2025 Summer Missive of New Music from Anne Leighton's Superhero Songwriters

The Most Beautiful Thing in the World (Praxilla) Keira Naughton (on Robin Batteau's "Banned In Sparta," a collaborative album with classic Greek poets, one Roman one, and contemporary Folk Singer-songwriters)  acoustic guitar, gentle female vocals, nature and eloquent lyrics, remembrance of "the most beautiful thing in the world.    Only the thing you leave behind"  "I was your harvest, you were mine." "You were my adonis-you astonish-- me."  Note: This tracks will be embedded mid July after this album's release.

Sleep Alone  Izzy Meth  I believe this could be a great "Song of the Winter." Acoustic, light instruments, gentle tenor with reverb, descriptive lyrical setting in winter and contrast one how he's a young man in love with trouble sleeping 'cause his yearning and morning are still here. "I don't want to sleep alone anymore." 

Top of the Rainbow Tom Ciurczak  horns, vocal, tenor-clear distinctive male vocals, like "Toby Beau," a break up song, "I was on top of the rainbow with you, I don't understand when you said you were leaving," self doubt  yacht rock/nu-coast.  

2 Pianos Phoebe Legere piano, female singing voice, coaxing piano w/ ice melting, French and English, slow ballad, oceans, memory flashback piano on the tongue of the world to give it a voice. This song is finding its way in soundtracks for Phoebe's collaborations like her new multi-award winning short "The Gender Symphony."    

 

Immigrant Blues  Dan Berggren  folk, banjo, male baritone, simple story song of how immigrants have struggled here and in coming to our country, and those before us are immigrants.  Here's a live performance of Dan's song. Dan was awarded a Lifetime Achievement honor from the Albany NY-region's Eddie Music Awards.

Get My Thing Going  Art Edwards  famous for The Refreshments. This is from a 2024 album, "The Brightness of an Ordinary Star." forward motion,grunge vocals & band with British invasion rhythm, male vocals  "When I finally get my thing going, you're see the best in me." alludes to other worldly torments like the world ending. The Brightness of an Ordinary Star | Art Edwards

Count My Blessings   Elliott Murphy  acoustic guitar, harmonica, narrative voice kindred to Tom Waits.  a bluesy "comfort solution" for a guy that needs reality check for a breakup or his own life, using cowboy imagery and urban issues, "this town's a widow maker" "get out of dodge"

I Am Like a Mountain  Micaela Kingslight   Soft and meditational-inspired rock-pop, vocal percussion and finger-snaps, celestial, female vocals (harmonies)  "I am like a mountain breathing in, breathing in.... I know."  "water, ocean, strong."   

Just Enough   Rachael Sage  mid-tempo Hammond B3 and soulful instruments, gentle female vocal, fresh song about feeling love, every time you touch me, I feel love.  "It feels my cup, just enough shalalala"   

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Music, 2024

 

The Light  Elliott Murphy acoustic, Christmas sounds melding with chime-y guitars, male vocalist kindred to Tom Waits, "seeing the light at the end of the tunnel" living in hope, "break from the news" "this world is so transitional," "metaphysical." "cross over that mystical boundary." 

 

I Ruined Christmas  Refestramus  Contemporary art-rock band, female fronted-vocals like Miley Cyrus, bells, "I ruined Christmas this year...It's like I told you before, it won't happen again, my dear."  This is a list of things she's done to reindeer, family members, and the eggnog!  

Today and All The New Year Dan Berggren “Greensleeves,” acoustic guitar and tambourine, sung by a tenor and backup voices with updated lyrics for the New Year, “may we all of humanity live in harmony and find strength in diversity….”, aiming for good deeds Today and All the New Year | Dan Berggren

Joy to The World Rachael Sage  gentle soprano like a young Olivia Newton John’s delivery, music like Regina Spektor’s “Joy to the world” with pulse, cello is rhythm instrument and strings, guitar, light accordion “Joy!Joy!”    

