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 31: Goin' Home Part Two
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
We'd love to hear from you! Please send us a Text Message!
I woke up one morning and realized that my past, on Planet Earth, was probably longer than my future – that there was more time that lay behind than what lies ahead. But then again, I believe deeply in life eternal. So, what’s to worry?
But … Just what is it that goes on? What stays behind? Where do I go from here? Heaven knows ...
This one thing I do know, however: The purpose of that album was to open our eyes to the timelessness of our future. After all, isn’t that what the basis of Heaven is all about? Moving on. No endings – only new beginnings? This is Part Two of a two part series.
Theater of the Imagination is presented by Watchfire Music watchfiremusic.com
Welcome to Scatter Shot Symphony, the music of Peter Link. That's me. Hey y'all. This week being the 31st episode of this podcast, I prefer to let the music do the talking. However, if you need to know more about me, please visit Wikipedia.com. This episode is entitled Goin' Home on Heaven and Beyond. Part two. Let us continue. And continue. And continue. This project could not be complete without this next song. It was written late in the game when I realized that I needed to better balance the present with the future and face the realities of my own transition. Though this song is dedicated to Julia, my wife. As positive as I am about moving on, as good as I feel about eternal life. As resolute as I am about the next chapter, let's face it. Leaving this planet, leaving this incredible experience that I've had, leaving the music, the laughs, the triumphs, the birds, the passion, the friends, Agadas, and chocolate. The hopes, the miracles. Leaving what could have been. Yes, the one thing that I fear is missing all the years. When things come to an end. That is because Allah is truth. He gives life to the dead, and has power over all things.
unknownThe Quran.
SPEAKER_01I've always said that the real star of the Goin' Home C D is the choir. They are, without a doubt, the driving force behind most every song, and of course, a very central force in most gospel music. Here I'm fortunate to be able to work with some of the best vocalists on the planet. Angela Clemens, Margaret Dorne, Vanessa Thomas, Jenny Burton, Julia Wade, Catherine Russell, Keith Flewett, Daryl Toops, John James, and Kevin Osborne. If you know anything about the great studio singers in New York City in the last four decades, you know that these folks were a big part of the cream of the crop. Living in New York City offers me this real possibility every time I compose a new song. They are a songwriter's dream. And it's in this next climactic moment of the album that they really get a chance to show their stuff. The session that day of recording, working with this group of hugely talented people, was one I shall always remember for what they each brought to the music. Also, my session with trumpeter Barry Danillian was an absolute joy. A visit from Louis Armstrong and Gabriel and all them horn-blown folks up there behind them pearly gates. When given the choice back in the third grade, I opted for the trumpet to play in the school band. It was never mastered, but proudly carried back and forth to the school for several years, even when we did not have band practice. So to work with this master, Barry Danellian, in the studio was a childhood dream come true. This song for me has it all. The positivity, the hope, the drive, the divine energies, and the apocalyptic imagery. It was simply one of my favorite songs to explore and develop in my life. Enjoy. Acquire. Let's go. E. E. Cummings. Another. Death will be a great relief. No more interviews with Catherine Hepburn. Yet another. Death is no more than passing from one room into another. There's a difference for me, you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see Helen Keller. One more. Life is a great sunrise. I do not see why death should not be an even greater one. Vladimir Novokov. I had the great pleasure of producing Tom Tipton's best of CD several years ago. On it, we decided to add four new songs to his treasure trove of songs from his past albums. And this next song was one of them. Another session I'll never forget is the vocal session that I had with Tom, when, at the age of seventy-six, he came into my studio and sang this song to my orchestration. That day, Tom leapt far beyond my imagination in his artistry, and totally captured the joys and fears and sorrows of a man facing the end of his life. It is in every way our title song.
SPEAKER_02She's expecting me father's waiting to Lather there not the thing. I knew I going, I going.
SPEAKER_01Somerset Mall. You all know by now that two of my favorite singers in life are Julia Wade and Jenny Burton. It seems only right to have them lead us through this next song. First Julia, then Jenny. So here is a song known by people all over the world. It seemed only right to preface and set this song high in the clouds, on Heaven's Highway, as the saints from all religions march by, arm in arm, in oneness. Why not an apocalyptic New Orleans style parade, as our Channel 7 girl on the spot, Julia, reports this mind-blowing event? Stand with her. Wave your flags. Pick out your favorite saints and blow them a kiss or two. If you're lucky, you might even get an autograph. This is a WHVN News Flash.
unknownNews Flash.
SPEAKER_01Just in, several reports from commercial airline pilots of sightings of a strange appearance in the sky high above Jerusalem. None of this has been substantiated as yet, but there was one report of some kind of parade going on at a high-altitude coordinate that one of the pilots identified as Heaven's Highway. Well, we'll get back to you on this one when we have more concrete info from eyewitnesses on the scene. In the meantime, NASA reports there to be no relation between.
SPEAKER_05Oh when the space goes marching Oh Lord, I want to be in the number When the space called Marching And when the sun begins to shine When the sun begins to shine Al Lord I want to be the space called the roll and hold.
SPEAKER_01Guaranteed to provide a little revelation. And to put a smile on your face and a tear in your eye. It's called Famous Last Words. Ludwig von Beethoven, eighteenth century German composer, having just been given last right. Friends, applaud. The comedy is over. Alexander Gramville. So little done. So much to do. And now, oh priest, I take my leave of you. All the elements of being are transitory. Work out your salvation with intelligence. Good night, my darling. I'll see you in the morning. Emily Dickinson, nineteenth century poet. I must go in. The fog is rising. Thomas Edison, inventor. It's very beautiful over there. Edmund Gwen, English stage actor. James Madison, US President. After his niece. If anything was wrong. Nothing more than a change of mind. And lastly, my all-time favorite. Stephen Johnny Arranging away to end the CD of joyful celebration. When I first heard Julie Gold's heartbreakingly beautiful song, I just couldn't resist adding it to this PM to life. And I especially love her lyric. I can tell you're out there staring through my pain. Is it P-A-I-N or window pain? I'll let you decide. It's a gorgeous and truly original melody that I haven't been able to get out of my consciousness for years now. Not that I've tried. Also, how grand it is to have a wife who can sing so hauntingly such a farewell. Julia Wade. Come to me as a bird.
SPEAKER_06Oh I can't I will take the church and down to you if you come to me as a word. Come to me as a food. Now the season has changed. Now the man is served by you. If you come to me as a bird. Come to me as a bird. I will know you. If you come to me as a bird. Staring through my way. Come to me as a bird, keeper of the sky. How I don't go with you when I see you. Once I give you my heart, now I give you my word. I will know you. If you come to me as come to me as a word. Come to me as a word. I will know you. If you come to me as Come to me as a word Come to me as a word, I shall know you. If you come to me as well, come to me.
SPEAKER_01The first thing which I can record concerning myself is that I was born. These are wonderful words. This life to which neither time nor eternity can bring diminution. This everlasting living soul began. My mind loses itself in these rotumaries. And lastly, a posthumous thanks to Ludwig von Beethoven for your opening four bars.
SPEAKER_00This 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 forward slash podcast. 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.