We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 USD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

Again, this one has actually gone through several name changes and mood swings since I first composed the song in 1972. It was originally written as a solo vehicle for jazz great Gene Bertoncini, whose guitar I wrote for several times during the Arranger's Workshop Sessions at the Eastman School of Music. The next year, it was transformed into the second movement of a suite for Studio Orchestra called, "Divina Luz" and performed on that year's Arranger's Holiday concert. That version was a slow ballad featuring solo piano. One more time as "Slow Flight to Alpha Centauri," a rock ballad for the quintet I had while living in Grand Junction, CO in the early 80's before creating this last version with its final title, as a jazz samba for vocal and combo. Sometimes, you can get a lot of mileage out of one idea!

Composition-wise, it is one of my best pieces. Rhonda L Thomas did a fabulous job, giving it life through her golden voice, and I played Fender Jazz Bass and Fender Rhodes electric piano on it. Once again, John Pierce gave a stunning performance on guitar solo, followed by myself on the Fender Rhodes. The instrumentation was pretty straight ahead, as it was only rhythm section and vocal. The drums and congas were virtual instruments, the rest live.

Vocal
Guitar | Fender Rhodes Electric Piano | Fretless Electric Bass | Drums | Congas

This composition marks one of the only times I attempted to write a set of lyrics (and definitely the only one that will be released as a vocal). I wanted to have the listener immediately get a sense that in order to deal with the madness of the world (like some of the insanity we are dealing with at present), all we have to do is go into our own imagination and create something more charming.

lyrics

There's a special place I found to visit
whenever I need to leave behind
the madness of the world (it's so dark and serious).
I find the rainbow skies of this beautiful place

so inviting to the eyes. Their colors
can chase away even the darkest clouds,
which seem to follow me when I lose sight of
the magic of the stars. They give us the sparklies that we need

to soar above all those big and fluffy white clouds,
as they start to chase and play tag with the wind.
Looking down I see brightly colored butterflies
dancing all around pretty flowers. They seem to say,

"There's a magic in the air – just feel it."
Now, take my hand and believe it.
The time we spend inside our imagination
gives us what we need to become what we dream.

Sometimes, we get caught up in the games
that all of the trolls are playing just to make us feel real bad about ourselves.
That's the time to go back to that special place
with the fluffy clouds, pretty flowers, and butterflies.

If you really want to know how to get there,
just close your eyes tight and then look for
the fiery pools of light and the center where
imagination is such a nice place to be.

credits

from What Was Can Still Be, track released July 22, 2022
Rhonda L Thomas, Vocal

Tony SingingEagle, Fender Rhodes Electric Piano; Fretless Fender Jazz Bass; VST Drums & Percussion.

John Pierce, Guitar.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Tony SingingEagle image

Tony SingingEagle Sacramento, California

I have been an “music arranger for hire” for over 50 years. Now, at 70 years old, time to start recording and releasing my own (backlog of 25+) compositions. My style is mainly Jazz in its many sub genres, scored mostly for Jazz Ensemble and Studio Orchestra. My main goal is not to “make it big” either reputation-wise or monetarily. I simply want people to hear my music. ... more

contact / help

Contact Tony SingingEagle

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Tony SingingEagle, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Fabiana Palladino stops by to talk about her mesmeric debut LP.
listen now