song would be recorded in a professional studio & put on a
record being produced by Church musician Giovanni Carrea.
I wanted to enter (& win!) so I began spending my free time trying
to compose my first song asking God, all the while, to give me
inspiration. I struggled to compose for 2 months but then, on 22
April 1977 (just 3 days before the deadline date for entries) the
following happened. It came to my mind to change my
composing method and - (instead of trying to compose using my
guitar) to just -- blow with my mouth using my "bazooka" (kazoo)
instrument. Then, immediately - with the first attempt - there
flowed out a very pleasant tune & I began writing lyrics to it
simultaneously, all within about 5 minutes. Amazing, I thought.
I titled it "Blue Skies" (taking the first words I was inspired to
write), quickly recorded it on to cassette, then ran for 3 mins to a
post box - hoping I hadn't missed the last collection. When I
arrived, the van came so I had only just made it in time! Whew!
Now some days later I received a letter from Giovanni stating I
had won. He asked me whether I would like to sing the song
myself in the studio, and play guitar along with his backing
musicians? That was unexpected, but excitedly, I replied "yes".
The recording took place 12 June 1977 at 'Beck' Recording
Studio, Wellingborough, U.K. seven days before I turned 18.
Whilst sitting in the recording booth I gave thanks to God for the
record being produced by Church musician Giovanni Carrea.
I wanted to enter (& win!) so I began spending my free time trying
to compose my first song asking God, all the while, to give me
inspiration. I struggled to compose for 2 months but then, on 22
April 1977 (just 3 days before the deadline date for entries) the
following happened. It came to my mind to change my
composing method and - (instead of trying to compose using my
guitar) to just -- blow with my mouth using my "bazooka" (kazoo)
instrument. Then, immediately - with the first attempt - there
flowed out a very pleasant tune & I began writing lyrics to it
simultaneously, all within about 5 minutes. Amazing, I thought.
I titled it "Blue Skies" (taking the first words I was inspired to
write), quickly recorded it on to cassette, then ran for 3 mins to a
post box - hoping I hadn't missed the last collection. When I
arrived, the van came so I had only just made it in time! Whew!
Now some days later I received a letter from Giovanni stating I
had won. He asked me whether I would like to sing the song
myself in the studio, and play guitar along with his backing
musicians? That was unexpected, but excitedly, I replied "yes".
The recording took place 12 June 1977 at 'Beck' Recording
Studio, Wellingborough, U.K. seven days before I turned 18.
Whilst sitting in the recording booth I gave thanks to God for the
Songs written / recorded over a - 7- yr period:
1977 - * Blue Skies *
1978 - * A Life of Love *
1979 - * Sunshine & Rain *
1980 -
1981 -
1982 - * A Pillar in the House * A Time Will Come * A Land I Love *
1983 - * Morning, Noon & Night * A Voice Cries Out * God Leads Me On *
1984 - * Give Ear O Heavens * The Lord is My Shepherd *
1977 - * Blue Skies *
1978 - * A Life of Love *
1979 - * Sunshine & Rain *
1980 -
1981 -
1982 - * A Pillar in the House * A Time Will Come * A Land I Love *
1983 - * Morning, Noon & Night * A Voice Cries Out * God Leads Me On *
1984 - * Give Ear O Heavens * The Lord is My Shepherd *
Sunshine & Rain
Now, with a $133 second-hand classical guitar bought in
Pasadena on 4 Jan. 1984, my songwriting seemed to 'take off'
like never before. On 14 Jan., I wrote "Give Ear O Heavens"
(based on Deut. 32) and then, in February, for the very first time,
wrote 3 songs in one day! (By then I had then been attending
with the WWCG for 7 years).
Now, up till that point in time, It had been usual for me to write
just 1 song a year so things seemed different somehow and I
was feeling very inspired.
On April 7, 1984 I had a minor motorbike accident & contracted
'Erysipelas' (from not cleaning my wounds properly). I became ill
from Friday 20 April for 7 days. That date was almost 7 years
exactly from when I wrote 'Blue Skies' & before booking any
recording session. It's quite a story, but let it suffice to say that -
by then, I had learned many things - one of which is to: trust no
man but - God ONLY!
Now 2,528 days (after I had prayed to God in the recording
booth, on 12 June, 1977) I was in a Pasadena studio, the
evening of 14 May, 1984, recording my first album. 7 years had
passed & God had answered my prayer! The cover photo (of me
amidst orange flowers) was taken earlier on 4 March. The
finished cassette was in my hands on 17 July, the very day I
was leaving the USA after 6 years of work / study! What timing!
Now, with a $133 second-hand classical guitar bought in
Pasadena on 4 Jan. 1984, my songwriting seemed to 'take off'
like never before. On 14 Jan., I wrote "Give Ear O Heavens"
(based on Deut. 32) and then, in February, for the very first time,
wrote 3 songs in one day! (By then I had then been attending
with the WWCG for 7 years).
Now, up till that point in time, It had been usual for me to write
just 1 song a year so things seemed different somehow and I
was feeling very inspired.
On April 7, 1984 I had a minor motorbike accident & contracted
'Erysipelas' (from not cleaning my wounds properly). I became ill
from Friday 20 April for 7 days. That date was almost 7 years
exactly from when I wrote 'Blue Skies' & before booking any
recording session. It's quite a story, but let it suffice to say that -
by then, I had learned many things - one of which is to: trust no
man but - God ONLY!
Now 2,528 days (after I had prayed to God in the recording
booth, on 12 June, 1977) I was in a Pasadena studio, the
evening of 14 May, 1984, recording my first album. 7 years had
passed & God had answered my prayer! The cover photo (of me
amidst orange flowers) was taken earlier on 4 March. The
finished cassette was in my hands on 17 July, the very day I
was leaving the USA after 6 years of work / study! What timing!
1.
experience and asked that, if it be His will, I have other
opportunities to record my songs in the future. It was a small,
quiet moment but one I recall vividly.
Never despise the day of small things. (I always think of that
scripture, at this point).
1978 - 1979
Autumn 1978 I went to a college in California, USA, to take a
1-Year Course in "Biblical Studies" & successfully completed
the programme, receiving my Diploma on 4 Sep. 1979 along
with just 8 others. (I then continued studying there to achieve a
B. A. Degree in liberal arts (majoring in Theology).
opportunities to record my songs in the future. It was a small,
quiet moment but one I recall vividly.
Never despise the day of small things. (I always think of that
scripture, at this point).
1978 - 1979
Autumn 1978 I went to a college in California, USA, to take a
1-Year Course in "Biblical Studies" & successfully completed
the programme, receiving my Diploma on 4 Sep. 1979 along
with just 8 others. (I then continued studying there to achieve a
B. A. Degree in liberal arts (majoring in Theology).
A New World
Move to East Midlands - 1985
The London-based company I worked for in Bromley, was
relocating north to 'Wellingborough' in Northamptonshire. I
moved with them - arriving at my newly bought house - 9th June.
My friends, the - death - of HWA on 16 January, 1986, was
certainly an indicator that there would shortly occur a passage (of
the COG) into the Laodicean Era (Rev. 3) but the 7th Era did -
NOT - immediately commence at that time. A few more years
would, first, need to pass.
Now, on 7 June, 1986, I gave a cassette of my first album to a
family at Church & shortly afterwards encouraged me to produce
another album. Not long after that I met Giovanni again whom I
hadn't seen for years - and he reminded me of the fact that I had
recorded 'Blue Skies' in Wellingborough. This was something I
had completely forgotten about. It so happened (I later
discovered) that I had moved to Wellingborough almost 8 years
to the very day from when I had visited to record 'Blue Skies').
