Series 1, Episode 14: Get Back Up! Artwork

Theater of the Imagination

Join award winning composer Peter Link as he presents his life's work in 'Theater of the Imagination.'

Theater of the Imagination

Series 1, Episode 14: Get Back Up!

July 28, 2021 • Peter Link • Season 1 • Episode 14

0:00 | 56:50

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We’ve all experienced the tougher side of life these last couple of years, and we’ve all, on some level or another, been knocked around by it, whether it be political, pandemical, financical, romantical, or whatever. It’s about time we get back up from this unfortunate time. So, in this Episode 14 of Scattershot Symphony we offer a kind of Musical Guide to Recovery. It’s not exactly a twelve step process (actually, it comes atcha in fewer steps) but it is a process of regeneration through the application of music to our brains and souls. And if you’re one of the more fortunate ones that has gone through these last couple of years unscathed, you can still take the course and simply enjoy the the music and the fabulous performances of Julia Wade, Jenny Burton and The Jenny Burton Experience. Guaranteed to put a little bounce back into your step!

Scattershot Symphony is brought to you by Watchfire Music. Learn more at watchfiremusic.com

Scattershot Symphony #14

Get Back Up!

Welcome to:

Scattershot Symphony

The Music of Peter Link

(That’s me.)

People ask me, “Why “Symphony? You’re not a classical composer.” Well, Wikipedia defines “Symphony” as: an extended musical composition most often written by composers for orchestra – often presented in several movements.

And so, I bring you the music of a lifetime of composition – often presented in several movements. That’s the nature of these podcasts – a scattershot look at a lifetime of music …

So, strap on them headphones.

We’re 90% music with just a smattering of commentary.

So for god sakes,

(Crowd)

Turn it up!

This week being the fourteenth episode of this podcast, I prefer to let the music do the talkin’. However, if you need to know more about me, please visit Wikipedia.com – Peter Link.

This episode is entitled

“Get Back Up!”

If you’ve been knocked to the floor of late, whether it’s been from the pandemic, finances, romances, depressions or whatever, you can get back up.

But that‘s just not, an automatic. Rather, we all have to do something about it. Somehow, we each have to first turn around our thought. How do ya‘ do that?

What do you turn to, for help?

It could be a parent, a close friend, … for some, the Bible or the Koran, … for others, some form of mentor – a loved one, a guru of sorts, a shrink. What can they do for you? They can somehow inspire you. They can’t do it for you, but they can provide for you the will to carry on … the will … to Get Back Up.

For the struggling many, the missing ingredient is often Inspiration. The definition of inspiration is: “The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially, to do something creative.”

It lists, as synonyms:

Creativity, inventiveness, innovation, ingenuity, imagination

(A lot of “I” words.) That’s right. Ultimately, it all … comes down … to you.

The dictionary goes on to say, “Imagination is a sudden brilliant, creative, or timely idea.”

Used in a sentence, "… then, I had an inspiration."

So, along the way to that mental turn around, many of us seek inspiration from one of those outside sources.

We work with an additional source … music. For both Julia Wade and me, who run Watchfire music, it is our life work, our purpose: To provide inspiration through music. And, for me, in particular, it has been my cause célèbre now for decades. It started with a decision that I made to write a different kind of music than “I want you, I need you, I love you” songs. At the time I made that decision, I too, needed to get back up. I too, needed inspiration. And so, … I chose it.

OK, the first step in getting back up seems to me an easy one. It’s a simple task, really, but one that is often nearly impossible when we’re racked with depression. But it’s a start.

Before ya’ get up, … look up.

Lift Up Your Eyes

Performed by Jenny Burton

Music by Peter Link

Words from Isaiah 42, 43, 65 adapted by Peter Link

Let all the nations gather now

Let all the people come

The time won't stop for those who wait

The moment has begun

Take all your ill-begotten gain

And give it all away

Take all remembrance of your pain

And let it slip away

And behold

All the former things are passed away

In the twinkling of an eye

And behold

Now's the time to start anew

Hallelujah behold

Yes behold

Let the former things be cast away

And turn your gaze aside

Lift up your eyes on high

God is gonna wipe all the tears

From your eyes

Remember not the former things

Neither the things of old

Let go the sorrow from your heart

And let your life unfold

And behold

I will even make a way for you

As you journey through this world

Yes behold

Through the desert rivers run

Holy waters behold

Behold

This new world has its place for you

Just let the past go by

And lift up your eyes on high

Lift up your eyes on high

And see the glory of the coming of the lord

And behold God will make a way for you

And see the glory of the coming of the lord

Yes behold God will come

And see the glory of the coming of the lord

For you

I will make a brand new earth for you

For you for you in the springtime

Of your life

For you

I will remake heaven too

All i have i give to you

For you

I will create all things new for you

If only you

Lift up your eyes on high

Lift up your eyes

On high

Let all the nations come

You are the chosen one

Wipe all the tears away

Now is the judgment day

I will make

I will make all things new

All things new

I have a place for you

Let the past

Just let the past go by

Go by

And lift up your eyes

On high!

