Betsy V
It all started as a child. I would sit next to my brother Phil and play repetitive bass patterns on the piano while he created beautiful music. The doorway was opened. From there I entered in on a journey that began with Piano, continued with the French Horn, then lead me into the powerful and beautiful world of West African percussion, and I'm still traveling.
What an amazing trip it's been so far.
When I began this project I visualized it as a seed that when planted would grow in people's hearts to create happiness, even if for just a moment. The sounds I created came from instruments and various objects laying around the house. I discovered that wok lids created an amazing sound as did paint cans, fry pans etc.. I would sit on the floor surrounded by these objects and start with one sound. Then as a seed grows so did the songs.
Water on the field it began with a trumpet line and it took the longest to finish. The song is all about how there is alot to be done in this world to make it right. We can't play when there is water on the field. It speaks of the divide between people that comes from fear and the liberating power of love.
Old Glory began with a tinkertoy canister. Who would have known they can sound just like a timbale drum? This song portrays how the strength of a few good people can change seemingly impossible things. There was a 400 year old oak tree in a Southern California track housing community that a few earth conscious citizens wanted to save from a land developer. It started with only a few people and in the end created a gathering of over 1000 people. That beautiful tree planted seeds in many people's once closed minds. Soccer moms ditched their starbucks and pitched a tent under the tree in protest. Although the tree was moved it did survive and still continues to inspire and feed many beings who are in it's presence.
One by One was my very first song completed on this album. In many ways it was something I was working through in my day to day encounters with other people. I was feeling a heavy disconnect that was disillusioning to say the least. Life started to appear as though everyday people got out of thier own bed, to leave their own home, to get in their own car, to shop or do things for their life and then started all over again the next day. The true sense of community and the human need to be connected has been slowly eroding and depression and general dissatiisfaction has been prevailing. Children are the best examples of connected beings, where the most important thing to them is other children. One by one speaks of the child within, to leave one's fear behind and help carry each other, one by one.
No Blame pretty much says it all. It delivers a message that to move through life, you got to give up pointing the finger. Stagnant pain and frustration is ultimately the result of blaming and not forgiving. Life's to short, so sing, dance shout, do whatever it takes to move the pain out.
Don't Know Why is about the illusion of individuality and separateness, and the divisive nature it breeds in our society. Not to be cheesy but there is no I in the word love.
The world is a big beautiful place where music keeps us united. I feel blessed to contribute to this universal connection.