Perpetuum

Written by Trevor Dick. Arrangement by TDB.

Perpetuum is the opening track of New World. It sets the mood, feel and pace of the journey we are encouraging the listener to join us on. The song fades in – like a dream and  is built on a repetitive, delay saturated motif on the electric violin. This song represents the revolution of the earth, passing of time (minutes, hours, days, months, years) changing seasons and the cycle of life. In the repetition and seemingly monotony of life, there is gradual change, interest and beauty. The violin solo in the middle of this song features Trevor’s Italian Cantini MIDI electric violin which drives the Roland GR-55 Synth pedal. The solo represents a “breaking out” of life’s monotony. To the right, you can watch the original tracking of Trevor’s solo in his home studio.

Change the World

Written by: Gordon Scott Kennedy, Wayne Kirkpatrick and Tommy L. Sims. Arrangement by TDB. Publishers: Magic Beans Music; Sondance Kid Music; MCA Music Publ. ADO Universal Studio; Polygram Int’l. Music Pubg. Group; Universal Mus-Brentwood Benson Publ.; Universal Mus-Brentwood Benson Song.

Made popular by Eric Clapton, we felt this cover was a fitting addition to the New World album with a good message. We all have opportunities to “change the World”. We need to step up and do what we can.

Ayangba Village Market

Written by Trevor Dick. Arrangement by TDB.

After several name changes, including “Nigeria Calls”, Trevor settled on “Ayangba Village Market”, a bustling market from his childhood roots in Nigeria, Africa. Ayangba is a village close to the town of Iyale where Trevor was born. Trevor has memories of his dad bringing home food and supplies from this market on route back from his missionary doctor excursions in the region. Interestingly, “Trevor” also means “little village”. Trevor says, “Africa is in my blood … it has a smell and feel that is unique to any other continent in the World. Nigeria also calls my name … I am looking for an opportunity to again visit the place of my birth”. This song went through many revisions while rehearsing with the band. It started with a few simple ideas, but really took shape as we jammed and rehearsed. The “musical line” that enters the song at 2:23 spontaneously happened while in pre-production rehearsal. Trevor has distinct memories of Will calling out during the rehearsal … “the line … play that line!” The line stuck and became a part of the song …

Schindler’s List

Written by John T. Williams ; Arrangement by Trevor Dick, Brad Toews and TDB. Copyright Info: Full Name: Theme from Schindler’s List – Represented by CMRRA; Publisher USI B Music Publishing.

On an album that is striving to convey the wonder, beauty/ugliness, sanctity, mystery and complexity of life on earth, this arrangement of the music theme from the movie, “Schindler’s List”, needed to be included. The story of Schindler (and movie) is a poignent reminder of what one person can do to make a difference in the world. The bridge to this arrangement (not originally a part of John William’s orchestration) was written as a melodic “development section” with changing key centers. This creates a feeling of tension and uncertainty in the music, before arriving back at the main theme. Multiple strings (over 12 channels) were tracked on this arrangement. In addition to the solo electric violin, Trevor tracked 9 more channels of violin and viola. It was an honour to have guest, Kevin Fox, played some key cello parts on this arrangement as well. While recording, Trevor and Kevin kept any unused instruments close by in the room to come alive (resonate) through “sympathetic vibration” – a little trick of the trade to create more orchestral resonance. Immediately after this recording, Trevor (on viola) captured this fun, live spontaneous blues jam with Kevin Fox (cello).

Ifriqiya

Written by Trevor Dick. Arrangement by TDB.

“IFRIQIYA” means “Sunny Place” – one of the original north African root words of “Africa”. The song has a cheerful West African vibe rich in rhythmic interest. Trevor was born in Nigeria, Africa. The music, rhythms and culture has had a deep influence on his approach to the electric violin. The haunting intro to this song came about as an afterthought while Trevor was tracking his electric violin parts at his home studio. He was trying to portray a lone African flute player by improvising airy harmonic overtones on the open C string of his Steinberger 5-String Electric violin.

Bourbon St. Carnival

Written by Tony Lind. Arrangement by TDB.

This song originated with its opening riff, which came to guitarist, Tony Lind, during a morning shower! The rest of the slightly “off kilter” sections seem to naturally fall together. The result being a groovy, little bluesy, fun tune that evokes a bit of a Louisiana vibe. This is one of the more challenging songs for the TDB to perform live, with all of its interesting time changes.

Canção para Aaron

Written by Will Jarvis. Arrangement by TDB.

