September 2020 VOCAL Virtual Songwriters Showcase
The September 2020 VOCAL Showcase was yet another successful virtual showcase conducted via FaceBook Live due to COVID-19 social distancing.
Our President Matthew Costello opened the show with one of his signature heartfelt tunes If You Knew, wondering how the target of his attraction would react if they were aware of his feelings toward them.
James Lester took the virtual stage from Halifax after a bit of an absence from the VOCAL scene but jumped right in and never missed a beat. It’s always good to hear from this bluesy guy with all the tales he has to tell. He opened with Whiskey and Yoga, an attempt to justify drinking your life away. He followed with These Hard Times, another drinking song stating that down in Mexico living on Tequila is a hard way to go. Beautiful Day is a touching, Gospel-sounding song touting the greatness and wonder of waking up each day and enjoying the simple things in life. Coatesville Blues is one of James’ signature tunes about life in this rural area of Hanover County. You know times are sad when you have to sit on the porch drinking warm beer from the can! Some help from the Doctor is needed here. Going Home was written in honor of Mother’s Day describing the pull sensation you feel after being away from home for so long. Working Class is a newer tune influenced by Merle Haggard and Steve Earle, where sleep doesn’t come to a worried soul – Lord won’t you smile on the working class? Friendship Ended is a new song reflecting a situation in social media when your online “friend” you thought you knew so well turns out to be a totally different person. Lileth, based on Jewish mythology, is a cool, haunting tale of the mysterious Lileth, asking why you left me all alone here in Paradise. When Will The Killings Stop is an ode to current times we all are aware of, where we seem to be in a cycle of needless violence, too often taking lives away. The World Ain’t Broken is a newer bluesy number giving hope to this world, despite the many bad things going down today. Great set, James, and welcome back!
Roy Kauffman is a new member to VOCAL, but has been in the writing scene for many years and is a collaborator with Matthew Costello. His welcome set came to us by way of Seattle. The harmonica-driven Running Scared had a really cool vibe – I want to see you one more day, I want to see you for a little while – I’m not running away, I’m running scared. Reno describes the lure of a casino where you can easily gamble away last week’s paycheck in one night – when the river runs, that’s my redeemer, but the light just fades away. Dream of Me tells the tale of the intersection with Memphis, Woodstock and Hollywood, two small towns just north of Memphis – 20 miles from Memphis, 30 years too late – they want me in the studio, they want to hear me play. Clouds of Dust had some good imagery – I couldn’t turn left or right, but when I found you it was all green lights. However, you don’t understand me, and all you do is abuse me. What did I do? No one else can thrill me like you do. Better to be Blind is a sometimes-misunderstood song, according to Roy. Being in love is like being insane – all those great memories have lost their shine. I was looking for love, not a fight. Any Other Way starts at the breakfast table, with the coffee brewing a breakfast song, the radio tells me Sunday is gone – put your pretty blue dress on, I’ll play your favorite song. A Few Important Parts is a very touching song in memory of a young friend who passed away much too soon. Now that you’ve gone and left us, floating off some place – tearing up the Great Beyond, a mission on your face. I know that we will miss you, and feel you in our hearts – as we put things back together, it’s a few important parts. Roy ended the evening with the minor-tuned Twelve Grains of Sand, a self-described spaghetti Western about revenge about to be taken on someone who did him wrong. Blood on my hands, a pistol in my hands, I’m ready for a fight! Great set, Roy, and thanks for the long-distance delivery.
Great virtual showcase, Matthew, James and Roy!