Joy to the World I Guess  Rebecca Loebe and Findlay Napier  This song is about people’s arguments through during the holiday season, and the resolutions we make to fight less, “Joy to the world I guess….  There are friends we no longer will see in the holidays, because they’re shadows in the moonlight on the lawn.”   

loebenapier.bandcamp.com/track/joy-to-the-world-i-guess-2

Happy Merry Everything John Roy Zat  talking country folk w/ bells and guitar, conversational male vocals, "we're all a little different,we're all a lot alike" benediction for Happy Merry Everything, "I wish the best for you." joyful attitude w/ Christmas bells!  soundcloud.com/roy-zat/happy-merry-everything

Why Can’t Everyday Be Like Christmas? - Tang  female vocals.  Pop: Denny Colt sings in a sweet, girl-next door voice and range similar to Cassadee Pope’s or Emma Roberts.  (We have punk hard rock and pop versios of the song, too!)https://soundcloud.com/bad-pacrecords/why-cant-everyday-be-like-christmas_ballad?si=250657e72707477eaa94e926ed06ba38&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing  

Christmas in My Pocket  Lillias White, vocals theatrical pop, declarative female vocals (proclaiming and belting) that all the gems of Christmas in her pocket. "Fill your pockets"  "dig in dig in, what do you see? Santa wants what's in her pocket! "A Christmas wish for all mankind!"  

One Wish Michael Veitch w/ Kirsti Gholson male & female duet, midtempo, light pop, one wish for Christmas day is peace. 

 

Christmas in July

I'm thankful to be promoting superhero musicians and songwriters--most lately The Kings, Brian Tarquin, The String Revolution, Robeone, Jaclyn Bradley, The Bluestone Sisters, Tony Moore, Refestramus, Joe Deninzon.....  

First, here are some of my holiday songs--all of which I'd love you to consider.

Happy December Jaclyn Bradley  Affectionate singalong that mentions every big holiday: Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, New Year’s into one song! 

Kwanzaa’s Pure Light Yocontalie Jackson & the Jennifer Tibbetts Singers  gospel, percussion, flugelhorns piano, mid-tempo, spoken word and singing, female leadsinger & teenage children choir describes what Kwanzaa is and how it's related to "our African past." celebrate community & words that rhyme like unity, responsibility   

Peace A Dream Robeone  (instrumental, multi keyboards, including acoustic piano and synthesizers, notably a moog. instrumental, slow and steady tempo, flowy, mystical, adventures music starting with a piano and then a range of electronic keyboards  

Tchatchkes Latkes  Rachael Sage She sings the ingredients in this festive ditty which sounds good late night/early morning. Gypsy Oom PahPah Waltz with festive instruments. “Onions Peppers Oy Gevalt!”  

This Christmas  The Kings Harmonic pop rock. Elvis Costello, Smithereens-y, celestial chimes.  the theme of the song is wishing for love for your family who is so far away and for strangers that are alone. Canadian Content.   

Auld Lang Syne Tony Moore  Gentle thoughtful, elderly British-sound voice, tenor,"we'll take a cup of kindness"  piano is lead instrument.  It builds into dramatic orchestral key change.

 Jody Quine & the Big Mr. C's recording of my song “Got My Eye on You, Santa” is a dream come true for me as writer.  It's perfect pop song inspired by 1960s girl groups and beloved Katrina and the Waves. 

 Brief updates on some of my artists.

 Jaclyn Bradley's new single, Hometown is live on streaming media. 

Robeone, who's been cheerleading for the Moogseum, is finding interviews about the Moogseum's 5th Anniversary and Bob Moog's 90th Birthday.  He's due an album, "Optimistica," late September on Transglobal Music/Orchard-Sony. Visit his new storefront at https://thebandwagonusa.com/collections/robeone. If you're in Asheville, Robert's got a storefront at the Moogseum at The Moogseum is at 56 Broadway Street, Asheville, NC 28801.  

Tony Moore's "Awake" is a one-man multi-media story with music and metaphors about being a caregiver for his mum, who was struggling with dementia during the pandemic. Iron Maiden's Steve Harris is one of his angels. He performed the show in Somerville, MA; Albany, NY; and New York City at The Cutting Room, and throughout the UK opening for Steve's band British Lion .  Here's the Trailer:  

The Kings' new album "The Longest Story Ever Told" is finding airplay, including on Voice of America, which interviewed the group this past week for Larry London's show, "Crossings." Their song "Nowhere to Go But Gone" is The Summer #RoadTrip Song! 

Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius signed a record deal with Trey Gunn's 7d Media (City Hall Distribution), which is home to the new Michael Shrieve album "Drums of Compassion."  Joe’s "Impostor!" album will be out on October 11 with the single "Outrage Olympics" out September 6.  Joe's available to record strings for your music. 

Refestramus, a stupendous prog rock band, helmed by Wizard/drummer/songwriter Derek Ferguson. ProgUK says the group's “Intourist” is “likeable, uplifting… a home-cooked slice of melody rich prog… the smile on its face is infectious.” The new single "Side Hustle" has a Jethro Tull flute sound, and is being promoted to radio by Powderfinger. 

I help with tour press for Grammy winning The String Revolution, who will be in Texas, Florida, California, Virginia before the end of 2024. Some of the dates will be opening slots for the California Guitar Trio, the others for Tommy Emmanuel, who shared the Grammy with TSR for "Folsom Prison Blues."  The group does its own music licensing, Check out their cover of Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean."

Brian Tarquin & Heavy Friends' "Beyond the Warrior’s Eyes" album is mainly fusion with collaborations with electric violinist Jean Luc Ponty and great guitarists including Robben Ford and Steve Morse. The final track on the album is a vocal by Phil Naro, “These Colors Don’t Run.” Flag patriotism. 

Christmas in July: Holiday Songs for 2021

Auld Lang Syne Tony Moore  Gentle thoughtful, elderly British-sound voice, tenor,"we'll take a cup of kindness"  piano is lead instrument.  It builds into dramatic orchestral key change.  

In the Bleak MidWinter (Instrumental) Hank Wedel & Ray Barron Jr instrumental midtempo, of the classic hymn with piano, Irish bazouki, soothing concertina, guitar. 

 Away In a Manger Cindy Hulette / Stephen Melillo Gentle and Orchestral, Cindy sounds a little like Kate Bush with an orchestra and sleigh bells. 

What Child Is This  Jann Klose / Stephen Mellilo orchestra with triangle and chorus  vocal: tenor, thoughtful interpretation, slow, mysterious, and wondering interpretation. bells, the whole story of Christ in the lyrics.

Road to Bethlehem  Dan Berggren   Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem, discussing the politics of the day and the options she has for giving birth to baby Jesus. Gentle voice and acoustic guitar. 

Some Say Channukah  Dean Friedman Live Recording, a singalong with kids, that includes laughter Ha-Ha-Ha-Hannukah AND singing comments on how “Cha-NU-Kah” could be pronounced!  They sing about other seasonal customs in this fun song.

 https://soundcloud.com/deanfriedman/some-say-chanukah

Tchatchkes Latkes  Rachael Sage She sings the ingredients in this festive ditty which sounds good late night/early morning. Gypsy Oom PahPah Waltz with festive instruments.  “Onions Peppers Oy Gevalt!”  

Christmas Time Jon Mullane Upbeat! Baritone version of Adam Levine, song in the same tempo as USA for Africa’s “Do They Know it’s Christmastime” About the joys of Christmas, and getting ready for it.  

  

  

Dedicated to Greta Thunberg & Pete Seeger

Songs of The Environment, Leadership, the Pandemic

Wake Up   Orleans Adult Album Alternative, trumpet, group harmony, wake up, people, “wake up!” environment, pollution, “stop throwing plastic in the sea/can’t you let the fishies be!” ecology, snow, lightning, birds in flight, seasons, signs of life, “the day’s gonna come” air pollution, water pollution, #MusiciansUnitedForSafeEnergy,  

 This Darkness  Rachael Sage female singer with CSNY protest guitar sound, environment, the song is about the Dakota Pipeline, keywords:  see myself, grieve myself, somebody's fool, hate, “I don’t know why you’re full of hate.”   

 

Beez (I Know Where The Beez Have Gone Slambovian Circus of Dreams Rock, slow tempo, environment, Americana, vocals like Tom Petty, “Stopped controlling the world,” lyrics offer ideas on how to increase the bees to visit plantlife. “the bees are in my yard, I know where the Beez Have Gone,” “Reteaching me the facts of life” “creatures great and small”    

Freedom Hymn CC Clevenger patriotic southern rock starting with a drum roll & Charlie Daniels/ Molly Hatchet style guitars & voice, respect for our military, hook is "thank you Air Force & Marines, Coast Guard, Army and Navy to the men and women." recites Pledge of Allegiance.

