<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945</id><updated>2012-03-20T14:08:02.632-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Robert Burns' Songs</title><subtitle type='html'>If you are a fan of Scottish poet, Robert Burns, or even on a journey of discovery into what Burns has to offer, then this Blog is one for you to bookmark and follow. 

We look forward to having you with us on the journey of the creation, release and success of what will become a definitive collection of Burns' songs.</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>20</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-5167036432723038346</id><published>2011-02-08T05:08:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2011-02-08T05:09:33.657-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Back on track with Robert Burns Songs</title><content type='html'>&lt;div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"&gt;Good grief - it has been almost a month since I last blogged. We have had a lot happening - including the removal from our house of all our computers and hard drives plus the video camera. But that is no excuse!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We have movement on the Robert Burns Songs front in that we are doing a brand new version of "A Man's a Man". Christine has moved the verse into a minor key, revisting the major key for the chorus. It makes for a very edgy feel and really suits the lyrics. It will be interesting to see how the traditionalists respond to the slightly different tune and approach.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Burns himself was a great believer in trying new ideas and borrowing others' ideas when it came to lyrics and melodies, so we are following in his footsteps.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Watch this space for an excerpt of "A Man's a Man" once we have it down on "tape" - Christine is very excited about this new version and it will also translate very well live.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tomorrow!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;John&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-5167036432723038346?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/5167036432723038346/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2011/02/back-on-track-with-robert-burns-songs.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/5167036432723038346'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/5167036432723038346'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2011/02/back-on-track-with-robert-burns-songs.html' title='Back on track with Robert Burns Songs'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-6131432639319192440</id><published>2010-12-15T05:05:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-12-15T05:13:20.405-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Ae Fond Kiss Video</title><content type='html'>Here is another song from the album The Songs of Robert Burns in video format. It is Ae Fond Kiss. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Christine is singing with only light drones accompanying her and so the wonderful words, written by Robert Burns as one of his most famous love songs, are highlighted in this beautiful version:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;object width="480" height="385"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VaOYPcSPGl0?fs=1&amp;amp;hl=en_GB&amp;amp;rel=0&amp;amp;color1=0x5d1719&amp;amp;color2=0xcd311b"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VaOYPcSPGl0?fs=1&amp;amp;hl=en_GB&amp;amp;rel=0&amp;amp;color1=0x5d1719&amp;amp;color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-6131432639319192440?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/6131432639319192440/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/12/ae-fond-kiss-another-robert-burns-song.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/6131432639319192440'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/6131432639319192440'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/12/ae-fond-kiss-another-robert-burns-song.html' title='Ae Fond Kiss Video'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-1451442084464210711</id><published>2010-12-15T04:43:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-12-15T05:09:06.437-08:00</updated><title type='text'>My Love is Like a Red Red Rose Video</title><content type='html'>Here is a video for a song that will be on The Songs of Robert Burns album when it comes out early in 2011.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The song is called My Love is Like a Red Red Rose. It was recorded by Christine Sparks in her home studio and is the song with which she often finishes her live shows - enjoy :-)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;object width="485" height="295"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/E5nE3tep-p0?fs=1&amp;amp;hl=en_GB&amp;amp;rel=0&amp;amp;color1=0x5d1719&amp;amp;color2=0xcd311b"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/E5nE3tep-p0?fs=1&amp;amp;hl=en_GB&amp;amp;rel=0&amp;amp;color1=0x5d1719&amp;amp;color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="485" height="295"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-1451442084464210711?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/1451442084464210711/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/12/videos-for-robert-burns-songs.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/1451442084464210711'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/1451442084464210711'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/12/videos-for-robert-burns-songs.html' title='My Love is Like a Red Red Rose Video'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-3841589983369502278</id><published>2010-12-13T19:56:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-12-15T05:58:27.141-08:00</updated><title type='text'>My Love is like a Red Red Rose - Robert Burns Songs</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Wow - that week was very fast!! Christine was working on A Man's a Man when I wrote my last Blog - just to report that there is still ongoing pre-recording work happening and that another Burns classic,&amp;nbsp; Ye Banks And Braes O' Bonnie Doon, has made its way onto the recorder ahead of A Man's a Man.