Just for Fun - Robot Dance 2

I've had my head down, working hard on a large, serious choral work, a choral arrangement and an instrumental commission. All three received their world premiers in 2017.  I received a Canada Council travel grant to attend the premier in Vancouver.  I was a guest speaker at a music conference, and have just finished writing a short article for a music magazine.  It's been a whirlwind!

It was time for a little fun, writing something completely different.  The Auxy app on my iPad was just what I needed to write a sequel to Robot Dance #1.  Let your imagination go as you visualize Robot Dance 2!

Robot Dance 2

New Album In The Works!

I've been chipping away at two new albums, writing and recording as I get the chance.  I have released a few singles on iTunes, Amazon & GooglePlay from the upcoming albums.  I am also posting sneak previews of work in progress on SoundCloud.

More news soon!

Geoff

My New Composer Website

I live a dual musical life.  I spend some of my time working on alt.pop/singer-songwriter/electronic music.  I spend some of my time writing serious choral and classical music.

My classical composer website and mobile site are up and running!  You are invited to take them for a test-drive at:

http://www.dgeoffreybell.com

Happy listening!

New Official Geoffrey Bell Website!

I've spent recent weeks trying to consolidate all of the music I have written and recorded, to get it "out there" so people can hear it.  I'm reaching way back to the 1970s to dust off old recordings, and organizing more recent work, putting it where it can be heard.  If a songwriter writes songs that nobody hears, do the songs really exist? 

So, warts and all, I have created the New Official Geoffrey Bell website and mobile site. It has six samples of my songs, spanning a range of genres.  It has links to iTunes, Amazon and Google Play, where more songs are available.

There is more to organize, more music to make public, and there are so many more songs waiting to be finished.  Happy listening!

The New Official Geoffrey Bell Website

Electronic Rock - 1978

Amongst the reels of tape that were digitally restored, we recovered three pieces of electronic rock.  I wrote and recorded all three in the Electronic Music Lab at the University of Calgary.  Each instrumental part was recorded one track at a time, built layer upon layer until I ran out of tracks. 

"What?" is a solo instrumental piece of electronic rock.  The studio Moog was monophonic, meaning it could only play one note at a time.  It took forever, but I had fun!

"You and I" features Pat Tufts doing vocals with me.  "Look Around" is my call for positive action in the world.

If you enjoyed electronic rock in the late seventies, you might enjoy a blast from the past with these!

This link might take you there:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/geoffrey-bell-archive-electronic/id908855481?uo=4

Otherwise, search iTunes for Geoffrey Bell, then click "Geoffrey Bell Archive: Electronic Songs - 1978".

Happy listening!

Recordings Found

In March I wrote about recordings that are most likely lost for good.  I know they existed at one time, but it's unlikely I'll ever hear them again.

Happily, I have been able to recover some other old recordings of mine that were on reel-to-reel tape. Thanks to the kindness and hard work of Keith Smith and Rob Bartlett, I have recovered a number of recordings that go back as far as 1975.  Through their combined magic, the music can be heard again.
I will be gradually releasing tracks as I work through them.  The first collection is ready today!

I was 18 years old when I recorded four songs for piano and flute at Sound West Recording Studio in Calgary.  I recorded each piano track first, then improvised flute tracks over three of them.  These pieces are being released on an EP this week on iTunes, Amazon & Google Play.  Just search for Geoffrey Bell.  The EP is called Geoffrey Bell Archive: Piano & Flute.

I have also put together a slideshow on YouTube using one of the tracks.  Happy listening!

http://youtu.be/rVdjm6mUWa4

Lost Recordings

As I rummage through my collection of songs I have written and recorded over the years, I have started to think about recordings once made, now lost.  I know that most of these recordings are long-gone, never to be heard again.  Some part of me wishes I could travel back in time to get one copy of each, just so I could listen to them again.

"Bed" performing on Sun Tree Stage - Calgary Stampede - July 10, 1974
In 1974 I was playing keyboards in a rock group called "Bed".  We covered songs by Led Zepplin, Jethro Tull and the Allman Brothers, and created new interpretations of blues standards, such as "Stormy Monday".

Eugene Chadbourne, the music critic for the Calgary Herald, wrote about the performance:
"Bed plays rock and roll, and it tries to play the music as hard and as energetically as possible."
"The members of this group were all much younger than the average band featured so far at Sun Tree."
"...the group's Sun Tree performance revealed seeds of the kind of potential Calgary's music scene needs badly.  These guys should keep playing."

From the stage, I could see the technicians in the sound booth, and a reel-to-reel tape recorder recording our show.  We were never offered a copy.  It sure would be fun to hear that recording now!

"Lassiter's Third Herd" - studio recording of five blues standards - Ida Banks' studio in Edmonton, 1976
In the summer of 1976 I played keyboards for Art Lassiter's blues band.  We recorded five blues standards.  The band was tight, and we played well.  Money was tight, and I didn't pay for a copy of the recording.  I wish I could hear it again.

"A Certain Kind" - 30 min. TV special - April 9, 1976
In 1976 I also played keyboards in a Calgary Jazz/Rock trio.  We were invited to record a 1/2 hour TV special in the SAIT television studio, and the production won the 1976 SAIT Television Production Award.  It was broadcast on Friday, April 9th.  Sadly, this was before people owned VCRs.  We have other studio recordings, but chances are that a recording of the TV special no longer exists. 

Where does that leave me?  Looking at a box of reel-to-reel recordings, wondering if I can find anyone with a good-quality reel-to-reel tape recorder in good condition.  Amongst these, there is my first professional studio recording of flute and piano music I recorded when I was 17.  I'd like to hear it again, and share it with sympathetic ears.

There is more music to be heard in my archives.  And there is so much more new music waiting to be recorded!

Performing at Calgary Stampede, age 17

Now available on iTunes, Amazon, Deezer, Spotify, GooglePlay, etc.

It's finally happened!  A selection of my songs are now available on iTunes, Amazon, Deezer, Spotify, GooglePlay, etc.

Unfortunately, there's already an established Geoff Bell out there writing electronic synth/rock.

So, do a search for Geoffrey Bell and you'll find me.  More music is on the way!

Promoting vs. Writing

Every hour I spend posting online, adding links, connecting sites is an hour I am not creating music.  On the flip side, if a songwriter writes songs in isolation and no-one ever hears them, do they exist beyond the room in which they are being played?

My life is a juggling act.  If posts are sporadic, I hope it means I am writing.
I'll let you know when new songs are ready to be heard.

In the meantime, please visit my Bandcamp page and SoundCloud page to hear what I've posted online.
Happy listening,

Geoff

Creating a New Music Genre

I've been searching for some time to find a descriptive label for the music I write.  Many songwriter-promoting websites ask me to pigeon-hole my style of music, or identify which well-known music it sounds like.  This doesn't sit well with me.  I enjoy exploring a wide variety of genres and coming up with my own, unique sound. My music sounds like me. (Scattered, all over the place, sometimes shallow, sometimes deep.)

I've been toying with a variety of labels.  Today I thought of Contemporary Romantic Adult Pop, but had to abandon that when I realized the acronym was CRAP!
 ;-)

Therefore, I am back at the beginning of my quest to answer those eternal questions:
"Who or what am I?" and "What am I doing here?"
If anyone out there knows, please feel free to share that information.  And if you have a genre label that you think fits, I'd be happy to give it a try.  I'm pretty sure it will include the word, 'alternative', but I'm not sure of much else.

THIS WEEK'S NEWS:
1. I've been invited to attend a concert that will include one of my songs, which will be recorded live.
2. I've been contacted by one of my music publishers, asking me to provide recordings of three of my published songs for their website.  (Does anyone out there have recordings of "Come With Me on Horses", "Requiem For the Innocent", or "Inventions and Machines"?)
3. I'm waiting to hear back from a publisher, a literary agent and a story-writing contest about my two newest books.  Sounds like the premise for a joke!

Have a safe and happy holiday.
Geoff

Finished New Teen Fiction Novel!

My faithful readers may have been wondering where I've been hiding.  I've been visiting with a lot of family this summer, and sneaking in writing time whenever I can.  This week I finished my teen fiction novel.  It is now in the hands of four trusted family members, who will get the first shot at reading it and offering critiques.  After that, I'm open to sending copies to anyone willing to read it.

Volunteers?

The First Reviews are Coming In!

Oh, it's good to have supportive friends and family!  The first two reviews have come in, and my family editor wants to meet with me and go over some constructive feedback notes.  The feedback is positive, encouraging me to take the next step.  Time to look for more interested readers, and a publisher just looking for a short adventure story set in Nova Scotia for the 12-14-year-old demographic!

I've started my next story, which will be longer.  It's based on a little conspiracy theory of mine...
:-)

G

Nova Scotia Adventure story finished!

I just put the finishing touches on my Nova Scotia adventure story this weekend.  Just printed out the first two paper copies.  It will be interesting to see who volunteers to read it, and what the reactions will be.  I gave it my best...now we'll see what the critics have to say! 

The first reading opportunities go to family and friends.  One hopes they will be diplomatic.  Then we'll see if anyone else is interested!

Next, a conspiracy story is in the works.  I'm having fun!

New Creative Works

You haven't heard from me for a while because life has been taking all my energy and focus recently.  When I have had the chance, I've been working on writing two new books!  I can't give details right now without giving too much away, but I can tell you this much.

One is an adventure about a 12-year-old boy, based on my time living in Nova Scotia.  It's a short novel for kids around that age, using lots of local history and geography.