[Rap]

Yes, behold I will come

Like a chariot in a whirlwind

Like thunder on the mountain

Like the holy waters of the rivers running down

Through the wilderness of your lives

I will come in the clouds, in the bushes, in the brambles

In the back streets burnin' through the heavens

As I crack the sky

I will come to the ghettos and slums

Of the inner city tenements

To the bone dry drought of the dust bowl

To the coal mines

To the battlefields

To the foxhole

To the lost souls

If only you will lift up...

Lift up your eyes

Well, if that song don’t get us goin’, we’re in some deep waters. We need some further inspiration to drag us out of our doldrums. And sometimes that inspiration doesn't even need to come to you in the form of words. That’s the great thing about music. It doesn’t even need words to inspire. It is, in itself, inspiring. It is a language … of its own.

Julia Wade’s gonna explain this further and our dear old friend, Margaret Dorn, is gonna demonstrate.

A Language of Its Own

Performed by Julia Wade and Margaret Dorn

Music and Lyrics by Peter Link

Afrikaans

Mandarin

Portuguese

Bengali

Sundanese

Japanese

Arabic

Hindi

So many languages

So many tongues

So many people tryin'

To touch each other's lives

And missin' just the words to say

But music has a language of its own

And everybody hears it

And everybody understands

So may I introduce you

To my ol' friend Margaret

This lady can sing sing to the world

Sing it Margaret

She doesn't need words

To get right down to your soul

She doesn't need language

To pierce the heart

Cuz the universal language of music

Is a language of its own

And everybody knows what you're sayin'

And everybody knows how you feel

So sing to us of love Miss Margaret

Oh yeah ee

Yeah ee yeah

Yeah ee yeah ee yeah

Oh oooo yeah

Both

Aaah

Yes the universal language of music

Is a language of its own

And everybody knows what you're sayin'

And everybody knows how you feel

Let's talk.

Aaaahhh

Do dah do dah do dah do

Dah ee yah ee yah ee yah ee do dah day

Now give it just that classical touch

That makes me love ya' so much

And brings the tears to my eyes

Sing it to the world now, Margaret

Afrikans

Mandarin

Portugese

Bengali

Sundanese

Japanese

Arabic

Hindi

But the language of music

It really gets ya' goin'

Yes the universal language of music

Is a language of its own

Yes it do

Ooo ooo ooo

OK, Jenny, here we go. Take us to the next step.

Just Got to Sing

Performed by Jenny Burton

Music and Lyrics by Peter Link

Could it be my heart's on fire

Could it be the season

Could it be it's time to sing again

Living out my heart's desire

Giving me a reason

I thank you lord it's time to sing again

Cause I don't got time to wait one moment

I won't stop and delay what must be

I can't hold back I'm sorry but I'm here

And I just got to sing

Sing sing

I just got to sing

Celebrate the simplest of things

It don't matter what kind of things

Just celebrate the joy that life brings

Celebrate

Celebrate the good you receive

Celebrate the things you believe

Just celebrate the air that you breathe

Come celebrate

Celebrate

Sing

Sing sing

Let go and open your heart

Throw back your head and be glad

Grab on to the rhythm of life

Drop all your worries and ride it

Tune into the sound of the soul

Be one with the music that moves you

Rejoice now you're up on a roll

Rejoice and let it wash over you

Till it's part of you

I can feel my heart's on fire

I can't live without it

Yes it's time it's time to sing again

Something in me is so excited

Something's moved me beyond sensation

Something's got me beside myself with joy

So I got to sing

I just got to sing

I just got to

Something filled me with all this spirit

Something whispered my name

And called me

Something just lifted me up

And dropprd me here

And now I got to sing

I just got to sing

Celebrate the peace in your heart

And if your world is falling apart

Just find a speck of substance and start

To celebrate

It don't matter what's on the wing

Just throw your head back

Let the room ring

Cause living is reason enough to sing

So celebrate

I just got to sing

Celebrate the good you have done

What you've lost and what you have won

Just celebrate the warmth of the sun

Come celebrate

Celebrate

I just got to sing!

