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  So what’s so special about today’s HeatherSong?  Now original songs . . . ONLY!  And, I am the only person involved in all elements of these creative sound recordings.  This may yield an artistic advantage.  Why?  Here is an artist who is completely responsible for all aspects of her art.  In this sense, as I demonstrate my unique profile and resourceful artistic ability, I exemplify the very spirit of the “indie” movement.  HeatherSong’s emotionally expressive results make good use of well-crafted, poignant lyrics that express a  real variety of human experience.  On occasion some songs may defy category.  Why wouldn’t that be the nature of creativity?  Songs aren’t always fashioned to feed the marketing gods.  Thankfully, inventors know enough to move on to something unfamiliar.  We may make fun of them, but they deliver something new and refreshing that we could not bring ourselves.  That’s their assignment.  Embrace that which is quality “different” to inspire your life journey upward and outward!  


Heather Pahl is the artist / vocalist / musician / writer / arranger / producer and engineer behind HeatherSong.  

Album Digi Release  6    Classy Action Suite ONE       6 instrumentals

Do you like instrumentals?  Each of these songs is an instrumental version of previously released HeatherSongs with lyrics.  These may be of special interest to MUSIC SUPERVISORS. License these diverse originals for use in film projects, tv, radio, theatre and new media.  In broadcast segments, where credits roll, or wherever a pleasant or dramatic segue is desired.  Also seeking radio airplay.  

HeatherSong owns Copyright, Master and Artist Rights 100%.  

MUSIC SUPERVISORS:  I'll deliver any way you like, in any format.


1.  Can't Pay My Bills Blues Rock Instrumental  2:19   95 bpm
2.  Looking For You Again Instrumental  2:06   120 bpm
   bass guitar by the late and wonderful JIM OLSON

3.  Be Proud Little Red Wagon Instrumental  3:08  130 bpm

4.  Can't Pay My Bills Blues Bluesy Instrumental  2:17  95 bpm

5.  Lost My Destination Instrumental  3:06   125 bpm

6.  Self-Extinction Instrumental  8:29   160 bpm


Album release 5   BE PROUD LITTLE RED WAGON    single digi      

      0026    BE PROUD LITTLE RED WAGON     a ballad    3:04  130 bpm 
   Words and music by Heather Pahl dba HeatherSong  © WEST HEATHERSONG Publishing 2010 BMI 
                                                            

    story:  The Little Girl   --   Shirley      
  In high school and just afterwards, I worked in a hospital kitchen.  On occasion I’d roll heavy heated carts up to the children’s ward at meal time.  On one of these assignments, just as I approached the nurse’s station, I couldn’t help but notice a very young girl in a little red wagon parked at the side of the desk.  I remember she looked directly into my eyes.  My guess was that she had disease from birth and wasn’t going to live long.  I felt that the nurses were exposing her to life and activity to the degree that they could.  The child’s expression indicated the difficulty of her experience.  
         
Maybe a week later I was up on the same ward.  As I glanced down the hallway I saw one thing.  That was a nurse pulling the empty red wagon away.  My heart sank and I did confirm that the little girl – whose name I never knew – had made her transition.  This song is my tribute to caregivers who see this sort of
thing all the time.  Many parents and others have endured this kind of heartbreak.  Too many are tempted to feel guilt or responsibility over things that really go beyond us.  It is my hope with this humble song to acknowledge everyone involved and help relieve some of the lingering guilt and sorrow – in the spirit of The Little Red Wagon . . .
 
SHIRLEY       Years later I lived for a while with a remarkable woman whose cancer was in remission.  It was internalized melanoma and she was told she wouldn’t live long.  We had both just moved into town to work at the same university – Shirley in her 50s, I was 30.    At first glance I embraced her as a fellow “old soul” which was comforting as I don’t often run into “old souls” of her quality.  Shirley was honest about her situation.  I had no doubts about this positive lady eager to demonstrate good things in her life.  Eventually she invited me to share her apartment.

We had much fun and mystical stories abound, but let’s just say that Shirley was instrumental the night I met my future spouse Kurt.  Yes, it was whirlwind and in a few short months I joined him in California.  Not much later Shirley’s cancer demonstrated severely.  Inoperable.  At a party while approaching stairs, she turned to blow someone a kiss when her leg broke from disease.  That someone promptly disappeared while others gathered to help.  Don’t they call that “insult to injury”?

I got to visit Shirley (across the country) a few times during her struggle.  She continued to teach, navigating icy sidewalks with her leg in a cast.  She kept her hope, humor and compassion.  Her two sons eventually arrived to help.  She attained tenure status (NOT a mercy tenure, she insisted).  She was confined to her home when I mailed her an earlier version of BE PROUD LITTLE RED WAGON – a cassette.  This was likely the first song I wrote in California.  A while later in a phone conversation Shirley confided that she could listen to the song now without crying.  I gave her the song knowing that she would understand its purpose.  I got to see my dear friend Shirley, now hospitalized, one week before she passed.  Through her ordeal she felt only joy for me and my situation which contrasted so dramatically with hers and other challenging details of her life.  A true friend – the rarest.  And to think her spirit helped me produce this song too! 
It just never ends . . .

Album release 4         single digi           SELF-EXTINCTION       

  0025  SELF-EXTINCTION     a SagaSong    8-1/2 minutes
             Words and music by Heather Pahl dba HeatherSong 
© WEST HEATHERSONG Publishing 2010 BMI       

            story:  Where Does It All Come From?
Two pages of lyrics say plenty -- no need to elaborate.  Except that three years ago I was at the wheel driving on a trip, just minding my own business.  Out of nowhere this song starts "pouring" into my head with a fury.  Not subtle, not truly from me and I DO know the difference.  Much like many inventors describe for the record.  But we excel at "blowing off" authentic, intelligent reports that threaten our egos (nearly everything).  Competition-based Earth Standard and it's really costing us.  Anyway, I'm not new to this, but this is the most dramatic to date.  I swapped assignments with my understanding husband (love is a great thing) and squirmed in the passenger seat for some time -- scrambling to write and rewrite, not to miss anything.  The gift is a privilege and a duty.  We on earth love to think we're the center and source of all.  Amateurs.  A complete fallacy, of course.  You do know that, right?  Got to feed that ego!  So why did I wait 3 years?  To get my production and engineering chops up for this tough topic and challenging delivery.  I hope I've done my best.  Thanks for listening, reflecting, internalizing. Praying, meditating, choosing to evolve . . .  is it a metaphor?

  ALBUM release 3         digi only        LOST MY DESTINATION          

This Valentine's Day Release marks a new trend:  HeatherSong ORIGINALS, with all work by HeatherSong.  Quality songs:  music & lyrics of diverse nature.  What real songwriting is all about!  Craft that communicates with feeling, courage and experience . . . eloquently.
0021  SENTIMENTALLY MINE - Country Music
Words and music by Heather Pahl dba HeatherSong 
© WEST HEATHERSONG Publishing 2010 BMI 

 
0022  CAN'T PAY MY BILLS BLUES -
Blues Words and music by Heather Pahl dba HeatherSong  © WEST HEATHERSONG Publishing 2010 BMI   
Original version was written for a 12-bar-blues exercise in my very first songwriting class.

   

0023  LOST MY DESTINATION - VERY  Theatre! Words and music by Heather Pahl dba HeatherSong  © WEST HEATHERSONG Publishing 2010 BMI  
This definitely has a THEATRE ambiance about it.  Deep character exploration, worthy of
New York!  Yup.  NOT kidding . . .

0024  LOOKING FOR YOU Instrumental - Instrumental Orchestral - Electronic
Music and Sound Recording by Heather Pahl dba HeatherSong  © WEST HEATHERSONG Publishing 2010 BMI   CREDITS:  Jim Olson, bass guitar; Josh Sargent, drums
A contemporary orchestral/electronic instrumental version of the HeatherSong original LOOKING FOR YOU.  Thanks again to Jim's whimsical bass guitar and Josh's klippety-klop drum that so define this piece! 

      
story:  The Portal, and the song LOST MY DESTINATION 

        Now that I’ve told the Self-Extinction story, I can tell this one.  My husband’s birthday 2009 was a very special day.  Two relatives were joining us late afternoon for an adventurous outdoor dining event (Plate & Pitchfork) celebrating two birthdays.  We creatives must sneak work in by any means.  So early morning I started to produce my own version of SENTIMENTALLY MINE.  A previous 3rd party demo needed updating.  I was eager to finally get around to it.  I like the song and now enjoy producing my own originals.  A hard-fought privilege.  To set the mood:  I was elated and devoted to this focus.  Away I went without a doubt in my mind.

          I began instrument selection and hit the first note of a bass line.  Its sound mesmerized me.  It drew me in and I was excited.  I documented my choice and started working the lead-in.  But I kept returning to THAT NOTE.  In one instant I felt its power over me.  I was literally getting drawn into another song.  That moment of recognition is uncanny.  A completely different song called me in spite of my best intentions for this remake.

          A low-level knee-jerk reaction attempted resistance and disbelief with slight resentment, along with humor and that ol’ déjà vu all over again.  So in a human sense I had the nerve to feel nagged by this mystical intrusion.  One which, by the way, is at the very core of my talent (gift) so I do understand how inappropriate that response really is.  Shameful and unappreciative, so I quickly ditched it with the audible sigh to match the soul’s sigh of resigned compliance.  MY human plans delayed once again.  No use fighting it.  The wisdom goes way beyond mine and I’d be a fool to disregard the magnetism of the call to work on this new, freshly inspired food for the soul.