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana;"&gt;Ye Banks and Braes is, I believe, a very interesting song. The tune is very sweet and when sung with major chords, sounds more like a spring day tune of celebration than the bittersweet message contained in the words. Here are the words:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Ye banks and braes o' bonnie doon&lt;br /&gt;How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair?&lt;br /&gt;How can ye chant, ye little birds,&lt;br /&gt;And i'm sae weary, fu' o' care!&lt;br /&gt;Y'ell break my heart, ye warbling bird,&lt;br /&gt;That wantons through the flow'ring thorn&lt;br /&gt;Ye mind me o' departed joys,&lt;br /&gt;Departed, never to return.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Oft i have roved by bonnie doon&lt;br /&gt;To see the rose of woodbine twine;&lt;br /&gt;And ilka bird sand o' its luve,&lt;br /&gt;And fondly sae did i o'mine.&lt;br /&gt;We lightsome hearts i stretch'd my hand&lt;br /&gt;And pu'd a rosebud from the tree;&lt;br /&gt;But my fause lover stole the rose&lt;br /&gt;And left, and left the thorn wi' me&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;So true to the heart of the album "The Songs of Robert Burns", Christine has scored a very different piano part that goes deep to capture the feelings encapsulated within Burns' lyrics. A 12 string guitar part has been added to compliment the piano and to add the movement of the water to the stillness of the Banks and Braes. Still to be added are whistle and strings, including a beautiful counter melody, one&amp;nbsp;that everyone will recognise, in the last verse.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;I think that I will revisit all the other posts and add the lyrics of each song as appropriate. I hope to be adding some video clips soon as well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Oh yes, this post is called My Love is like a Red Red Rose. The reason is that I have today recreated the landing page for a free live video of Red Red Rose, recorded by Christine in our home. The link for the page is &lt;a href="http://www.myloveislikearedredrose.com/"&gt;http://www.myloveislikearedredrose.com/&lt;/a&gt; - here are the words:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="poem"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;O my Luve's like a red, red rose&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;That’s newly sprung in June;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;O my Luve's like the melodie&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;That’s sweetly play'd in tune.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;So deep in luve am I:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;And I will luve thee still, my dear,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Till a’ the seas gang dry:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;And the rocks melt wi’ the sun:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;I will luve thee still, my dear,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;While the sands o’ life shall run.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;And fare thee weel, my only Luve&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;And fare thee weel, a while!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;And I will come again, my Luve,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Tho’ it were ten thousand mile.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Red Red Rose will also be included on the album "The Songs of Robert Burns".&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;All for now.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="poem"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-3841589983369502278?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/3841589983369502278/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-love-is-like-red-red-rose-robert.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/3841589983369502278'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/3841589983369502278'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-love-is-like-red-red-rose-robert.html' title='My Love is like a Red Red Rose - Robert Burns Songs'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-3440910689998789796</id><published>2010-12-07T12:31:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-12-14T03:59:11.311-08:00</updated><title type='text'>A Man's a Man - a classic Robert Burns song</title><content type='html'>&lt;div style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Tonight is very cold in the West of Scotland&amp;nbsp; (-10c going down to -20c in some areas).&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;However, Christine is busy recording a brand new version of A Man's a Man as I write this blog. I do not yet know what instruments she is using, but I do know know that she wants to do something very different from the usual approach.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Christine feels that the words of Burn's classic song deserve a special treatment to align the music with the message conveyed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;The album, The Songs of Robert Burns will be all the stronger for the inclusion of A man's a Man - I look forward to reporting how the session went in my next Blog.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana;"&gt;Here are the lyrics:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Is there for honest Poverty &lt;br /&gt;That hings his head, an' a' that; &lt;br /&gt;The coward slave-we pass him by, &lt;br /&gt;We dare be poor for a' that! &lt;br /&gt;For a' that, an' a' that. &lt;br /&gt;Our toils obscure an' a' that, &lt;br /&gt;The rank is but the guinea's stamp, &lt;br /&gt;The Man's the gowd for a' that. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;What though on hamely fare we dine, &lt;br /&gt;Wear hoddin grey, an' a that; &lt;br /&gt;Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine; &lt;br /&gt;A Man's a Man for a' that: &lt;br /&gt;For a' that, and a' that, &lt;br /&gt;Their tinsel show, an' a' that; &lt;br /&gt;The honest man, tho' e'er sae poor, &lt;br /&gt;Is king o' men for a' that. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Ye see yon birkie, ca'd a lord, &lt;br /&gt;Wha struts, an' stares, an' a' that; &lt;br /&gt;Tho' hundreds worship at his word, &lt;br /&gt;He's but a coof for a' that: &lt;br /&gt;For a' that, an' a' that, &lt;br /&gt;His ribband, star, an' a' that: &lt;br /&gt;The man o' independent mind &lt;br /&gt;He looks an' laughs at a' that. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;A prince can mak a belted knight, &lt;br /&gt;A marquis, duke, an' a' that; &lt;br /&gt;But an honest man's abon his might, &lt;br /&gt;Gude faith, he maunna fa' that! &lt;br /&gt;For a' that, an' a' that, &lt;br /&gt;Their dignities an' a' that; &lt;br /&gt;The pith o' sense, an' pride o' worth, &lt;br /&gt;Are higher rank than a' that. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Then let us pray that come it may, &lt;br /&gt;(As come it will for a' that,) &lt;br /&gt;That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth, &lt;br /&gt;Shall bear the gree, an' a' that. &lt;br /&gt;For a' that, an' a' that, &lt;br /&gt;It's coming yet for a' that, &lt;br /&gt;That Man to Man, the world o'er, &lt;br /&gt;Shall brothers be for a' that. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-3440910689998789796?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/3440910689998789796/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/12/mans-man-classic-robert-burns-song.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/3440910689998789796'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/3440910689998789796'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/12/mans-man-classic-robert-burns-song.html' title='A Man&apos;s a Man - a classic Robert Burns song'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-1470726295991833244</id><published>2010-12-05T14:17:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-12-14T04:03:47.501-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Ca' the Yowes Tae the Knowes</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;So, another Robert Burns song has been recorded. Ca' The Yowes tae the Knowes is another beautiful ballad, this version being recorded with 6 and 12 string guitars. The album "The Songs of Robert Burns" by The Sensational Christine Sparks is now really starting to take shape.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana;"&gt;Christine recorded her guitar in a single take and then did the same with the vocals. We now need to put on the 12 string part and then either a whistle or a violin for the solo part.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana;"&gt;Tomorrow we will be speaking with harmonica player, Stuart Farquharson, to arrange for him to come over and put some harmonica parts down.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana;"&gt;I think we will be mastering the three songs recorded in our home based studio over the next couple of days, Parcel of Rogues, Aya Waukin O and Ca' the Yowes - three of Robert Burns very best songs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Chorus.-Ca' the yowes to the knowes, &lt;br /&gt;Ca' them where the heather grows, &lt;br /&gt;Ca' them where the burnie rowes, &lt;br /&gt;My bonie dearie &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;As I gaed down the water-side, &lt;br /&gt;There I met my shepherd lad: &lt;br /&gt;He row'd me sweetly in his plaid, &lt;br /&gt;And he ca'd me his dearie. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Ca' the yowes, &amp;amp;c. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Will ye gang down the water-side, &lt;br /&gt;And see the waves sae sweetly glide &lt;br /&gt;Beneath the hazels spreading wide, &lt;br /&gt;The moon it shines fu' clearly. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Ca' the yowes, &amp;amp;c. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Ye sall get gowns and ribbons meet, &lt;br /&gt;Cauf-leather shoon upon your feet, &lt;br /&gt;And in my arms ye'se lie and sleep, &lt;br /&gt;An' ye sall be my dearie. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Ca' the yowes, &amp;amp;c. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;If ye'll but stand to what ye've said, &lt;br /&gt;I'se gang wi' thee, my shepherd lad, &lt;br /&gt;And ye may row me in your plaid, &lt;br /&gt;And I sall be your dearie. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Ca' the yowes, &amp;amp;c. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;While waters wimple to the sea, &lt;br /&gt;While day blinks in the lift sae hie, &lt;br /&gt;Till clay-cauld death sall blin' my e'e, &lt;br /&gt;Ye sall be my dearie. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Ca' the yowes, &amp;amp;c.&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-1470726295991833244?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/1470726295991833244/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/12/ca-yowes-tae-knowes.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/1470726295991833244'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/1470726295991833244'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/12/ca-yowes-tae-knowes.html' title='Ca&apos; the Yowes Tae the Knowes'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-5219346030698963455</id><published>2010-12-01T16:56:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-12-01T16:56:32.225-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Sensational Christine Sparks sings Robert Burns Songs</title><content type='html'>The songs of Robert Burns featured heavily in the live set we did yesterday in Glasgow being also broadcast live on Celtic Music Radio. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Christine started with Ae Fond Kiss, and during our two short&amp;nbsp; also included, My love is like a red red rose, Bonnie Dundee, Parcel of Rogues and MacPherson's Rant.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Christine is struggling with the limited sounds that she has available on the keyboards we currently have. With this in mind we had a look at the new Roland RD-700NX. Phew!! Need to do some smart stuff to raise the £2K fast - we need these sounds and this quality!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tomorrow there will be more on new ideas for songs for the album.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Oh yes, Celtic Music Radio are going to make The Songs of Robert Burns their Album of the Week - well done Sensational Christine Sparks!!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-5219346030698963455?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/5219346030698963455/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/12/sensational-christine-sparks-sings.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/5219346030698963455'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/5219346030698963455'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/12/sensational-christine-sparks-sings.html' title='Sensational Christine Sparks sings Robert Burns Songs'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-1686962776724848909</id><published>2010-11-30T05:46:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-11-30T05:46:54.449-08:00</updated><title type='text'>More Robert Burns Songs</title><content type='html'>Christine was trying out some guitar for the album version of Ye Banks and Braes last night. I think that she has found new freedom in working on songs with the piano first - she is a classically trained musician, so she has a good musical knowledge on that instrument that goes beyond knowledge of chords. She finds the piano a very freeing instrument to work with. So I think that it will again be a "score it on the piano first" song. We may then have a look at working a guitar part to sing with - we shall see.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I had a go at recording a bass part for Aye Waukin O, but it simply detracts from the overall sound. Without the bass it sounds open and free - adding bass makes it sound like a band. To be fair, there is a fair amount of bass on Christine's guitar part anyway.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cant wait to get stuck into finishing of Duncan Gray - we are going to go to town on this one creating a great party sound - all alcohol free as well :-)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;OK Mr Robert Burns, more work on yer songs tomorrow. We have a live gig also going out on radio tonight, so we'll be doing three or four on there. More tomorrow.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-1686962776724848909?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/1686962776724848909/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/more-robert-burns-songs.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/1686962776724848909'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/1686962776724848909'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/more-robert-burns-songs.html' title='More Robert Burns Songs'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-8200383043863565836</id><published>2010-11-27T02:18:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-12-14T04:49:53.118-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Time Flies - Good Grief Its Saturday</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Wow!! This has been a very busy week. We have two more Robert Burns songs on the boil thanks to Christine spending another day chained to the digital recorder.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Duncan Gray is now a reality. We have the traditional version leading into the decidedly bawdy version - it is being presented in the ambiance of a room where people are partying and having a good time - great fun to record.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Aye Waukin O has turned into something very special. I hear another version with a duet between Eddie Reader and Christine and a harmonica solo by one of the world's finest harmonica players, Stuart Farquharson. We are going to do our own version for the album but will speak with Eddie about a special version via our good friend and Prince maestro, Rory Nicoll.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Plated several Robert Burns songs last night at our live gig in Dumbarton. Many thanks to Billy and Jim for booking us again - great night.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;All for now&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;John&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;ps Dont forget to check out Christine's Blog at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.thesongsofrobertburns.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;http://www.thesongsofrobertburns.com/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Duncan Gray Lyrics:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"&gt;Can ye play me Duncan Gray, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the girdin' o't; &lt;br /&gt;O'er the hills an' far awa, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, ha, the girdin' o't, &lt;br /&gt;Duncan came oor Meg to woo, &lt;br /&gt;Meg was nice an' wadna do, &lt;br /&gt;But like an ither puff'd an' blew &lt;br /&gt;At offer o' the girdin' o't. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Duncan, he cam here again, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the girdin' o't, &lt;br /&gt;A' was oot, an' Meg her lane, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, ha, the girdin' o't; &lt;br /&gt;He kiss'd her butt, he kiss'd her ben, &lt;br /&gt;He bang'd a thing against her wame; &lt;br /&gt;But, troth, I noo forget its name, &lt;br /&gt;But, I trow, she gat the girdin' o't. