Standing On The Shoulders Pascale's The Broken Cup

[YesterdayOnceMore]

Hey everyone

Here is another song from The Broken Cup that I absentmindedly omitted when I reviewed the album in the first place. D U H !!

At any rate, this is a quite unique piece, and I wanted to be sure I gave "credit" where credit is certainly due. Apologies, Palm, for having omited it in the first place. I attempted to "modify" the original post, and it wouldn't fit there, so...it get's a thread all its own. As it should be, I suppose, considering I omited it for so long.

Enjoy, all!

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS – What a great tune this is! This one is very different than any of the others.

We are first introduced to a wonderful pan flute type of voicing, described as a World Ethnic Low Whistle . It’s very sort-of tribal sounding. And then the percussion is introduced – this was a pre-fab drum sample Fred and Palma happened onto “from the deep-dark recesses.” Palma’s voice is doubled as she sings the opening chorus:

“ We are standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before us.
True believers in His glory…righteous armies, noble chorus .”

Mostly set in a minor key, as the first verse is introduced, we are treated to lovely strings, piano and mysterious sounding drums – not as heavy as on the chorus, but with various accents added in for a wonderfully surprising effect. And, suddenly, a crescendo, like a blossoming flower into a beautiful major chord, accented with harmony as Palma sings “ round the throne of Jesus Christ.” ( Glorious , this). Here, that all-too-familiar chill factor comes into play. What a truly lovely change-up, here.

On the second chorus, Palma is joined in singing by a small group of Franciscan Brothers who, coincidentally, happened to already be in the studio on the evening that Palma recorded this song. Taught their parts on-the-spot, Brother Paulus M.T. Antz , Brother Augustine M. Conner and Rocco Musmeci sang as though they had been singing this song all of their lives – with beauty and with grace. I’m reminded here of monks singing at a “Vespers” service – all together as one voice. Palma, meanwhile, adds a touch of harmony here vocally, and the chorus makes quite an impact.

As the song progresses, there are various added touches with strings, piano, and drum rhythms which are added to enhance this beautiful number. It sums with the wonderful addition of occasional “chimes” throughout the last chorus, as well as most regal sounding crisp strings.

This composition is unlike any other on The Broken Cup, and it stands alone in its reverent beauty. What an incredible talent our composer has been gifted with….and she uses the gift…..WELL !

[ps11932]

Thanks Tim, for your excellent (as always) review of a great song. Particularly the analysis of the instruments, and of the vocal harmonizations, will help us be more alert in coming listenings. The message of the lyrics offers encouragement to continue on in the battles of life. We can remember those who have gone before us- both famous and historic people, and personal friends- and have now finished their course and received the reward. The song reminds me of one of the great chapters of The Bible, Hebrews 11. Let's take heart and continue to fulfill the mission set for us, until the Day we see Him!

[Palma Pascale]

;)Hello, my dear "PS "aka" O.S." in Chicago! Your post is a confirming tidbit for me today, and your Bible quote proves most useful to me as well! "Standing On The Shoulders" is an anthem, for the marching army of us humans, most of us who will not be remembered well by the world, but who will have collectively upheld each other, in a way not evident to us during our lifetime. As my grandmother Lina used to say, "In a hundred years, when we are gone, and everyone who ever really knew us is gone, what will it matter what we did, or failed to do?" Grammy's point was a good one, insofar as allowing us to relax about everyday decisions, and helping us not to agonize over what would one day be completely irrelevant. But that song was my little nod to the pyramid of humans, "nameless, faceless men today" whose ranks we ALL join one day in the sky. If it wasn't for them, the "story" of how God loved us wouldn't exist. In a way, we are all NOBODY and COMPLETELY RELEVANT at the same time. We are EVERYTHING and NOTHING depending on your viewpoint...sometimes depending on how you feel this very day, and how everything is going in your life.
Wow, have I rambled here or what?
Small tidbit about "SHOULDERS." I got a call a couple of days ago from a man named John Palmer (close enough to my name, eh?) who has been made the head of charismatic Catholics in the very big diocese of Rockville Centre on Long Island. He is a big fan of my album THE BROKEN CUP, and has asked if he can use SHOULDERS as the theme song for a new radio show he will be producing in September. Of course, I said I would be thrilled, and want to participate in any way I can to bring my music and other music to the Catholics and Christians everywhere I can. There is some connection of this upcoming show to a LARGE broadcast from Dublin, Ireland that might have me "playing" in the green meadows of Ireland one day, for all we know! Oh, goody, I would be SO excited about that! I dream one day to just lie on my back on a giant green lawn in Ireland....that's it...just me. lying on the endless green lawn in Ireland for awhile, til I've had enough. (By the way, can't do that on my own lawn on Long Island, cause this year the weeds have grown CRAZY! They're GREEN, but they are WEEDS just the same. What HAPPENED to our lawns on Long Island this year, does anybody have an explanation??)
Thanks again O.S. Always a pleasure to hear from you. Palma

[ps11932]

Hi Palma and thanks for your kind note and further insights. Your thoughts reminded me of the song "Who Am I", part of the 1998 John Tesh "One World" C.D. Though not very strong in and of ourselves, when God gets hold of us, we can be blessed and used in ways thought unimaginable. It's really exciting to hear about the upcoming radio broadcasts- between Rev. Palmer and Dr. Johnny, you'll be all over the air! About the weeds, all I can say is that since Genesis 3 they've had the best of us, it seems! Thanks and it's great, through prayer, to be part of your work. O.E. (S.) in Chicago

[palmapascale]

My Dear Friend, PS11932, I'm using Tim's corner to send you a message! I was thrilled to find a letter from you today, and I apologize for not checking my Post Office Box in a timely way! It has been there quite awhile, and you must have wondered what was taking me so long to send you what you requested! I shall do that this week, and let me say, I am HONORED that you are sharing THE BROKEN CUP with so many in your midst. Thank you for ALL that you are doing. Your support means SO MUCH to me here. Once again, I am SORRY for checking the box sooner...so often it is empty, but not today! Love, Palma

[DJLOVETRAIN]

Palma;I can't wait to hear your music! Dr Johnny P LoveTrain