Anyway, these things 'inspired me' & I began wondering whether,
perhaps, God was wanting me to produce my 2nd album at
'Beck' Studio? I found out however that the studio had closed
down that very week so wasn't meant to be.
In Jan. '87 I moved to St. Albans to live. (I had changed jobs in
'86 and was then working in nearby 'Elstree'. During the year I
composed new songs & had enough for another new album. A
professional drummer, Tony De Sarzec (in the WWCG - see
right photo), agreed to help me with my new recording project.
Now, on the day that he was in a studio in Wales, laying down
the drum tracks for my new album, I received a call from the
police informing me that - my lost Bible - of 2 years - had been
found! This really was good news on the first day of recording &
it was - INSPIRING - to me. Especially so as (- when I went to the
Police Station to collect it) - I saw it was virtually in the exact
same condition as when I had lost it - despite being out on the
road two years! (Friends had given me that Bible the day I was
baptized into God's Church - 16 April, 1981).
Further recording dates were scheduled for 30 Nov -3 Dec at a
south London studio - 'Ventura'. For me it was a costly venture
(£3,000 for 60 hrs). I couldn't afford any more money so - it's
various imperfections had to remain.
Such flaws are mostly due to my lack of recording experience.
You see, prior to this album, I had only had about - 6 hours - of
actual recording experience under my belt. Therefore this album
was an important LEARNING experience. I sincerely hoped to
learn from it and - if ever God granted me the opportunity to
record my songs again in the future - I would definitely strive to
make significant, notable improvement.
Move to East Midlands - 1985
The London-based company I worked for in Bromley, was
relocating north to 'Wellingborough' in Northamptonshire. I
moved with them - arriving at my newly bought house - 9th June.
My friends, the - death - of HWA on 16 January, 1986, was
certainly an indicator that there would shortly occur a passage (of
the COG) into the Laodicean Era (Rev. 3) but the 7th Era did -
NOT - immediately commence at that time. A few more years
would, first, need to pass.
Now, on 7 June, 1986, I gave a cassette of my first album to a
family at Church & shortly afterwards encouraged me to produce
another album. Not long after that I met Giovanni again whom I
hadn't seen for years - and he reminded me of the fact that I had
recorded 'Blue Skies' in Wellingborough. This was something I
had completely forgotten about. It so happened (I later
discovered) that I had moved to Wellingborough almost 8 years
to the very day from when I had visited to record 'Blue Skies').
Anyway, these things 'inspired me' & I began wondering whether,
perhaps, God was wanting me to produce my 2nd album at
'Beck' Studio? I found out however that the studio had closed
down that very week so wasn't meant to be.
In Jan. '87 I moved to St. Albans to live. (I had changed jobs in
'86 and was then working in nearby 'Elstree'. During the year I
composed new songs & had enough for another new album. A
professional drummer, Tony De Sarzec (in the WWCG - see
right photo), agreed to help me with my new recording project.
Now, on the day that he was in a studio in Wales, laying down
the drum tracks for my new album, I received a call from the
police informing me that - my lost Bible - of 2 years - had been
found! This really was good news on the first day of recording &
it was - INSPIRING - to me. Especially so as (- when I went to the
Police Station to collect it) - I saw it was virtually in the exact
same condition as when I had lost it - despite being out on the
road two years! (Friends had given me that Bible the day I was
baptized into God's Church - 16 April, 1981).
Further recording dates were scheduled for 30 Nov -3 Dec at a
south London studio - 'Ventura'. For me it was a costly venture
(£3,000 for 60 hrs). I couldn't afford any more money so - it's
various imperfections had to remain.
Such flaws are mostly due to my lack of recording experience.
You see, prior to this album, I had only had about - 6 hours - of
actual recording experience under my belt. Therefore this album
was an important LEARNING experience. I sincerely hoped to
learn from it and - if ever God granted me the opportunity to
record my songs again in the future - I would definitely strive to
make significant, notable improvement.
| Saxophone playing on "A New World" was performed by professional musician (now deceased): Dick Morrissey |
2.
