Jacqueline du Pré – a gifted English cellist who tragically died quite young
Tonight I saw an angel right there in the subway
Busking in the corner playing on her cello
Sitting on a camp chair, spectacles and hair braids
Doc Marten boots and dress of primrose yellow
Eyes as green as apples; little more than a child
Well resined bow. Arpeggios clean yet wild
I stood and listened closely. I don't think she saw me
I wondered of her odyssey . I wondered of her story.
Forgot about the train and where I was supposed to be
Listening to the melody of Ravel's Bolero
Then a Bach partita then a short sonata
Followed by extracts of the Elgar concerto
Then she lightened up a little, checked the coins in her hat
Played some Beatles classics got 'em all down pat
A smile on her pretty face, looking kinda coy
Straight into Beethoven's 'Ode To Joy'
Tonight I saw an angel and this I swear is true
I want you to believe what I'm saying to you
She disappeared in a second when I looked away
Tonight I saw the ghost of Jacqueline du Pré
that intro bass was so good...like the Eagles "One of These Nights" good...one you don't forget...
what an amazing song Ray. Magical! Angelic? The instruments are so lovely. Love the way you weaved "Ode to Joy" into this.
top shelf stuff. This music is like 100 year old bourbon...It's rare and it's good...
Totally amazing and mesmerizing! An epic piece of work! 8)
This is epic - she was such a fabulous player, such a sad and cruel story.
B
What a finely crafted song. It really paints an image. I really enjoyed the haunting rthym and acoustic guitars well done sir
I agree an epic piece of work ..
Great song, loved the lyrics and vocals .. also really liked the strings.
Overall great work ..
This is an absolutely beautiful song.
Got me from the intro.
I think in my mind I was ready for a song like this.
Musically its stunning the recording is so professional.
That panned acoustic sound has a clarity and definition I could only dream about achieving.
The story is captivating as are your vocals.
I Just finished a nightshift and had downloaded a few songcrafters songs for the way home,I could have listened to this track all night.
It has a comfortable chilled feel to it.
At 1st I thought of a Scottish band called the blue nile but it
changed into a different sound as it moved on.
I loved everything about it.
A classy professional sounding masterpiece.
Well done Ray.
This is among the best songs i've heard from Ray. And that's not a small feat! The vocals are beautiful and the same goes for the lyrics. The synth sounds are really tastefully done. The playing is superb. The ending is smooth and the whole song has a soothing quality to it.
I immediately forgot that I was listening to my songcrafters brethren and was just immersed in this wonderful song and production. This is completely pro. Seriously, be proud of this.
Downloaded.
Blooby
Love the story love the music Ray you are in top form with this song loved the strings hell loved everything about it
Bravo brother
Tim
So well written and performed, love it Ray, Well done....Alex
The backing is great, but I particularly like the vocals, with the occasional harmonies.
What a nice tune that is. Well done. 8)
Great song!
Brother, you weave a story and a song so elegantly. Remarkable talent! Listening on my ear buds and that percussion is bouncing around my brain, love it!
Rock on!
I haven't been here for a while and when I looked the list of recent songs I knew this one would be good.
I wasn't disappointed.
You are the package :-)
Ian
This song gave me chills. What a great story....and so sad. Loved the cello and bass. Excellent song all around.
Love the intro ray, kind of reminded me of Ultravox. The percussion is really catchy. Great songwriting as always and great music, always layered in the right ways. Those strings sound lovely. :)
WOWWOWOWOW!!
This is a gorgeous piece. I kind of wasn't expecting this (When I see "Ray Brooks" I hear "Caught in the act", sorry to pigeon-hole you in my mind!! ;D)
I was listening to the du Pre / Barenboim Elgar Cello Concerto a lot the other week - I've owned the famous recording, in some shape or form, since 1981 or so. My best friend at school played the cello and turned me on to it. Also, my Mum had a big thing about Jacqueline du Pre, she died a month ago and so that's why Mrs R and I were listening to it.
Anyway, this is a fabulous creation. And the recording, sublime.
Big big thumbs up from me.
By the way, I love that delivery of "fa-ace" in the second verse - I can't do that as much as I used to when I was younger. I love it when I achieve it or when I hear another singer do it.
Beautiful Ray, you've painted a great picture here with some gorgeous sounds. Can't add a lot more to what the guys have said... beautiful stuff.
Mike
Beautiful intro and vocal harmonies in the verses were perfectly performed and placed.
I thought the music was brilliant in its simplicity and soulfulness, in its arrangement and performances.
My hat's off to you as always
Beautiful Ray just beautiful ????
Bloody marvelous. Truly magnificent.
This is a fitting tribute to the effortless genius of du Pre.
It was a pity that Barenboim wasn't a little more considerate.