Backbone Emily Hurd  country, female lead vocals, like Alison Krauss, rising above obstacles, against the people that got in the way of her success or love, it breaks her heart but you played your part building my backbone. 

One Good Man   Cornelius Eady male vocals percussion, John Henry's hammer, one good man shook people up against the odds, mock the devil straight to his face, Resist 

Divided We Fall Bill Leverty  hard rock/classic rock, male vocals, bass, lead   guitar, dangerous song, standing up to a troublemaker who can anything than anyone else.  "You're a natural--natural disaster."  

A Void  Andrew Alling acoustic/singer-songwriter Neil Young style with guitar and harmonica male vocals  A Void in relationships, why are we against the world? DirtyWords, time to heal, rock & ground shaking poetics. 

Holiday Songs

GLORY TO THE NEWBORN KING   Erin Hannon   “Hark The Herald” classical with a full lyric soprano that rolls her rrrrs.  "Sleep In Heavenly Peace.” The brains behind this master is Stephen Melillo, the music director of the award-winning movie, "One Little Finger" w/ Siedah Garrett, and the longline "Ability in Disability."  

NEVER TAKE LOVE FOR GRANTED Dan Berggren  Shopping in the malls for Christmas. “You’ll never take love for granted if you always give love in return.”  Male bass/baritone and acoustic guitar.  Folk styled.  

GOT MY EYE ON YOU, SANTA  Jody Quine & the Big Mr. C.  Female vocals.  Christmas bells.  Flirting with Santa!  Like Katrina and the Waves meets the Shirelles. 

 

CHRISTMAS IS COMING Leo Schaff   Beach Boys meets Shins. Male vocals. His true love ran around the world, and said she’d make it home for the holidays.  A year has gone by, and he’s singing, “Christmas is coming, New Years is coming,” sand “Will you make it home for the holidays?” 

leightonmedia · Christmas Is Coming  by Leo Schaff

WHY CAN’T EVERYDAY BE LIKE CHRISTMAS  (ballad) Tang a gentle, lush song with stand out chimes, bells, violin, and viola, angels, stars shining, and bells ringing.  Denny Colt sings in a sweet, girl-next door voice and range similar to Cassadee Pope’s or Emma Roberts. 

BadPacRecords · Why Can't Everyday Be Like Christmas_ballad

O' HOLY NIGHT Christmas Passion, Jann Klose: classical instrumental with soaring tenor vocals. voice like Ray LaMontagne and a bold Stevie Winwood or Paul McCartney. 

HANUKKAH IN THE VILLAGE Rachael Sage   mellow piano, singer-songwriter.  Rachael’s observations on the eve of Hanukkah in New York City.




HAPPY DECEMBER Jaclyn Bradley Palmer   Affectionate singalong  that mentions every big holiday: Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, New Year’s into one song! 

More Songs Here: 

leightonmedia · Seasonal--Christmas-Hannakah-December thru January holidays

New Playlist: Thank you, Greta & Pete, from the musicians

I dedicate the hashtag #IKnewYouWhen to a man that was “a great radio teacher,” who also sang folk music with my fellow classmates at Fredonia State. Dan Berggren taught me how to listen—really listen, which is one of the reasons I keep listening to new music.

It’s a joy to watch my teacher grow his career, and a blessing to spread the word about his songs about the environment. Dan’s song “Looking for Answers” is about a daughter asking her father if we’ll have a future because of what’s going on with our environment. This past November a review in the Saratogian described Dan, “Resembling a young Pete Seeger.” YEAH!  😊 

All my songwriters have a little Pete Seeger in them. In fact, John and Johanna Hall worked with him on the Clearwater. John's influence on teaching us about the environment is earth-shaking, especially the No Nukes concerts in the 1970s. He and Johanna Hall, who had the sync to end all syncs STILL THE ONE have a vintage song WAKE UP from Orleans II. With classic Orleans’ harmony and trumpet, this is a hooky song with clever lyrics.  Note that WAKE UP is with Sony Publishing, and is NOT a ONE-STOP.