OK, so you’re not a singer. Maybe ya’ can’t even carry a tune. Not a problem. At least you have an imagination. Everybody has an imagination! Not everybody uses it, but most of us, especially the artistic types, live in it, most of the time.

In your imagination you can create your world just the way you want it. As it turns out, there are a lot of folks who believe that we create the world around us in our minds anyway, so what’d ya’ got to lose. Let your imagination go. Let ‘er rip!

John Lennon said it best, using the language of music and lyrics. I added a little rap to transmogrify and further satisfy.

And Jenny Burton and Darryl Tookes bring the light to the subject and each stand at your side endeavoring to lift you up and beyond.

Imagine

Performed by Jenny Burton with Darryl Tookes

Music and Lyrics by John Lennon

Rap by Peter Link

[Jenny]

Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

[Everyone]

Imagine all the people

Living for today

[Jenny]

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

[Backups]

Just imagine that

[Jenny]

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one

[Backups]

One

[Jenny]

(whispered) Imagine

[Rap]

[Jenny]

Imagine this

Imagine that

Everybody wearin' the same hat

[Darryl]

Imagine nations living all as one

[Jenny]

Everybody workin' in unison

[Darryl]

One people

One goal

One mind

One soul

Everybody eatin' from the same bowl

Everybody diggin' the same hole

[Jenny]

No masters

No slaves

No chiefs and no braves

Everybody learnin' just how to behave

[Darryl]

Every little thing under God's control

Nobody runnin' roughshod

[Everybody]

One God

[Jenny]

(whispered) Imagine

Imagine no possessions

[Darryl]

Imagine no possessions

[Jenny]

I wonder if you can

[Darryl]

I wonder if you can

[Jenny]

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one

[Darryl]

Livin' in sympathy

In unity

[Everyone]

One big happy family

[Darryl]

Annuity

Solidarity

Communion

[Everyone]

One

[Jenny]

You may say that I'm a dreamer

[Darryl]

That's right

[Jenny]

But I'm not the only one

[Darryl]

Imagination-wise

Good vibes

No tribes

Same sides

Besides everybody be pacified

Satisfied

[Jenny]

Dignified

[Darryl]

Refried and allied

[Everyone]

Transmogrified

[Darryl]

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

[Everyone]

Unified

Magnified

[Jenny]

Demystified inside

Purified

Sanctified

And simplified

[Darryl]

Every little thing under God's control

[Jenny]

Nobody runnin' roughshod

[Everyone]

One God

Imagine

[Jenny]

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one (Imagine everybody)

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one

Just imagine

Hey

[Everyone]

Just imagine

[Jenny]

One

[Everyone]

One

[Jenny]

One God

[Everyone]

One God

[Jenny]

One People

[Everyone]

One People

[Jenny]

One World

[Everyone]

One World

One

Back in the day, right around the time I made the switch to a more inspirational type of music creation, I was earning my daily bread by creating a lot of music and directing Industrial shows for Fortune 500 companies. Companies like Apple and Pfizer and General Motors would gather their sales force together once a year in some exotic place here in the US and do a 3 day meeting rallying the troops. I wrote theme songs for these meetings and the budgets were great.

Millions of dollars were spent on these

”in house” affairs. I built my studio, Westrax Recording Studios, in New York City, with these earnings and fed my family.

The budgets allowed me to work with the “best of the best” studio singers and musicians in the city. And it was New York, so they were the best in the world. I cranked out over 400 fully produced songs in that 15 year period of my life and became great friends with the fabulous talent that I worked with.

So when it came time to put the Jenny Burton Experience together, I was able to reach out to these wondrous people to be part of the 9 voice choir that backed Jenny and made up The Jenny Burton Experience. Those ten years of producing, writing for, and directing that group was one of the best musical experiences of my life.

JBX, as it was also called, was definitely an Inspirational group. That was the purpose of the group — to inspire our audience — and inspire we did. We sold out every Thursday night at one of NYC’s top clubs for nearly ten years and won every award imaginable and were the darlings of the critics.

People would come to me often after shows and say things like, “I’ve been to the show 20 times.” Or, “This was my Birthday wish, to be here tonight.” Or my favorite, “This is my church.” One critic wrote me, “I’m an atheist, but I’ll be back again and again” and he reviewed us year after year with rave reviews. We weren’t trying to be a religious experience, but we were an inspirational musical performance that just tore it up, night after night.

Jenny was an amazing star. One critic wrote, “Burton is a powerful presence. The lady commands the stage and effortlessly rips into her material with more gusto than a tornado!”

