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In the early 1990's, after more than a decade of exciting
tales and travels with Martha and the Muffins, Mark and I
found ourselves living back in Toronto where many of our friends
and family members were starting to raise families. I began
thinking about doing a collection of songs for young children
- something different - with the same sort of unusual approach
towards making music that MatM is known for. I needed a break
from the trappings of pop music and I sensed I would have
a knack for connecting musically to this new audience and
their parents. Upon listening to some of the music available
for kids, I concluded that whatever I did, it should try to
appeal to the adult companion, usually within earshot, as
well as the child.
I started writing some lyrics inspired by a book called "The
Book Of Imaginary Beings" by Jorge Luis Borges, although
the only song from those early dabblings that ended up being
recorded was "The Shang Yang". ("It will thunder,
it will rain, 'cause the shang yang's here again.") Then
something occurred which not only profoundly changed our lives
forever but also greatly influenced my children's songwriting.
When our daughter Eve was born in the late summer of 1992,
I had all the inspiration I'd ever need but little time to
devote to songwriting or recording. Somehow Mark, (then working
on film and television music) and I, who were both extremely
sleep-deprived, found enough little parcels of time over the
next few years to complete a personally rewarding collection
of children's songs that have been heard and, we're told,
loved by many people - young and not so young.
When I was little, I loved those "environmental"
songs that made me feel as if I were in a different place.
I recalled the old 78 rpm records my parents had when I was
a kid - there was one about making sandcastles on a beach
- the sounds of the waves, the birds, kids laughing - I loved
to be taken away by a song and still do. With those old records
in mind, I decided to use sounds we'd recorded on our travels
- Mexican birds, frogs, an old dock being played like a marimba
on a summer's night. I wanted kids to hear something new each
time they listened so Mark and I used lots of funny voices
and sound effects as well.
I truly wanted to engage and positively affect my listeners,
aiming to write classics rather than repeat them. By evoking
strong visual elements in the songs I hoped to invite children
to enter my imaginary world. The tree house theme developed
from there, using poems with atmospheric sounds and music
to introduce and end the album.
I also wanted to celebrate the natural beauty of the world
and respect for others though songs like "Beautiful Trees",
"The Golden Rule", "My Best Friend" and
"Shooting Stars" that hopefully impart a gentle
spiritual message.
"Songs From The Tree House" is an album I completely
enjoyed working on from start to finish because it was so
much fun and there was no pressure to succeed in any other
way than artistically. My efforts were recognized in Canada
by winning the JUNO Award for Best Children's Album of 1996.
Then a whole new world opened to me when the songs evolved
into live performances.
I approached Prologue To The Performing Arts, an agency that
brings young audiences and professional performing artists
together in schools and public venues. Happily for me, I was
added to their impressive roster and began a new career with
a show called "Songs From The Tree House", written
for the early school grades. Later on Mark and I developed
the show to suit a larger family audience and have played
venues such as The Toronto Milk Festival, The National Gallery
and First Night Toronto. Over the years I have developed a
couple of other school shows called "School Is Coo"l,
(solo), to help introduce children to school and "Song
In Your Head", (duo with Mark), which explores songwriting
with kids up to grade four.
I have many new children's songs in progress and hope to release
a second album one day but in the meantime, I will continue
to enjoy putting a smile on a few faces, including my own,
by bringing these songs to such an appreciative audience.
To buy Songs From The Tree House please
go to the Merchandise Section.
Album Description, Track Listing, Critics' Quotes and Artist
Biography for Songs From The Tree House
here…
Go to the "Song Stories"
Section to learn what inspired some of the songs…
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