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Mar 1 choral girl-with-sibelius
Up until I was 8 years old, we would go to our small cottage every summer in the Thousand Islands - not one of the mansions - (we had an outhouse), but we also had a dock and a wonderful view of the St. Lawrence, and of Blueberry Island. It's a very small, longish island than looks like a ship sitting broadside. The prevailing winds forced its trees to mostly grow branches on only one side, and I always thought it looked like a ship. I also always wanted to visit it to see if any blueberries grew there. I loved that cottage and was very sad when my Dad sold it, but c'est la vie. Anyway, I have this wonderful memory to hold on to.
I rushed the recording of this to get it in before FAWM ends. Unfortunately some of the harmonies, especially toward the end are out of synch, and the alto part is too loud at times . . . but I got it in in time.
Blueberry Island
Words and music by Audrey Kozak 2018
Blueberry Island was small and low,
A forgotten old sailing ship.
All her pines were leaning like masts in a blow,
her sails made of boughs, worn and ripped.
I was too young, at seven to row out, explore and see,
see if blueberries grew in her scruff.
That last summer, through cottage windows the island called,
but her shores, I never did touch
[Chorus]
Blueberry Island, your beauty unspoiled,
Take me back to my childhood and your stony soil.
Take me away from the strains of today.
May your memory never fade.
Oh, Blueberry Island, I can still hear your call.
All summer long, how I yearned to discover all her secrets,
All in vain, though I made such a fuss.
That last summer through cottage windows the island called,
but her shores, I never did touch.
[Chorus]
[Outro]
Still feel your call.
I still hear your call,
Your call.
@tamsnumber4 Mar 22
Loved listening to your layers, loved how you altered some of the lines by holding some, has a bit of a church hymn feel, but very pretty!
@bethdesombre Mar 19
Beautiful harmonies! The chorus is especially evocative.
@karlsburg25 Mar 18
Audrey I am catching up o on kistening and sat here at Bahrain airport, this suddenly started working . I love the flow of this and the harmonies are perfect . I have really missed your vocal wonderment this year. I shall get to much more listening when home tomorrrow . Massive congrats on this little beauty in the mean time
@jwhanberry Mar 18
Gorgeous choral writing. A fitting ode to an important part of your childhood. My family had a vacation home on Catalina Island off of Los Angeles so I know of what you speak. Good write.
@klaus Mar 14
Such a nice and a bit bittersweet childhood story. Wonderful melodies and I really like how different voices blend and intertwine in a polyphonic manner. I guess the island is still there. Have you ever thought of going there now?
@driftwood1 Mar 14
Your choral pieces are always lovely. The harmonies are perfect. This is a nice bittersweet lyric. Calls up my own childhood memories.
@keithcuts Mar 14
Wow that’s cool stuff with the voices you are doing here. I’m new to hearing this and it sounds great!
@jenjen Mar 12
Very Pretty! I love how you mix in harmonies, I am partial to music that offers harmonies 😀 The lyrics tell an enchanting story
@elliottlawrence Mar 12
Once again, nice harmonies here! I like how especially in the chorus the vocal parts are doing completely different things. It sounds complex and beautiful. And good job getting out one last song before the deadline!
@rainchaser Mar 11
I dug the ice cream chord progression. I also liked the vocal harmonies, an interesting take on them. The chord progression has sort of a punk feeling contrasted with opera-esque vocal harmonies. An interesting twist in combing two genres I might say!
@suziewithaz Mar 9
Your voice is a delight. The vocals are perfect with this arrangement. Beautiful. Haunting and longing certainly come through.
@feeslip58 Mar 9
Your cascading harmonies are beautiful. The backstory on the song awakens childhood memories of visiting my grandfathers camp in the marsh, and of course the piano arpeggios add a wonderful backdrop to your vocals. Very nice Audrey.
@pcob1993 Mar 8
Ohh so great , I love the layered voices, they go straight through my heart. The piano is perfect here..... really gorgeous arrangement.
Thank you so much.
Pearse
@susyblue Mar 8
Very beautiful arranging here evoking your happy memories. Love when they split off in a polyphonic part and then all come together for 'memory never fade'
@hummingbear Mar 8
I'm glad you got this up in time for this FAWM, despite some minor issues. It's beautiful now, will be superb. I love the opening imagery, "All her pines were leaning like masts in a blow, / her sails made of boughs, worn and ripped." My family went to a rustic cabin on the shore of Lake Superior when we were able to have a vacation, very fond memories. Your words have captured that, the melody and harmonies are captivating.
@jamkar Mar 7
Audry, you have captured the call of the island very well here. I second the beauty of those vocals, and the simple piano provides an effective foundation. That closing outto is just gorgeous!
@darcistrutt Mar 7
Lovely harmonies and a very classical sound. Sounds like a wonderful memory.
@sailingmagpie Mar 6
Fantastic vocal arrangement in the second verse. Really nice work with the lyrics. You've definitely managed to capture the feeling of a childhood memory.
@shortdan Mar 6
Lovely lyrics and nice to know the back story. Nice melody and some fantastic vocal harmony work too.
@zecoop Mar 6
I had to come in for this one with those tags. How cool... ust beautiful and holy cow, it is so cool hearing some real vocal prowess going on here in FAWM. Even if you say it was rushed, etc. Beautiful piano backing, but the stunner here are the voices. And what a lovely story they tell. It sounds like so many places in my memory - I love exploring nature and the outdoors. Wow, this is so good - Your gorgeous singing keeps distracting me from typing! What a FAWM ending! 😀
@cleanshoes Mar 5
Lovely, nostalgic lyrics and beautiful arrangement! I sang in an a capella choir for a time in college and have a soft spot for choral music, so this is right up my alley!
@gbg2016 Mar 5
So pretty and wistful. My parents just sold my grandparents' island house and you capture that call...I might cry. Beautiful layered vocals.
@cynthiawolff Mar 5
Audrey thanks so much for your visit and your listens!!
I so appreciate it...
Are you playing piano here? so Lovely...
the choral part is excellent!!! wow!!
This reminds me of my summer vacations in Northern Wisconsin...
we would rent cabins with the family...oh the sweet days of youth...
@izaakalexander Mar 4
Again, I love your SSA choral arranging! I taught high school choir for a couple of years and love the sound. If you want to try a SSAB or SATB I'd be happy to read and record some parts for you during 50/90 or next FAWM. Keep me in mind 😀
@chipwithrow Mar 3
I am transported to your island, though I've never been anywhere close! (Although I've been other places that sound similar.)
Rustic, lovely, organic song. The vocals are charming!
@quork Mar 3
I have a soft spot for Canadian cottage songs, since the made up some important summers of my childhood. I like the clear images, the sadness of the last summer, and how you never got there but still think about it. Great piano and harmonies.
@gslade Mar 3
You got a talent for this. I've enjoyed all of your tracks so far. I see you're like me and only got a few up this year.
Are you doing 50/90?
@ericdistad Mar 2
This is very lovely! The vocal harmony is fantastic! The flowing piano makes the perfect backdrop to let these vocals soar. The lyrical image is perfect - I think most of us have one of those places that we had when we were young and this taps into it very well.
Excellent work!
@billgcaldwell Mar 2
Easy to see this through a youngsters eyes. The magical place that couldn't be corrupted in your memory. Hope to see you back here next year and best of music til then.
@kahlo2013 Mar 2
This is absolutely gorgeous and captures the nostalgia and magic of the Thousands Islands region! The longing is palpable! The vocals are absolutely gorgeous.
@seemanski Mar 2
The vocals are lovely. You have got some interesting harmonies and melodies flowing around in this. The piano works very nicely as an accompaniment.
@roy Mar 1
What beautiful harmonies, well-chosen and a lovely delivery. I especially love the really high backing harmony that sustains. Ethereal!
@tpthehouse Mar 1
Cool story! I love the imagery and history in the liner notes. And I wouldn't have known you were using Sibelius if you didn't put that in the tag. I also like how the vocal layers trade off and bounce in and out!
@zxcvbnm Mar 1
The usual high standard of production, lovely voice, and don't knock your piano however it is done it sounds great! I would have liked to read the lyrics while I listen, so once they are posted I'll give it another go. Well Done!
@tseaver Mar 1
Good story. The layering of the harmonies works really well.