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. She took him tae the cellar then, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the girdin' o't, &lt;br /&gt;To see gif he could do't again, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, ha, the girdin' o't, &lt;br /&gt;He kiss'd her ance, he kiss'd her twice, &lt;br /&gt;An' by the by he kiss'd her thrice &lt;br /&gt;Till deil a mair the thing wad rise &lt;br /&gt;To gie her the lang girdin' o't. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;4. But Duncan took her to his wife, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the girdin' o't, &lt;br /&gt;To be the comfort o' his life, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, ha, the girdin' o't, &lt;br /&gt;An' noo she scauls baith night an' day, &lt;br /&gt;Except when Duncan's at the play, &lt;br /&gt;An' that's as seldom as he may, &lt;br /&gt;He's weary o' the girdin' o't. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;********************&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"&gt;Duncan Gray cam' here to woo, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the wooing o't, &lt;br /&gt;On blythe Yule-night when we were fou, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the wooing o't, &lt;br /&gt;Maggie coost her head fu' heigh, &lt;br /&gt;Look'd asklent and unco skeigh, &lt;br /&gt;Gart poor Duncan stand abeigh; &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the wooing o't. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Duncan fleech'd and Duncan pray'd; &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the wooing o't, &lt;br /&gt;Meg was deaf as Ailsa Craig, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the wooing o't: &lt;br /&gt;Duncan sigh'd baith out and in, &lt;br /&gt;Grat his e'en baith blear't an' blin', &lt;br /&gt;Spak o' lowpin o'er a linn; &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the wooing o't. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. Time and Chance are but a tide, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the wooing o't, &lt;br /&gt;Slighted love is sair to bide, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the wooing o't: &lt;br /&gt;Shall I like a fool, quoth he, &lt;br /&gt;For a haughty hizzie die? &lt;br /&gt;She may gae to-France for me! &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the wooing o't. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;4. How it comes let doctors tell, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the wooing o't; &lt;br /&gt;Meg grew sick, as he grew hale, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the wooing o't. &lt;br /&gt;Something in her bosom wrings, &lt;br /&gt;For relief a sigh she brings: &lt;br /&gt;And oh! her een they spak sic things! &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the wooing o't. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;5. Duncan was a lad o' grace, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the wooing o't: &lt;br /&gt;Maggie's was a piteous case, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the wooing o't: &lt;br /&gt;Duncan could na be her death, &lt;br /&gt;Swelling Pity smoor'd his wrath; &lt;br /&gt;Now they're crouse and canty baith, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the wooing o't. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;********************&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"&gt;Weary fa' you, Duncan Gray! &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the girdin o't! &lt;br /&gt;Wae gae by you, Duncan Gray! &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the girdin o't! &lt;br /&gt;When a' the lave gae to their play, &lt;br /&gt;Then I maun sit the lee-lang day, &lt;br /&gt;And jeeg the cradle wi my tae, &lt;br /&gt;And a' for the girdin o't! &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Bonie was the lammas moon, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the girdin o't! &lt;br /&gt;Glow'rin a'the hills, aboon, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the girdin o't! &lt;br /&gt;The girdin brak, the beast cam down, &lt;br /&gt;I tint my curch and baith my shoon, &lt;br /&gt;And, Duncan, ye're an unco loun- &lt;br /&gt;Wae on the bad girdin o't! &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. But, Duncan, gin ye'll keep your aith, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the girdin o't! &lt;br /&gt;I'se bless you wi my hindmost breath, &lt;br /&gt;Ha, ha, the girdin o't! &lt;br /&gt;Duncan, gin ye'll keep your aith, &lt;br /&gt;The beast again can bear us baith, &lt;br /&gt;And auld Mess John will mend the skaith, &lt;br /&gt;And clout the bad girdin o't. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.11NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNzc4MDkwMTM*NjQmcHQ9MTI3NzgwOTAxNTc*OCZwPTI3MDgxJmQ9cGxheWVyX2ZpcnN*X2dlbiZnPTEmb2Y9MA==.gif" style="height: 0px; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;" width="0" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-8200383043863565836?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/8200383043863565836/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/time-flies-good-grief-its-saturday.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/8200383043863565836'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/8200383043863565836'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/time-flies-good-grief-its-saturday.html' title='Time Flies - Good Grief Its Saturday'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-1320409565348466613</id><published>2010-11-23T05:04:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-12-14T04:43:55.260-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Today is the day for Aye Waukin O</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Christine is on the piano, having worked out her guitar part, coming up with ideas for Aye Waukin O - another beautiful example of the songs of Robert Burns. The first parts are due to be recorded tonight. Christine is better to be able to do it when the mood is right - but hey, emotion comes from motion, right, so putting the plan in place is a good first step.