WAKE UP Orleans  Adult Album Alternative, trumpet, group harmony, wake up, people, “wake up!” environment, pollution, “stop throwing plastic in the sea/can’t you let the fishies be!” ecology, snow, lightning, birds in flight, seasons, signs of life, “the day’s gonna come” air pollution, water pollution, MusiciansUnitedForSafeEnergy, This song is co-written by John and Johanna Hall, the couple that wrote the most incredible sync, “You’re Still The One.”  

GLOBAL WARMING Phoebe Legere  Singer Songwriter, Piano and soaring female vocals and strings, vocals in English and French, rising sea levels, oceans, "I place a piano on the tongue of the world to give it a voice to cry.”    
  

LOOKING FOR ANSWERS Dan Berggren Folk, daughter asking about what the environment will look like when she grows up. Long term / Short term materialism, greed, easy answers, ask questions, learn what's ahead.  


DON’S THEME Joe Olnick Instrumental guitar, influences like David Gilmour, Alex Skolnick, Kyuss, Roy Bucchanan. Emotional, atmospheric, sad, orchestral, slow, dirge    Mellow and quite proggy,pretty. The guitar soloing is slow and expressive. As it continues a bluesy edge is introduced to the piece. This continues to grow with style and class.  


BEES AND ZOMBIES Rebecca Loebe Theatrical Folk, Gilbert & Sullivan-y. If Jim Carrey was a soprano, singing a train-of-thought song with symphonic piano backup singers. About the environment. Rebecca telling someone about environment problems, and the person takes another seat. At the end, someone else tells her about the bees, and guess what! She moves away... The video is a delight, like a school play with children and a slightly panic’d male teacher. 

THIS DARKNESS Rachael Sage Pop, Dream Pop/Chamber Pop, female singer with CSNY protest guitar sound, environment, the song is about the Dakota Pipeline, keywords:  see myself, grieve myself, somebody's fool, hate, “I don’t know why you’re full of hate."
 

A TERRIBLE PICKLE  Dean Friedman  A Music Hall song with ukulele about the world being in a terrible pickle. Some mentions of Australia-related nature-- Koalas and eucalyptus trees, all kinds of mentions about the environment, the oceans are rising. Kyota accord.  


MARY MAGDALENE Gary Lucas & Jann Klose Upbeat folk song with Irish singalong energy, singer sounds like Paul McCartney, Ed Sheeran. About Superstorm Sandy, hunkering down and praying during a horrible storm that took place in Long Island, 2012. The City never had a hurricane like this.  It told New Yorkers that global warming is real


NOBODY KNEW Carmine Appice’s Guitar Zeus Hard Rock, Like the heavier parts of the Beatles’ “I’m the Walrus” and “Strawberry Fields,” Brian May guitar, vocals by Kelly Keeling. “Nobody knew who’s running the White House,” gas, all we wanted, here we are, Hear me now. Nobody Knew where they were going. “There’s a hole in the blue sky” "Thought it would last."


Spotify Playlist dedicated to Greta Thunberg
Thank you from the musicians

SXSW Songwriters

Rebecca Loebe, John Brodeur, Rachael Sage are meeting folks at SXSW.

Rebecca's latest album GIVE UP YOUR GHOSTS (on Austin's Blue Corn Records) features GROWING UP, a collection of poignant observations on how things change.  Sounding like one of Ed Sheeran's waltzes, GROWING UP''s hook "growing old, getting over it."  


Rebecca has two shows: Thursday, May 14: Driskill, 604 Brazos Street, at 9 PM CT 
Friday March 15: Saxon Pub, 1320 W. Lamar at 8 PM

Then it’s off to Europe, including her March 31 show in London at The Green Note.
P.S. Rebecca's looking forward to opening for Suzzy Roche & Lucy Wainwright Roche Cookout Concerts in Novato CA 6/2! http://tinyurl.com/yytveyra 

This just in: ROLLING STONE Country writes:

Bird Streets is John Brodeur's new project, with production from Jason Falkner (Jellyfish, TV Eyes). John is also in Austin.  Newly signed to Omnivore records, the label is ripping him for syncs, and I'm plugging his songs. Listen to "Betting on the Sun," which is sounds like Elvis Costello meets Brian Wilson.   




