February 2021 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase
The February 2021 VOCAL Virtual Showcase featured longtime-member Glenda Creamer and our Entertainment Attorney friend Justin Laughter, two very-talented songwriters. This was a virtual showcase using Zoom while streaming via FB Live, which has proven to be a very effective means of delivering a performance during this crazy pandemic.
Glenda opened the show with a lovely operatic “The Path” about her journey with God, making friends, and helping one another. Hearing a knock on her heart, she embarked on a journey of enlightenment. Listen was her answer to the knock, indicating that she wanted to know the way to go. I Want to Follow You reminds her that the sand is slippery beneath her feet – it’s easy to stumble, but don’t be discouraged, I’m with you all the way. The Path of Destruction is the wrong way to go, so let me help you. I’ll accompany you along the narrow way. All The Good is Gone asks if I can ever love again – I need strength to get me through this day. Jacob’s Well takes us to the fountain to drink when the sun is high, next to the stranger with kind eyes. He says God has a well that will never run dry, and will give you eternal life. God is with you during good times and bad, and you never have to be alone when he’s holding your hand. We Figured it Out tells of the numerous people who came from far and wide to witness the second coming. Unexpected Ways explains how you can find God in almost everything during your daily life travels. Lover of Origami explains the magical mystery and energy expressed as folded lines, and asks that we may be the paper in God’s hands.
Justin Laughter then took the virtual stage with Dishes, something he’s done a lot of since the pandemic began. We can relate to that! Benedict is a really cool “historic” song about Benedict Arnold, asking if maybe he was incorrectly portrayed as a traitor. The fallen hero ex-pat was passed over by the Continental Congress and the rest is history! The brand-new song Premonition asks why we set our clocks to the days and months, and why do we sit in front of a computer all day. We were never meant to be simply machines and work our fingers to the bone on the grindstone. Amen to that! Believe finds him trying to brush off the silent weight of the world from his shoulders. Stay Calm has a really infectious vibe featuring some really cool chords channeling Neil Young’s Harvest Moon: stay calm, stay strong, you own the cards. Sue is a tune of true love, where he is with his newfound love on a Ferris Wheel in the town square. He wins a bear, which she names Sue after the Johnny Cash song. Sue stays on her nightstand, as if keeping their love together – please take me before she goes, as I couldn’t stand to live alone with her gone. Unraveling captures the reality and agony of a relationship destined for failure, with no hope of recovery. Paul Revere is another awesome “historic” song wondering how the patriot felt and was he scared as he warned the town of an invasion: one if by land, two if by sea. Listen, children, and you will hear the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. If I had Justin singing my history lessons when I was a kid I wouldn’t be so history-challenged! Weak is a fast and furious guitar-driven tune about taking the hard stuff, thinking/feeling for myself, etc. Hug is a very peaceful lullabye providing a fitting sendoff to the audience at the end of the show. He was channeling Neal Young on this one like Stay Calm, and it almost has a gentle Baroque feel to the melody. What a soothing way to end the evening!
Another wonderful VOCAL virtual pandemic-defying showcase!