The other book is non-fiction for an adult audience about negotiating through the challenges of life today.  It's sort of a guide book, (I don't want to say "self help for dummies"), but that sort of idea. (I had to live the experiences before I could write about them, so I suppose that makes me the original dummy!)  Anyway,  I'm enjoying the writing process.  Once I'm done both books, I'll be interested to see if anyone wants to read them! 

Volunteers?

New music from Geoff released on Bandcamp.com

In 2005 I released "On Being Human" as a limited-edition CD for friends and family.  It was created in my home studio after I purchased my Yamaha S80 synthesizer.  I wanted to put both the synthesizer and the studio  through their paces to see what they could do.  I also wanted to push my own musical limits to see what I could create. The result is an eclectic collection spanning a variety of musical styles.  Yes, that's me playing every imaginable instrument and singing the vocals, with Pat Tufts as a guest vocalist for "Fencing Boy."

The performances and recording are not up to professional standards; this is my pre-production demo of the songs that came from my explorations.

I have decided to release this collection to the online community with the hope that somebody else will enjoy listening to my songs, rough edges and all.  Anyone can now listen to "On Being Human" at:
http://geoffbell.bandcamp.com

Since then, I have also been creating electronic instrumental soundscapes, suitable as soundtracks for film, television and moody alternate realities. I have decided to release these as well, in a brand new 2012 collection called "Electronic Soundscapes."  You can hear these too at:
http://geoffbell.bandcamp.com 

Of course, taste in music is a very personal thing.  You are invited to explore the music I have posted.  I hope you find something you enjoy!

Geoff

Big Band version of Single Life! (Are you ready Dan Hill and Michael Buble?)

OK, it's finally happened!  I have just finished writing and recording the Big Band version of "Single Life."  It all started as a challenge from Canadian songwriting and recording legend Dan Hill.  He heard my original pop version of Single Life and liked the lyrics, but not the pop style. He said, "I really hear this as a blues song," and did a quick rendition of the chorus accompanying himself on the piano.  After my initial shock and dismay, I took this on as a personal challenge.  I wanted to see what I could do to reinvent the song as Dan Hill imagined it.

The gutsy blues version is still waiting for its turn to be recorded, but as I was working it out, I kept imagining it being performed by Michael Buble with a big band.  So, I wrote the big band score in Finale, recorded it using Garritan Jazz & Big Band 3, overdubbed the vocals, tenor sax and trombone solos, added some piano licks for good measure, and adjusted the final mix.

You can hear the results at:
http://noisetrade.com/geoffbell

Have fun listening!  (And next time you bump into Michael, please let him know I have a song for him!)
:-)

Geoff

Yamaha S80 Tips Website Revived!

I have recently put my Yamaha S80/90 tips website back online.  It has been on hiatus for a few years while I was reworking other parts of my life. This will be of absolutely no interest to anyone who doesn't own an S80 or an S90.  It will be invaluable to anyone who wants to figure out how to use all the amazing features but is frustrated by the manual. Neither the manual nor the screen display are user-friendly.  The S80 tips site contains notes of mine and notes shared by other users who have been willing to share their hard-earned discoveries.

Those who have heard my alt.pop music are hearing the Yamaha S80 in combination with acoustic guitar, electric guitar and flute.  Pretty much every other instrument sound was created on the S80, apart from the digitally recorded orchestral instruments.  Now you know!

Yamaha S80 Keyboard Beginner's Reference

Geoff's music on CBC Radio 3 & Sirius Satellite Radio 152

Now you can listen to songs from my album in progress, "Songs From the Edge" on CBC Radio 3, which can be found on Sirius Satellite Radio 152.  Go to http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/search/?q=Geoff%20Bell where you can listen to the program currently playing on Sirius 152, or choose instead to listen to the songs on my list.

Either way, you'll hear something that you can't hear many other places!
(Yes, there's a reason for that... it's because the singer/songwriters involved are putting our music out there so people can hear it and choose what they like!)

I'm still working on building a fan base to share my music with the world.  If you find a song you like, please feel free to let other people know where they can hear more!

:-)
Geoff

TEDxCalgary

I just spent a fascinating afternoon at TEDxCalgary.  The Calgary Folk Music Festival Hall is still under construction, but they managed to host the event nonetheless.  The washrooms were in a trailer outside, (-20 degrees, but hey, we're Canadian!)  The conversation inside was hot enough to keep everybody warm and focused.  We had some impressive speakers who challenged us to think differently about the conference topic, "Volunteer . . even better."

I've got a lot to think about now, and am pondering an idea to meet the "3 things you can do" challenge.

More later ...

Getting Out There

I just got back from my second visit to Market Collective.  Local musicians on stage, great coffee from Higher Ground, interesting original art, jewelry and clothing!

I talked with some animators from QuickDraw Animation Society about collaborating on a music video for "Single Life" and a photographer/artist about creating a CD cover for my current project, "Songs From the Edge."

I stopped by the CJSW booth to ask about getting some airplay. 

Wayne Gretsky says, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
Methodology asks, "What are you afraid of?"