Rachael Sage has been an inspiration to friends for years.  She's performing Saturday afternoon, March 16  at 4:45 PM CT, at Art.Work, 201 E 5th St., in Austin.

Rachael performs in London on May 16 at the Bedford.
Next week she's releasing an acoustic album  (PSEUDOMYOPIA) of songs from her current full band collection: MYOPIA.

"Alive" is such an upbeat song, listing topical possibilities "including microfilm being pulled out of the archive," " the olympics where nobody ever cheats!"  She mentions Frida Kahlo,  and the hook "IT’S GOOD TO BE ALIVE." 

Listen to Some of our Spiritual and Holiday songs at: https://soundcloud.com/leightonmedia/sets/seasonal-christmas-hannakah.

Christmas Songs from Soul Moves Music

NEVER TAKE LOVE FOR GRANTED Dan Berggren 

 Shopping in the malls for Christmas. “You’ll never take love for granted if you always give love in return.”  Male bass/baritone and acoustic guitar.  Folk styled.  

WHAT CHILD IS THIS  John Driskell Hopkins Featuring Balsam Range (Reckon Whose Young’un This is mix)

Lead singer of Zac Brown Band singing classic Christmas song, with string section and acoustic guitar and banjo, an “Andy Williams” vibe. 

JOY TO THE WORLD Rachael Sage

Mid tempo, joyful vocals, driven by an upbeat cello, string quartet, lilt of a gentle voice, spiritual, gentle bells.

GOT MY EYE ON YOU SANTA by Jody Quine & the Big Mr. C (Dan Berggren) This flirtatious song has sleigh bells. Like Meghan Trainor, Katrina and the Waves, administered by SHEER PUBLISHING. c/o info@sheer.co.za and+27 11 438 7000.

http://www.AnneLeighton.com/soul-moves-music

Love Family Some Negativity Winter 2017 Songs

It's that time of year when we love all kinds of people.  Let's face it, we have people we love whole-heartedly.  As for the people that make life harder for us, we pay attention because their stories are unique.   NOTHING AT ALL is a Gentle Giant song about a female crazy maker. It's special because it's a radio edit by mixer to the Prog Stars Steven Wilson.   Every other song is about all the different love we have for all the different people! Happy holidays!!!!

Dean Friedman’s new album “12 Songs” features YOUR PRETTY FACE.  His new love song is a slow, jazz-inspired ballad about how far Dean will travel to see your pretty face.

Indeed Dean is traveling to friends & colleagues in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco. Say "hi" back, you pretty cool person!  

Dean’s shows:

Dec. 2: NYC at the Bitter End, NY, NY

Dec. 9: Fort Mason Center for the Arts-Southside Theater, San Francisco

Dec. 10: Afternoon House Concert in Oakland, CA  

Dec. 15: Coffee Gallery, Altadena, CA

Dec. 23: Kulak's Woodshed, North Hollywood, CA 

BLUE CANOE BLUES: Phoebe Legere 

Roots rock with electric guitar, female soprano. In the winter, there lake is frozen, and she has to wait for the spring when the ice melts to visit her true love. Native American singing including in song. 

Ms. Legere’s Americana album, HEART OF LOVE broke Roots Music Radio’s Top 20 this year. In March her off-Broadway show, SPEED QUEEN debuts in New York City. 

LEMONADE Alex Boye’: Afro-pop, tenor voice, electronics, joyful. “I used to be bitter, bitter, bitter or you can be better, better, better...Every day is like a brand new day.”  Watch and hear Alex live December 11 on Monday Night Football (Miami VS New England).  

NOTHING AT ALL Gentle Giant (Steven Wilson Mix) 

A girl who brought her own sadness to her by turning down potential loves. Lyrics:“The girl who has everything, and she has nothing at all.” Kindred to psychedelic Beatles meets Black Sabbath-styled guitar cords. This is a 4:54 radio edit of the original nine minute song. 