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;We spoke with Alan Grant yesterday - a very nice man who seems to be connected to everyone :-) We are speaking with Alan to see how we can help each other in what we are aiming to achieve.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Going to be getting a few instrumentalists together soon - or maybe work with each one independently&amp;nbsp;- not sure yet. Want to start getting a few sounds down as we move forward with the Robert Burns' songs project rather than wait until we have got all the raw tracks down. Who knows, new ideas may flow from bringing in other musicians.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Must keep the stripped back sound though - no clutter - space for the voice - space for the words - just raw and pure emotion - just like Robert Burns.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Aye Waukin O Lyrics:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Summer's a pleasant time&lt;br /&gt;Flowers of every colour&lt;br /&gt;The water runs o'er the heugh&lt;br /&gt;And I long for my true lover&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Chorus:&lt;br /&gt;Aye waukin-O&lt;br /&gt;Waukin still and weary&lt;br /&gt;Sleep I can get nane&lt;br /&gt;For thinking of my dearie&lt;br /&gt;Ay waukin, O&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;When I sleep I dream&lt;br /&gt;When I wake I'm eerie&lt;br /&gt;Sleep I can get nane&lt;br /&gt;For thinking of my dearie&lt;br /&gt;Aye waukin-O ...&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Lonely night comes on&lt;br /&gt;A' the lave are sleepin'&lt;br /&gt;I think on my bonnie lad&lt;br /&gt;And blur my eyes wi' weepin'&lt;br /&gt;Aye waukin-O... &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-1320409565348466613?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/1320409565348466613/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/today-is-day-for-aye-waukin-o.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/1320409565348466613'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/1320409565348466613'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/today-is-day-for-aye-waukin-o.html' title='Today is the day for Aye Waukin O'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-5717410371747904600</id><published>2010-11-21T09:06:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-12-14T04:33:10.759-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Robert Burns at the Doubletree Dunblane Hydro</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Last night's live gig went well - the Dunblane Hydro really is a lovely venue now that it has been refurbished - burning log fire and Victorian splendour.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;We were billed as The Sensational Christine Sparks Show and started with Burns' Ae Fond Kiss. Later we played A Man's a Man and My Love is Like a Red Red Rose. In front of a burning log fire with a very attentive audience,Red Red Rose is the perfect song on which to end.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;I am really looking forward to the release of the Songs of Robert Burns album - his songs go down really well wherever we play them,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;We have a goal to record another three in the coming week.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Till tomorrow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;John&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-5717410371747904600?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/5717410371747904600/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/robert-burns-at-doubletree-dunblane.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/5717410371747904600'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/5717410371747904600'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/robert-burns-at-doubletree-dunblane.html' title='Robert Burns at the Doubletree Dunblane Hydro'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-2570328561913321471</id><published>2010-11-18T18:03:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-11-18T18:03:45.006-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Robert Burns Songs in "Song and Spirit Seminars"</title><content type='html'>As well as recording the songs for The Songs of Robert Burns album, we are busy conceptualising our new keynote talks and seminars called "Song and Spirit Seminars" - designed to help people use acoustic song and music to access their true spirit and live with enthusiasm and passion to become all they can be. Will deal with personal growth, inspiration and business growth. The seminars will be delivered in Scotland first and eventually worldwide. Already booked for a major event in the US next year. Exciting times!! &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Robert Burns songs will feature in the seminars because of their embedded passion. We will get more of an idea which ones as we record them. Certainly, songs like Red Red Rose and Ae Fond Kiss are likely contenders.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Till tomorrow - John&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-2570328561913321471?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/2570328561913321471/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/robert-burns-songs-in-song-and-spirit.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/2570328561913321471'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/2570328561913321471'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/robert-burns-songs-in-song-and-spirit.html' title='Robert Burns Songs in &quot;Song and Spirit Seminars&quot;'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-5750693010435795984</id><published>2010-11-16T05:46:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-11-16T05:46:18.343-08:00</updated><title type='text'>The Songs of Robert Burns Playlist</title><content type='html'>Here are the songs from the album "The Songs of Robert Burns". The list is not necessarily complete, so if you have any ideas, please do not hesitate to let us know on here.