’t do anything with a song you haven’t written. Ditto for the recording process. I could spend weeks on each demo I record, but instead I work ten times as quickly as most people and learn ten times as many valuable lessons that I can apply to “real” recordings.
But maybe I’m just trying to validate a kind of stupid idea. Your call.
1. Oh, Valentine, I just can’t hide all the passion that I have inside me. It makes me sigh–I don’t know why. How do you woo me when you don’t even seem to try?
2. Hey, Valentine, I have to confide: I never thought I’d fall for the brainy type. We were friends and that was grand and that is all it was when all of this began.
I wanted love that was firm and lasting and I didn’t know if I was being stupid and just typecasting. And then you showed me that
That was just the tip of the iceberg.
2. I don’t know, maybe I thought you were cold, but soon my heart was melting what I thought was frozen. I don’t want to make the point too fine, but sometimes it felt you showed me only 12.5
percent of the real you–were you leading me on? Below the surface there was so much more, and I loved what I saw.
When you showed me the tip of the iceberg.
BRIDGE
Oh, Valentine, it was all a surprise. now that I’ve seen below the surface I’m ready to take a dive.
I’ve been playing around with stacked fourths a lot lately. “Don’t we all, Greg?” You say. I certainly hope so; it’s great fun.
In this song, I combined the open, biting sound of a melody stacked in fourths on top of an ethereal bass groove. I think this tune’s a winner, but the demo is certainly not. I didn’t have muted trumpets and saxophones at my disposal, so I used the melodica–not exactly the king of jazz horns.
This song started when a single line popped into my head: “It could have been worse, but I’m not sure how.” Certainly a promising opening, right? As I played with it, “worse” rhymed with “hearse” and suddenly it turned into a song about a guy who has died, yet remains hopeful. What can I say? I go where the music leads.
If you love yourself some Ataris, this one’s for you.
1. It could have been worse,
but I’m not sure how.
We all arrived in a hearse
and they won’t let me out.
They said it’s all up from here,
but now I’m not so sure,
‘cause I’m gasping for air
and they’re shoveling dirt.
It’s been a year.
It’s all up from here.
I try to see things on the bright side
even when they’re looking bleak.
What’s the point in dramatizing
everything?
2. Things are looking up
even though I’m down.
I thought I’d had enough,
when it was just starting out.
But it’s not so bad.
(It’s also not so great.)
Maybe I should be sad,
but that can probably wait.
Chorus
3. As the crowd dispersed,
I realized
it was so well rehearsed
that nobody cried.
But it could have been worse
though I’m not sure why.
And even though it still hurts.
I’ll just give it some time.
Shortly after Cindy Prince heard my music for her lyrics “Only Good Vibes,” she sent me a message: “Do you do jazz?” Clearly, in the short time we’ve known each other, she’s learned that I can’t resist a challenge! Yes, I do jazz. And I had a ton of fun working with her song, “That Mr. Jazz.”
I decided to (kind of) take part in FAWM 2025. That is, I’m not committing to writing all 14 songs (or the ensuant mania required to complete that task). However, I’m dipping in and out, contributing when I can.
The other day, I came across a cool lyric by Cindy Prince that was in need of music. I pounded out a dance ditty in about two hours, start to finish. I quite like how it turned out!