Gentle Giant’s new release, THREE PIECE SUITE is Steve Wilson’s remixes on selected songs from the first 3 albums.  It also comes in Blu-Ray. 

THE TRUTH I KNOW  Robert Wyckoff

Like an acoustic Marshall Tucker song, with lyrics about believing that people will be nicer. Hoping there will be no more hunger or lies.  My Soul Moves Music co-partner Karen Besbeck wrote this song about having faith in the human race.

PARALLEL REALITY Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius 

Electric violin and guitar-driven rock song about parenting, and missing his son while he's on the road. This month Joe is posting on his social media, asking friends for song ideas for his Spotify list on family, togetherness, holidays, friendship, feel good.

HOLIDAY SONGS

TCHACHKES LATKES Rachael Sage 

With violin, this is old school with Rachael’s voice treated. Whimsical lyrics. So good to use: “onions peppers oy gevalt.” "Eight Days of tchachkes, can I have some more please?"  

CHRISTMAS IS COMING Leo Schaff 

song in motion like lots of people walking fast, upbeat tempo, Beach Boys’ styled harmony. 

WHAT CHILD IS THIS the Atlanta Symphony Pops Orchestra & John Driskill Hopkins
A country twist with orchestra from John Driskill Hopkins, singer of the Zac Brown Band. Tempo changes throughout the piece.

** The Orchestra’s and John’s album “The Spirit of Christmas” can be heard at https://soundcloud.com/john-driskell-hopkins

 Hear Soul Moves Music’s Holiday reel at: https://soundcloud.com/ leightonmedia/sets/seasonal-christmas-hannakah
Listen to our Love & Valentine songs at: https://soundcloud.com/ leightonmedia/sets/valentines-love 
http://anneleighton.com/soul-moves-music 

October: Songs of Kindness for Soul Moves Music

We need a little kindness, and music brings it.



ENDOMORPH (Dedicated to My Parents) Allan Holdsworth 
Vocals by Craig Copeland 

Free flowing, jazz-influenced, slow.  Allan's synthaxe and a celestial tenor play slow and enchanting:  "there was a time."  

The lyrics are about unfinished business—words never said to a love.

TOO GONE, TOO YOUNG by Hank Wedel

Hank wrote "Listen" for Christy Moore, and lives in County Cork. TOO GONE, TOO YOUNG is about a late, great friend who “always had the best boots, he really knew his leather.”  hook: “Living in the land of love.” Tempo will remind you of John Stewart’s “GOLD.” 

PARALLEL REALITY  Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius About parenting, and missing his son while he's on the road. Like a faster and heavier “High Fly” (John Miles hit). Bad ass drums. It's about how tour life is a fantasy world; a parallel existence that is fleeting. Hence the line "a fleeting kiss is all this is."   (P.S. Yes, that is Joe's son Max Deninzon that did the art work for the album!)

BEHIND THE CURTAIN  Joe Deninzon Stratospheerius

Joe is asking for an honest world, and not getting answers from public figures, corporations, politicians!  Electric violin-fueled progressive hard rock! A song that talks about the masks we all wear in public. Conspiracies! The song uses lots of “Wizard Oz” keywords: “Pay No Attention to the Man Behind The Curtain.” “Click your heels 3 times.” Similar tempo to Black Sabbath’s PARANOID.

SISTERSONG by Rachael Sage 

Imagine if all the women agreed to dialogue with one another as opposed to about one another. Keyword: "I will stay with you... I will keep you company... that's what sisters do."  A fan posts, "I used to think Ani DiFranco or Tori Amos wrote this song..."

NOBODY'S TALKING Gary Lucas & Jann Klose

Both Gary and Jann sing on this acoustic “zombies on cell-phones that short-circuit meaningful dialogue” song. Saxophone included. “J-sweet” is a technical term related to hacking using Java. P.S. How many years have we been asking our friends in the same room to talk to us, not their cellphones? 

TOUCH OF KINDNESS Elliott Murphy

Rebuilding self-esteem through kindness.  jangly guitar.  TOUCH OF KINDNESS was number one in Belgium!

Hear our expanding Holiday reel at: https://soundcloud.com/leightonmedia/sets/seasonal-christmas-hannakah 

http://anneleighton.com/soul-moves-music/