Drummer |
The completed cassette was in my hands 19 Jan. 1988. It
received a mixed review; both positive & negative. One 'odd'
remark was that ; "the saxophone was a worldly instrument" so
why was I using it "on a religious album?"
Anyway, I had done the best I could (at the time) and, hopefully,
God was pleased with the result (even if some people, -
hoping it would be something more like "Sunshine & Rain" ,
-weren't).
Now, circa 1991 (- I don't recall exactly when) - I ceased making
the cassette available for purchase as I didn't feel it was "good
enough" to sell. However, after fans requested a CD version of
it - I reconsidered and re-released it again in June 2007, on CD.
I acknowledge that the arrangements on "A New World" may not
be liked by everyone. (I don't even like several parts myself -
even 'cringing' at certain parts in it.). However; despite that, the
instrumentation includes great saxophone playing by Dick
Morrissey (- see right photo), many several synthesized sounds
and also some excellent powerful, 'live' drumming (rock-style)
by Tony De Sarzec.
This album therefore is - not just like - my other 3 albums. It is
a rather intense album and much more sobering than my other
works. But (much to my surprise - I must say) it remains
'FAVOURITE' with a number of 'fans'.
This is what one USA 'fan' had to said about it: -
received a mixed review; both positive & negative. One 'odd'
remark was that ; "the saxophone was a worldly instrument" so
why was I using it "on a religious album?"
Anyway, I had done the best I could (at the time) and, hopefully,
God was pleased with the result (even if some people, -
hoping it would be something more like "Sunshine & Rain" ,
-weren't).
Now, circa 1991 (- I don't recall exactly when) - I ceased making
the cassette available for purchase as I didn't feel it was "good
enough" to sell. However, after fans requested a CD version of
it - I reconsidered and re-released it again in June 2007, on CD.
I acknowledge that the arrangements on "A New World" may not
be liked by everyone. (I don't even like several parts myself -
even 'cringing' at certain parts in it.). However; despite that, the
instrumentation includes great saxophone playing by Dick
Morrissey (- see right photo), many several synthesized sounds
and also some excellent powerful, 'live' drumming (rock-style)
by Tony De Sarzec.
This album therefore is - not just like - my other 3 albums. It is
a rather intense album and much more sobering than my other
works. But (much to my surprise - I must say) it remains
'FAVOURITE' with a number of 'fans'.
This is what one USA 'fan' had to said about it: -
| Dick Morrissey "was a wonderful man & always very kind to me. He was so respected in the music world & worked with vast amounts of great musicians - live, on recordings & on film soundtracks. It was a privilege to have known him, let alone to have worked with him & to be able to call him a friend was a real joy." TONY DE SARZEC |
| Copyright 2007 Sonia King. All Rights Reserved. |
| "Your.. recording is certainly unorthodox by your usual standards. But I maintain that this is less due to lack of experience and more to a willingness to take artistic risks. Some people may prefer 'A New World' overall to the other three, for that very reason. There are some pieces on there which ... rank among the best you've ever done, including the title track. That, to me, is a simply amazing and even visionary song and arrangement. As the saying goes, I'd give my little finger to write something so simple and yet so intense (and, to my ears anyway, so intensely British)." J.W. |
Click - to continue reading the inspiring stories of albums
which would follow. History was about to - REPEAT - itself!
which would follow. History was about to - REPEAT - itself!
Bazooka
Why & How I Began Writing Songs ....
Aged 17 I started attending a Christian
Church on 22 Jan. '77. Not long afterwards
the minister announced a 'Songwriting
Competition' for - the youth. The winning
Aged 17 I started attending a Christian
Church on 22 Jan. '77. Not long afterwards
the minister announced a 'Songwriting
Competition' for - the youth. The winning
The day I slid on sand on the road at night -
and crashed Greg Gaetzman's motorbike.
and crashed Greg Gaetzman's motorbike.
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Sonia King