Astrologers
This piece was written because a school was seeking material for a particular age group, this time on a Christmas theme. While I was fascinated by the idea that the Three Wise Men were astrologers, in later school productions it was re-titled The Magi - a little less pagan, I guess. I thoroughly enjoyed researching this one.
Listen
Howard Cable's publisher in New York asked for some contemporary hymn-anthems or rock-gospel songs, a genre that had taken off when Jesus Christ Superstar hit. For this one, I wrote both the lyrics and the music and Howard arranged it with a gospel feel for voices and percussion. Other songs that came out of this time were "Can't Help Feelin'", recorded 1972 by Oak Island Treasury Department (a group of Toronto musicians and singers) and "Runnin' Away", recorded by trumpeter Johnny Cowell (1972). Johnny also recorded "I Have the Pleasure", a wonderful feel-good piece written by another Gravenhurst songwriter mentored by Howard named Marilyn Mathias.
Look Around
Olympic Flame
I assisted John Cripton in the production of the gala reception of the Olympic Flame from Greece in St John's NL, which would launch the Canadian Olympic Flame Relay, the longest in Olympics history. The Relay would wend its way throughout Canada, ending in Calgary with the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron. It was exciting following the progress of the transatlantic flight that was carrying the Flame in miner's lamps. "Share The Flame" was a huge and emotional undertaking for thousands of Canadians. Our "launch party", though "gala", could only be pale by comparison! But it marked the moment in fine style with some great Canadian talent. I most remember Rita MacNeil whose singing spoke to my Maritime roots.
Saskatoon
Howard Cable was commissioned to write a piece for the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and children's choir and he asked me to write the lyrics. The result was "Triumvirate" - so called because of the three regions of that vast province. Fred Davis was also on that symphony program, if you remember his omnipresence on CBC TV's "Front Page Challenge" for its 38 year run (1957-1995). Not just a pretty face, Fred was an accomplished trumpet player - in fact, he had been in one of Howard's first orchestras when they were both just starting out in show business.
Sharon Lois
In 1992 I had a wonderful opportunity to write a piece for Sharon Lois and Bram that would introduce children to the orchestra. "Molly and Max" was presented by the famed trio with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. I was in the audience, biting my nails.
Your Work
"Your Work With Love Surrounds You" evolved from a church school and choir that Howard Cable and I were involved in, in Gravenhurst ON at St. James Anglican. The minister asked us to write a musical play for the Algoma church camp, and it needed to involve a lot of children! In this story of the Creation, the children took the roles of Darkness, Day, Night, Sky, Water, Land, Flowers, Grass/Fruit/Trees, Sun, Moon, Stars, Birds, Fishes, Animals, and Man. All the parents got involved in costuming and it was performed that summer at the New Liskeard camp and several times in Gravenhurst. The title comes from a line by Henry Van Dyke in his hymn "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee".