stories & songs

“Telephone Lines” - Benny Gammerman

Today’s song is an experimental snippet from my early college days. Can you tell I listened to Pet Sounds like every friggin day?

“Sound the Call (of Love)” - Paul Lessard & Benny Gammerman

Since I have less than two weeks to complete the vocal score of Wasteland (it’s a good thing, trust me), it’s gonna be a while till I have time to record something new, but in the meantime, let’s dust off a few gems from the past! “Sound the Call” is a summer camp love song for anyone who was a camper, counselor, student or teacher at the Interlochen Arts Camp. Those were some grand ole times, weren’t they?

I was walking though main camp
Picked a bench right in the mall
Saw you standing there, red socks, brown hair
And God, you were so tall

I ordered us some freezers
For the sun was shining bright
I said, “What cabin are you?”
You said, “Twenty two.”
Let’s plan a co-rec for tomorrow night!

Sound the call
I just don’t know what to do
Oh sound the call
I’m falling for you
I’m walking on air, can’t fell the ground
So flip that red badge upside down
I thank the stars above
Sound the call of love

Mixed seating at Kresge
Should go down without a hitch
It’s like a date, the band sounds great
Despite my swimmers itch

One week gone, doin fine
Two weeks gone and you’re still mine
Three weeks gone, I’ll talk to you online

Sound the call
I just don’t know what to do
Oh sound the call
I’m falling for you
I think about you after taps
At 1:15 when I take naps
I wish that you would understand
All I can do is you hold your hand
So come on girl, get off your butt
And meet me at the at the tuba hut
I thank the stars above
Sound the call… of love!

“See in the Dark” - The Vinyl Addicts

I had hoped to have a new song for today, but between Belize, Father’s Day, jet lag, and various social engagements (boo hoo), that hasn’t happened. I guess I’ll just have to gladly double up next week. Nevertheless, I do have something special: a track from The Vinyl Addicts’ debut album Live at Mill Pond, recorded in my parents’ living room just shy of ten years ago. It’s called “See in the Dark.”

“Kandy” - Fat Ferret

Seeing as I’ll be in Belize next Tuesday (damn straight), I figured I’d post my next song a bit early. Today’s tune is a radical departure from what I’ve shared thus far… a rap song called “Kandy” by the duo known as Fat Ferret (myself and the infamous Anna Breslaw). It is a work of fiction and not to be taken seriously. I’m looking at you, Mom and Dad. Enjoy.

“Emmaleaha” - Amanda Savan, Dylan H. Thompson & Benny Gammerman

I have something very special to share today. “Emmaleaha” is the opening number from Wasteland (by Thompson & Gammerman). It introduces our two protagonists, conveys their hopes and fears, and sets the tone of the show. Featuring the fabulous Amanda Savan as Emma, Dylan H. Thompson as Cuinn, and yours truly as Tobolt.

INT. SECLUDED CAVERN. JUST BEFORE DAWN.

A fire-pit, two cots — a simple dwelling but obviously a home. On the ground rests a lifeless body draped in the black cloak from earlier. EMMALEAHA (female, 20, MEZZO SOPRANO), beautiful and statuesque but solid, stands over her mother. She wears a handmade white frock. In mourning, she sings…

Emmaleaha
EMMALEAHA YOU CALLED ME
EMMALEAHA YOU GAVE ME THAT NAME
MOTHER TO CHILD YOU WOULD TELL ME
TIME AND AGAIN THAT I WASN’T THE SAME
AS THE REST OF THE WORLD
AS THE MASSES OF MINDS SO TWISTED AND CURLED
I COULD NEVER BELONG
WITH THE MONSTERS OUT THERE, BUT COULD YOU HAVE BEEN WRONG?

AND THE MORE THAT I GRIEVE
THE LONGER I STAND MOURNING AT YOUR GRAVE
THE LESS I BELIEVE
THE STRONGER MY HEART FIGHTS THE WARNING YOU GAVE
AND THOUGH I KNOW YOU SAID NOT TO GO
I NEED TO TAKE THIS CHANCE TO FINALLY LEAVE

She begins to PACK her things, amongst them, a canteen, a bow and arrow, and a satchel. Preparing to leave home for the first time ever. Meanwhile…

INT. BED CHAMBER. OVERAYE KINGDOM. SIMULTANEOUS.

An ornate room with a large bed in the center. We see CUINN (male, 18, LYRIC BARITONE), stately and strong but fair and gentle. He wears an Orange tunic. He wakes from a dream, startled yet excited. He sings…

Cuinn
SAW A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
HEARD A VOICE THAT I DON’T REMEMBER
ALL THE SUDDEN EVERYTHING’S CLEAR
AND THE DAYLIGHT IS GROWING
BUT THERE’S NO WAY OF KNOWING I FEAR

TOBOLT (male, awkwardly endearing), clad in a yellow tunic, enters to find CUINN getting out of bed. He sings…

Tobolt
HEARD YOUR VOICE IN THE DARKNESS
IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO SIR?

Cuinn
NEVER MIND NOW WE DON’T HAVE MUCH TIME
FOR THE SUNLIGHT IS SHOWING
ALL THE MOUNTAINS WE’RE GOING TO CLIMB

TOBOLT helps CUINN prepare to depart. Simultaneously, EMMALEAHAH gathers her things and heads towards the mouth of the cave. They SING together, in harmony:

Emmaleaha/Cuinn
THERE ARE PLACES THAT I’VE NEVER BEEN
THERE ARE FACES I SEE IN MY DREAMS
BUT THEY’RE CLOSER THAN EVER IT SEEMS

Emmaleaha
SEE THE LIGHT DIE IN YOUR EYES
SO I TURN TO THE SUNRISE

Cuinn
SEE THE DARKNESS HAS FADED
HAVE I ALREADY WAITED TO LONG?

EMMALEAHA starts on her way. CUINN and TOBOLT leave their room.

Emmaleaha
DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN I GO NOW

Cuinn
FROM THE GATES OF MY CITY

Emmaleaha
OUT OF THIS CAVE WHERE YOU TOLD ME TO STAY

Cuinn
FROM A FATHER WHO WOULD FORBID ME

Emmaleaha
DOWN TO THE VALLEY BELOW NOW
TO FIND A NEW HOME NEAR OR FAR, FAR AWAY

Cuinn
THOUGH THE ROAD MAY BE WINDING
I KNOW SOON I’LL BE FINDING MY WAY

CUINN leads TOBOLT towards the desolate landscape. EMMALEAHA begins her long climb down. Just before they go any further, EMMALEAHA and CUINN stop to look back.

Cuinn (cont’d)
OVERAYE

Emmaleaha
MUSN’T CRY

Cuinn
HELP ME EARN

Emmaleaha
CAN I LEARN

Cuinn
THE CALLING YOU’VE SHOWN!

Emmaleaha
HOW TO WALK ALONE?

With that, EMMALEAHA’s walk turns into a gallop. CUINN and TOBOLT set off into the unknown. The music swells into a BLACKOUT.