I’m going to do my best to take you back there now to the club, New York City, Don’t Tell Mama, Thursday night. Just a 3 song taster, live. The ten singers start in the dark in the aisles of the audience for the first number and then take the stage for the second, and then on to the third. So, let’s go back in time.

Hallelujah

Performed by The Jenny Burton Experience

Music and Lyrics by Peter Link

Arranged by Margaret Dorn

Let's start with a Hallelujah

Let's begin with a Hallelujah

Hallelujah

There is music in our lives

There is music in the air all around us

There's a spirit in our lives

And the music and the spirit are one

There is music in our lives

When the music is in your life

There is music in the air all around us

And you're feelin' so fine

There's a spirit in our lives

And the spirit goes over you

And the music and the spirit are one

And it touches your mind

There is music in our lives

In the rush of a Hallelujah

There is music in the air all around us

You begin to unwind

There's a spirit in our lives

And the hunger inside of you

And the music and the spirit are one

Is just but a mem'ry in time

Hallelujah

Don't It Feel Good

Performed by The Jenny Burton Experience

Music and Lyrics by Peter Link

Don'cha think about it

Don'cha try an' stop it

Don'cha try ta' top it

Just lay back an' feel the spirit

Feel it all around you

Girl you're gonna get it

Just lay back an' let it

Listen up cause you can hear it

Feel it in your body

Burnin' like a fire

Risin' higher an' higher

Don't it give you satisfaction

Don't it drive you crazy

Don't you feel like cryin'

Don't it get you flyin'

Can't you feel the spirit

Don't it feel good

Take a little more it makes you feel better

Don't it feel real good

Down in your body an' deep in your soul

Now it's comin' at cha

Feel a little shiver

Rushin' like a river

Don't ya' feel those good vibrations

Racin' through yer body

Pourin' through yer system

Girl you can't resist 'em

Sweepin' over you 'n'

Don't it feel good

Take a little more it makes you feel better

Don't it feel real good

It's gotcha movin' in the groove

Doin' that ol' rock n' roll

When the spirit is in your life

An' you're feelin' so good inside

When that feelin' comes over you

You don't got to work to be satisfied

You just got to lay back an' let it ride

Don't it feel good

Take a little more it makes you feel better

Don't it feel real good

Down in your body an' deep in your soul

Don't it feel good

We can give you more to make it feel better

Don't it feel real good

It's gotcha movin' in the groove

Doin' that ol' rock n' roll

Don't it feel good

Take a little more it makes you feel better

Don't it feel real good

Down in your body an' deep in your soul

Don't it feel good

We can give you more to make it feel better

Don't it feel real good

It's gotcha movin' in the groove

Doin' that ol' rock n' roll

On Broken Pieces

Performed by The Jenny Burton Experience

Music and Lyrics by Peter Link

Once life was a holiday

Once the world was mine

Once everything went my way

Once upon a time

Then nothing was good enough

When I had it all

Stuffed full of this empty stuff

I began the fall

When all of it shattered

I searched through the ruins of my life

Though broken and battered

At last I found a way (I found myself a way)

Now I can make it

I can make it through this long night of fire

Only with you in my life

If there's a mountain to climb

If there's a river to cross

I'll make it

On broken pieces

If danger is near

If there are trials ahead

I'll make it

On broken pieces

I'll do as you will

Lord I'll follow your lead

I pray that these hard times are over

Risin' up through the ashes Lord

I'll be holdin' on to you

I'm gonna make it

If I have to make it

On broken pieces

I'm gonna make it

If I have to make it

On broken...

Broken...

Broken pieces

When all of it shattered

I knelt before God with my life

For all that it mattered

I threw the past away

I threw it all away

Now I can make it

I can make it through this long night of fire

Only with you in my life

If there's a mountain to climb

If there's a river to cross

I'll make it

On broken pieces

With you in my life

I got a friend at my side

I'll make it

On broken pieces

I'll rest in your arms

Lord I'll gather my strength

The power of healing rolls over me

Risin' up through the ashes Lord

I'll be holding on to you

I'm gonna make it

If I have to make it

On broken pieces

I can make it

I can make it on broken pieces

Lord right now...

I can make it

I can make it on broken pieces

Lord right now...

I can make it

If there's a mountain to climb

A river to cross

I'll follow your lead

Whatever the cost

I'll make it

I can make it on broken pieces

Lord right now...

I can make it

If there's a battle to fight

A war to be won

A glory to gain

A race to be run

I'll make it

I can make it on broken pieces

Lord right now...

