James Lee Stanley

My bay area friend Caren Armstrong, who is doing a show at Freight and Salvage this weekend in Berkley (information on the show at the end of the post), sent me this rumination on how, where and why songs are born.   We both thought that you would enjoy it.   It seems you have to always be open to the possibility.

THE LIFE OF A SONG

LEAVING LINCOLN COUNTY

Summer 2000
Driving across Eastern Washington to visit friends between shows my journey slows down as I wait forReferences a ferry on a warm Sunday morning. I get out with my notebook to sit in the quiet air and write down the first thing I see, a sign that reads: “You are leaving Lincoln County”. This causes big chunks of song to come tumbling out of me and as I write, the trip across the lake on the ferry intermingles with my sadness over the news that someone I loved has just passed. When I arrive at my destination my understanding friends point me at the “writer’s shack” and leave me in peace to finish my song, “Leaving Lincoln County”.

Fall 2007
I receive a call from the same friends in Eastern Washington with sad news. The cancer had returned/spread. Further treatment declined. Through my tears I take the amazing opportunity to heap appreciation on my friend before we said good-bye, for what I knew to be the last time. Her partner called last week to say she was gone. It will be from a different place that I sing this song in the future:

“Three days ago, I left Sacramento
Where I said good-bye to someone
For what I knew to be the last time
I’ve driven 1300 miles, but that’s nothing on the distance
That my friend traveled yesterday, in the blink of an eye…”
(From Leaving Lincoln County)

Winter 2005
I receive a lovely, hand painted card from my artist friend for Solstice that ends:

“May you drink from the well of your heart”.

The next day, a close friend’s mother passes at 96, leaving behind a family legacy three generations strong. I am asked to sing for her memorial service. Sitting in my living room in the Oakland Hills I gaze through the eucalyptus at the winter sunset strumming my guitar and wondering what I will play. A wire crosses in my brain and the title track to my CD; “EVERYTHING” is born, written so quickly that my pencil can barely chase the words across the paper.

Winter 2007
My artist friend loses her partner, abruptly, tragically, before his time. She writes me that she listens to “EVERYTHING” over and over again for comfort. I can’t help but wonder about her inspiring the song that two years later will soothe her shocking loss.

“Now the days draw dark
As the year dies down
And the spring lies
Frozen in the fallow ground
Bide your time, mind the fire
No belief is required
The seasons teach the reason
That we cycle around
Again and again
Every ending a Beginning

And if things should fall apart
May Kindness be your finest work of art
May you dream
May you dwell
May you drink from the well
Drink from the Well of your Heart
May you Drink from the Well of Your Heart”
(from “Everything”)

It occurs to me that life is as mysterious as songwriting and I wonder why I presume to think that I ever do more than just hold the pencil.

CAREN ARMSTRONG IN CONCERT AT THE FREIGHT & SALVAGE

WHEN: Sunday, April 10th 8:00pm

WHO: Caren Armstrong with Joe Craven and Joshua Zucker

WHAT: An inspired evening of award winning original music.

WHERE: The Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse 2020 Addison Street / Berkeley, CA 94704  (510) 644-2020 / info@freightandsalvage.org

“Award winning Singer/Songwriter Caren Armstrong is a mighty force in a petite package. At barely 5’2? she is a living testament to the art of Self-Expression. Armstrong's signature performances skillfully combine dynamic, multi-colored vocals and a highly accomplished guitar style with intelligent, at times hysterical lyrics.  Caren dusts off the term ‘singer/songwriter’ with a polish revealing delightful wit, great chops and a convincing passion for how she feels about the world.” Bob Stane Coffee Gallery Backstage, Pasadena CA

For this concert at the Freight & Salvage, Caren will be joined by two of the Bay Area's most accomplished side-men; Joe Craven, inspired virtuoso of all things strung or banged upon, brilliant collaborator, master of the loud shirt. On upright bass and harmony vocals, Joshua Zucker, player of choice by just about every major act in the Bay Area. We will be recording this unique evening, and invite all lovers of spontaneous, inspired, joyful musical expression to attend.

The venerable Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse is an all-ages, non-smoking, alcohol-free, state of the art performance venue located in Berkeley, California.  Tickets for this concert are $20.50 in advance and $22.50 at the door and available at www.thefreightandsalvage.org.

For more information visit www.carenarmstrong.com.