On poems, musical companionship, the folk scene, songs as layered creations, and the ‘cherry on top’
(Photo: TD)
“This is another one that started off as a poem,” Ray says, introducing his second original song of the afternoon.
We are at the Mountbatten Folk Club. The Island-based musicians who convene this club have so-far offered a mix of old favourites, sea shanties and a few original songs. Ray sang one of his songs earlier. Now he’s premiering a new one, God’s Garden.
“This one’s got some, la la la’s in it,” he adds. “You’ll pick it up as we go along…” Which we do, singing along with gusto, the la la la’s…
Come on now just take my hand,
I know you will understand,
because —-
Tomorrow is a new day .
La la la la la la la
La la la la la….
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Ray is an outpatient at Mountbatten and he’s been making music there since January. He collaborates with Fraser Simpson from Nordoff and Robbins, writing and developing his songs. Ray met Fraser through the individual and group music therapy service Fraser offers, part of Mountbatten’s Living Well Programme. Ray has a, “small portfolio of some songs that I have written in the past and need to work on.” He has three more he’s written while working with Fraser – If I could turn the clock back, God’s Garden, and I still care. The songs are beautiful, powerful…
Photo: Matt White
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As Ray told the folk group, the songs often began as poems, some of them penned a while back, some of them fresh, some of them adapted for setting to music. Ray describes how, when he first showed a poem to Fraser, a gleam appeared in Fraser’s eye and Ray knew immediately what was coming next – the suggestion that Ray should set the poem to music….
Ray’s work with Fraser at Mountbatten has rekindled a long-standing interest in music. Ray has been singing, playing the guitar and writing songs on and off for nearly 30 years. “Many years ago, I used to go to a folk club, and enjoyed singing sea shanties and traditional folk music,” he says, “I’ve really got the music bug now so there’s no stopping me.”
L to R: Richard, Tony, Ray, Jackie, Eric, Alan, John
(photo TD)
Tia asked the two of them how they thought Fraser might be helping in the song-writing process, and – given that Fraser’s job is to work as a music therapist – whether this was music ‘therapy’, music making, or a combination of the two ….
Fraser said: “Because Ray was already quite proficient and independent as a musician, he did not need my help in stepping into music in the way that some people do. What I think I’m offering him is a kind of ‘musical companionship’. He and I talk about the craft of song writing and performing (such as which might be the most suitable key to sing in). I provide backup vocals and instrumental accompaniment. We review works in progress and – just as audience members do, I witness and value the creativity and sentiments expressed in the work of a fellow artist.”
Ray said: “I have always loved music, it is very important to me, both performing as well as listening to it, so it may have always been a form of therapy for me anyway, but either way I still enjoy it. I think we [Fraser and Ray] would make a good duo (Simon and Garfunkel -) The way I see it is like this – I mix the main ingredients for the trifle, i.e. the words and tune, and Fraser sprinkles on the topping and puts the cherry on top.”
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Gary Ansdell
Care for Music 