I'm gonna make it

If I have to make it

On broken pieces

Oh oh yeah

So, hopefully, this episode has helped you get back up — if ya’ needed it. If you’re still struggling, we’ll, it’s up to you. But keep listening. We’re givin’ it our best shot here. Just remember this:

You Got to Make Your Own Way

Performed by Jenny Burton

Music and Lyrics by Peter Link

Mama she warned me

"It won't be easy girl"

My mama she warned me

She said the walls could come tumblin' down one day

Mama was right yeah life can be hard sometimes

My mama she told me

That out on the street you're alone and you're on your own

That's what mama said

My mama said "Baby, listen to me now

You've got to make your own way

Baby, nobody gonna help ya now

You've got to make your own way"

That's what mama said

Yes I remember

Mama she warned me

I had a heart to break

Over and over

She would remind me of all of my past mistakes

Drivin' me crazy

She never let me be

Yeah mama was mama

She had a lifetime invested in me

That's what mama said

My mama said "Baby, use your head child

You've got to make your own way

Baby, this world ain't gonna do ya no favors

You've got to make your own way"

That's what mama said

You've got to make your own way

She always told me

You've got to make your own way

Uh-huh

You've got to make your own way

Ooh yes she did

You've got to make your own way

Every child's got to stand on his own

That's what mama said

You've got to make your own way

That's what mama said

Use your head

You've got to make your own way

I ain't gonna let ya down mama

I'm gonna show ya just what I'm made of

All that fussin' and fightin'

Gonna pay off someday

I'll show ya mama

Go on girl

You've got to make your own way

I'm gonna make my own way

That's right I am

I won't be takin' no wooden nickels neither

You can do it

You've got to make your own way

Yes I can

You've got to make your own way

Alright

I hear you mama

Oh yes

I've got to make my own way

In making your own way, whoever you can lean on, lean away. As John Lennon said, “we’re all in this together.” So we all should be there for you if we’re doin’ the right thing in this life. And if you’re a believer, God’s at your side as well. And, from what I hear, He’s there even if you’re not a believer. So between the people of the world, God, and Music, ya’ have a real chance to get back up.

Here’s our final thoughts for each of us, on our steps to recovery.

Wings of Music

Music and Lyrics by Peter Link

I will not build me wings

Of wax and feathers

I will not fly the daylight

In the heat of the sun

I need not design

A special chariot to the stars

For I can ride the wings of music

Yes I can ride the wings of music

And I can soar on a melody

And every time I fall

Oh how it picks me up again

It lifts me up and sets me free

Melody, carry me over the trees

Harmony, sustain me out across the seas

Dance out your rhythm

Oh so light on your feet

Spread your wings and find us a breeze

Then I will ride the wings of music

Straight up to the stars

As God awakens in me

And pours from my heart

Strain upon refrain

Sounding and sustaining,

Pounding and proclaiming

Almighty, let me soar and fly

Music, music open up the sky

[Interlude]

For I can ride the wings of music

And I can soar on a melody

And every time I fall

Oh how he picks me up again

He lifts me up and sets me free

It's God that strikes the strings

And as I ride the wings

He lifts and lets me soar

Soar and fly

Fly!

How I love to ride the wings

The wings

Of music

So there ya’ have it. Scattershot Symphony, Episode 14. Next? Episode 15 — The Magical Touch of Vocal Arranging, a deep dive into the wondrous work of arranger John Danny Madden. He’ll be here with us to discuss the fascinating creation of background arrangements for voices and choirs in music today. You’re gonna love this guy. He’s just a light. Don’t miss it.

Also, please rate and subscribe ...

A grateful nod goes to Jillian Armsbury, Margaret Dorn, John James and Kevin Osborne for their fabulous background work on Lift Up Your Eyes and Just Got To Sing, and all the wondrous singers who graced the stages with Jenny, during the ten years of The Jenny Burton Experience. Also, a special shout out to Gordon Imrie who co-produced The Jenny Burton Experience with me all those years. Couldn’t have done it without ya’!

A very special thanks also to Stuart Barefoot, our Associate Producer for all your invaluable knowledge and good vibes.

And a posthumous thanks to Ludwig Van Beethoven for your opening 4 bars.

Julia

(over playout music)

This podcast is presented with loving care by the staff at Watchfire Music. If you liked what you heard, we got lots more where that came from. In the meantime, you can find the songs you just heard on watchfiremusic.com. There you can purchase the singles or albums and have access to all the lyrics. Also, there you will find all previous podcasts and future scheduling.

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tell your friends and Stay tuned!