Canção Para Aaron (“song for Aaron”) was written for Will Jarvis’s first son, Aaron. The melody reflects the carefree spirit of a two-year old child and the joy of becoming parents for the first time. This Brazilian samba with its Batucada solo percussion breakdown, stirs up vivid images of a colourful, Rio de Janeiro street parade (party) with costumes, dancers and carnival floats. Over twenty tracks of traditional latin percussion instruments such as the Surdo, Samba Whistle, Tamborim, Pandero, Agogô Bells and Repinique were laid down by Steve Heathcote and Will Jarvis. In live performance, this song is always an audience favorite.

East of Sinai – Prelude

Written and arranged by Trevor Dick and Brad Toews.

This prelude to East of Sinai is a freely improvised movie soundtrack-like piece.

Recently, in concert, Trevor has been spontaneously performing improvisational moments like the prelude to East of Sinai. He managed to capture this original take on video that was kept for the album (shown to the right).

East of Sinai

Written by Trevor Dick. Arrangement by TDB.

This song’s spy overtones and middle eastern flavour features drummer, Steve Heathcote, in an all out drum solo in the outro section of the song. The music is purposely unsettling, like traveling into a war zone. It “unravels” as it progresses to the final resonating, reverberating chord. East of Sinai represents both the present unrest in the Middle East and also the feelings of fear/uncertainty we all feel when venturing into the unknown. The title also recalls the Biblical story of Numbers 13:1-33 where Moses dispatched twelve Israelite chieftain spies to scout out the Land of Canaan (promised land). These sleuths (with the exception of Joshua and Caleb) quickly lost faith and became afraid of the the giants in the land and their fortress cities with walls too tall to climb.

Sparrow

Copyright Info: Full Name: “His Eye is on the Sparrow”. Words: Civilla D. Martin and Music: Charles H. Gabriel (Public Domain). Arrangement by Trevor Dick, Brad Toews and TDB.

This is the TDB instrumental setting of the great Gospel favorite, “”His Eye is on the Sparrow”, recorded by many loved artists. Trevor has memories of singing this song with his family in Nigeria. It brought real comfort when, at age 4, his dad died in a car accident. The song is based on the following verses of Bible Scripture:

“What is the price of two sparrows–one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows” Matthew 10:29-31

Prayer for Peace

Written by Trevor Dick. Arrangement by TDB.

The title of this track says it all … it’s a song of hope for Peace. The following quotes say it well:

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality … I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word”
Martin Luther King, Jr.

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other”
Mother Theresa

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace”.
Jimi Hendrix

Mother’s Kiss

Written by Will Jarvis. Arrangement by TDB.

Mother’s Kiss is a smooth Bossa Nova, rich in tone, Brazilian style and groove. It is dedicated to Will Jarvis’s mother who passed away during pre-production for the recording. Will states: “I could feel her presence during the recording process and drew on her energy as I tracked this particular song”. In this arrangement, Will is featured on piccolo bass during his opening and solo.

West of the Great Divide

Written by Trevor Dick.

This short, freely improvised, solo electric 5-string violin piece has a distinct “Americana” sound … telling the story of the early settlers, with adventurous, pioneering spirits; who made the dangerous journey West across North America – finally crossing over the Rocky Mountain great divide

New World

Arrangement by TDB. Copyright Info: Full Names: “What A Wonderful World”: Represented by CMRRA. Written by: Robert Thiele and George David Weiss. Publishers: Quartet Music Inc.; Abilene Music; LLC and Range Road Music Inc. “New World Symphony No. 9” composed by Antonín Dvořák (public domain).

This song is a medley/compilation of the main theme from Antonín Dvořák’s “New World Symphony” and “What a Wonderful World”. Dvořák, while on a sailing voyage to the “New World” (North America) was so inspired by the African and Native American people (and music), he wrote this symphony upon his return to the Czech Republic. For this reason, we felt a pairing of his symphony theme with “What a Wonderful World” (made popular by the great African American, Louis Armstrong) was appropriate. This arrangement embodies the spirit of adventure, risk, vision … exploring new worlds. TDB chose it as the title track to this album because of the new direction they have taken as a band with this project. It was again an honour to have Kevin Fox track some cello parts on this arrangement.

Schindler’s List (Acoustic)

Written by John T. Williams ; Arrangement by Trevor Dick, Brad Toews and TDB. Copyright Info: Full Name: Theme from Schindler’s List – Represented by CMRRA; Publisher USI B Music Publishing.

When recording Schindler’s List, we decided to record two versions: a full band version (above) and this less orchestrated more traditional acoustic version; tracked very simply with acoustic violin, piano, upright bass and acoustic guitar. We felt this would be a reflective way to close the album, in a “ghost track” fashion, set up by some extra seconds of silence. We like the intimacy and integrity that was captured in this recording. It is real and untouched.