          I do not typically discuss timelines to my productions as I cannot trust other perspectives on that.  There's much naivete both directions.  It varies a lot for many reasons and with each song.  But it is absolutely my assessment that LOST MY DESTINATION is powerful mystically and creatively, and was efficiently produced from its very inception to complete production in about 2-1/2 weeks.  I’m just gonna say that’s good and I like the results.  Not really asking for assumptions beyond that.  Just to trust this artist’s observation:  that one note worked like a PORTAL to the communication of this song and its efficient development.  Possibly a gift to celebrate Kurt.  This process is as old as humanity, but we work very hard at disregarding and disbelieving it.  Or claiming we're the sole source.  The experience is strong and cannot be ignored.  Know thyself (including your limits but yes you can work on them).  Acknowledge God or Universal Intelligence.  It is in your best interest.  
                                         
  ALBUM release 2   digi only     LOOKING FOR YOU    

0018  LOOKING FOR YOU - Words and music by Heather Pahl dba HeatherSong  © WEST HEATHERSONG Publishing 2008 BMI  
CREDITS:  Jim Olson, Bass Guitar; Josh Sargent, Drums; Mixed and Mastered by Jim Olson    



 I absolutely enjoyed studio time with Jim, Josh and Karla.  I never expected to be updating this photo in this manner.  Nobody did.  Enjoy the journey, Jim!  You have surely blessed many . . .

                               

           E-mail HeatherSong to request Lyrics for the following 2 COVER SONGS . . .
0019
  EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE - a Cover by Sting 
A "female stalker perspective" with a surprise scenario!
CREDITS:  Paula Higdon, Heather Pahl, Vocals; Jim Bilinski, Tenor Saxophone; 
Jim Olson, Bass Guitar; Mixed and Mastered by Jim Olson                     

     
0020  YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE - a Cover by Jimmie Davis
Young Cathy sings her heart out in this emotional exchange with Grandpa Kurt.  CREDITS:  Cathy Pahl, Vocals; Jim Bilinski, Tenor Saxoophone and Flute; Jim Olson, Bass Guitar; End Voiceover:  Cathy Pahl, Kurt Pahl, Heather Pahl; Mixed and Mastered by Jim Olson  


  ALBUM release 1              physical cd available                                                                                  YO, IT'S CHRISTMAS!        
17 dynamic, updated Christmas songs celebrating hiphop, rock, metal, jazz, reggae, blues, gospel, kid-friendly and electronic.  Many scenarios, some including children.  All ages represented.  Ethnic stylings include Latin, Oriental, Black American, Far East Indian and Mideastern.  Instrumentals are 5, 10 and 16.  Downloads ALSO available on iTunes and others (see links on my CDBaby page).  Buy physical CD only
at CDBaby.  Contact me for fundraiser donation possibilities.  Mastered by pro who did "Maniac" in FLASHDANCE.  Analog Warming.
The HeatherSong instrumental WE THREE KINGS was selected for the compilation CD 
FRESH CUTS:  A Holiday Album from Rumblefish  
 
0001  Merry Christmas  ALT: We Wish You A Merry Christmas
0002  Good King HipHop   ALT:  Good King Wenceslas
0003  Winter Wonderland  (a COVER)
0004  Feliz Navidad 
(a COVER)
0005  We 3 Kings  ALT:  We Three Kings   We Three Kings of Orient Are
0006  Housetop HipHop   ALT:  Up On a Housetop
0007  Go Tell   ALT:  Go Tell It On the Mountain
0008  Deck the Halls   ALT:  Deck the Halls With Boughs of Holly
0009  Over the River   ALT:  Over the River and Through the Woods
0010  Angels We Hear   ALT:  Angels We Have Heard On High
0011  St. Nick Rocks   ALT:  Jolly Old St. Nicholas    Saint Nick Rocks
0012  A Reggae Prayer   ALT:  Away In a Manger
0013  Hey Yo Blues   ALT:  Hey Ho Anybody (Nobody) Home
0014  3 Ships   ALT:  I Saw Three Ships    Three Ships
0015  Rock the Jingle Bells   ALT:  Jingle Bells
0016  Emmanuel    ALT:  Emanuel    O Come, O Come Emmanuel
0017  New Lang Syne   ALT:  Auld Lang Syne


  Read/Print Christmas Album Credits at Christmas Credits tab.
E-mail HeatherSong for any of these Holiday Lyrics . . .

 

 

 
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