Around The Bend (Bedroom Demo #261)

Around The Bend

(The Columbia River Song Cycle)

music: Terry Scott Taylor

Guitars: T.S. Taylor

note:

Our song-cycle continues.

Imagine ourselves among the first Europeans to discover the Columbia River. Our vessel, unlike many others before us, has somehow managed to navigate the treacherous tides of the river’s mouth, (also known as “The Graveyard of Ships),” making its way eastward. As we then head south for a time then once again resume our eastward course, we continue to explore the contours of the river, its tributaries, and the surrounding terrain. A sense of excitement, adventure, mystery and, for some of us, a degree of fear permeates our every waking hour; what will be revealed around the next bend in the river? Still waters and smooth sailing? A spectacular panorama? The first sight of a towering, snow-capped mountain? Or might there be enemies of some sort, a sand-bog on which we run aground, or an encounter with treacherous waters whose rapids are so intense we are certain our vessel will disintegrate under our feet and we will drown beneath the river’s bitter cold waters. Perhaps all of these things. Yes, the possibility of danger ahead is most certain, but so is the possibility of discovering not only grander vistas, but also the answer to the central question this quest is commissioned to answer: is there a Northwest Passage between inland North America and the Pacific Ocean? May God spare us from death in our attempt to answer that question.

My thanks to a certain member of our Patreon family who wrote to encourage me to continue with the Song Cycle. Although a challenge, I find myself really enjoying the process. It’s definitely put me in a mood to do more instrumentals in the future, that is if I am confident that this would be groovy with the rest of you fine people.

Like the ships which came to explore the Columbia River, I am setting out to discover places unknown whenever I compose one of these image-invoking soundscapes. Let me also add that I am prepared to not be entirely satisfied with the results; having pushed the boat into the water, jumped in, grabbed the oars, and headed out into the darkness, I’m never quite sure of exactly where I’ll wind up; the hope is that it’s neither adrift, stranded on a bog, or worse; as wreckage on the rocks of another misguided pursuit; anything is possible since these songs are somewhat unlike anything else I’ve written. As to the performance of the pieces, they are frequently a challenge to my skill level, which is a very good thing. It’s always a joy as a musician to discover that when I push myself to do so, I am often capable of much more than I give himself credit for. I’m thankful for the opportunity to stretch out musically, and equally thankful for your forbearance in allowing me to do so.