An adaptation of the song subsequent to its original version that was in our 3rd CD, Ariel (first released 2000, then on French label Prikosnovénie 2001), it features half the song in French.
Alternative title: ‘Thoughts of a Blackbird’
Unique to this mix, never before released, is singing by one of my nieces, Lucy Jane Goss, when she was a child. She begins in English, then halfway through moves to French. This suits the song's lyric structure beautifully, since verse 2 was always a repetition of verse 1.
‘The river is moving. The blackbird must be flying.’
(‘Thirteen ways of looking at a blackbird’, by Wallace Stevens)
from
Hob and Bud - compilation for Faeriecon,
released November 30, 2020
Lyrics & Melody: Mark Krol & Louisa John-Krol, inspired by 'The Goldberg Variations' by J.S. Bach.
French translation by Catherine and Lucy Jane Goss
Child Vocals: Lucy Jane Goss, with backing by Catherine Goss, recorded by Harry Williamson at Spring Studio
Original Vocals & Mandolin: Louisa John-Krol
This version involved two engineers at separate times and locations: both Harry Williamson at Spring Studio & Brett Taylor at Pilgrim Arts.
Re-recording & artistic programming of this version: Harry Williamson at Spring Studio.
Credits for original orchestral lines etc. referenced in this adaptation:
Violin: George Vi of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Cello: Caerwen Martin, also of MSO, and leading Soundwood Strings Quartet, which later reformed as Silo Strings Quartet
Arranged (based on Louisa's melodies), scored, conducted, directed, recorded & mixed by Brett Taylor (Pilgrim Arts) at Siamese Studio courtesy of Sean Bowley (Eden), 1990's. Hand percussion: Brett Taylor.
Artistic direction: Mark Krol, Brett Taylor, Harry Williamson.