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: &amp;quot;Arial&amp;quot;, &amp;quot;sans-serif&amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;"&gt;Ca’ the yowes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: &amp;quot;Arial&amp;quot;, &amp;quot;sans-serif&amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;"&gt;Dainty &lt;place w:st="on"&gt;&lt;city w:st="on"&gt;davie&lt;/city&gt;&lt;/place&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: &amp;quot;Arial&amp;quot;, &amp;quot;sans-serif&amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;"&gt;Duncan Gray&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: &amp;quot;Arial&amp;quot;, &amp;quot;sans-serif&amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;"&gt;It was a’ fur oor rightful king&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: &amp;quot;Arial&amp;quot;, &amp;quot;sans-serif&amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;"&gt;John Anderson my Jo&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: &amp;quot;Arial&amp;quot;, &amp;quot;sans-serif&amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;"&gt;Leezy Lindsay&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: &amp;quot;Arial&amp;quot;, &amp;quot;sans-serif&amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;"&gt;Rantin Rovin Robin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: &amp;quot;Arial&amp;quot;, &amp;quot;sans-serif&amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;"&gt;Rattlin Rorin Willie&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: &amp;quot;Arial&amp;quot;, &amp;quot;sans-serif&amp;quot;; font-size: 10pt;"&gt;Such a parcel o rogues&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Christine is doing another session this afternoon and this evening. Can't wait!!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-5750693010435795984?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/5750693010435795984/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/songs-of-robert-burns-playlist.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/5750693010435795984'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/5750693010435795984'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/songs-of-robert-burns-playlist.html' title='The Songs of Robert Burns Playlist'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-775242002749642663</id><published>2010-11-15T16:06:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-12-14T04:30:56.487-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Parcel of Rogues - WOW!!</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;So - the piano part was laid down and then Christine spent all of Sunday creating a superb vocal. She recorded a really excellent version - very accomplished - but then had a sneaking feeling that she was too attached to the "good technique" she had used. She wanted a really authentic "woman who was there when the song was written" vibe from her vocal. Something earthy and of the time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;So despite having sung Parcel of Rogues for around six hours, she powered up the system again and laid down an fabulous version.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;So, The Songs of Robert Burns album is on the way. We now have to decide whether to keep the track simple or to add more instruments. Will let you know what we decide :-)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Till tomorrow.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;John&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Parcelof Rogues Lyrics:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Fareweel to a' our Scottish fame,&lt;br /&gt;Fareweel our ancient glory;&lt;br /&gt;Fareweel ev'n to the Scottish name,&lt;br /&gt;Sae fam'd in martial story.&lt;br /&gt;Now Sark rins over Solway sands,&lt;br /&gt;An' Tweed rins to the ocean,&lt;br /&gt;To mark where England's province stands-&lt;br /&gt;Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;What force or guile could not subdue,&lt;br /&gt;Thro' many warlike ages,&lt;br /&gt;Is wrought now by a coward few,&lt;br /&gt;For hireling traitor's wages.&lt;br /&gt;The English steel we could disdain,&lt;br /&gt;Secure in valour's station;&lt;br /&gt;But English gold has been our bane-&lt;br /&gt;Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;O would, or I had seen the day&lt;br /&gt;That Treason thus could sell us,&lt;br /&gt;My auld grey head had lien in clay,&lt;br /&gt;Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace!&lt;br /&gt;But pith and power, till my last hour,&lt;br /&gt;I'll mak this declaration;&lt;br /&gt;We're bought and sold for English gold-&lt;br /&gt;Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-775242002749642663?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/775242002749642663/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/parcel-of-rogues-wow.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/775242002749642663'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/775242002749642663'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/parcel-of-rogues-wow.html' title='Parcel of Rogues - WOW!!'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-1607139494584304805</id><published>2010-11-14T05:41:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-12-14T04:27:31.697-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Live Music with Robert Burns Songs</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;We played at a local venue last night to around 50 people. The songs they liked the best were the songs of Robert Burns. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;We played Burns' "Ae Fond Kiss" - this is the opening number with The Sensational Christine Sparks :-) on strings and vocal.Christine uses the strings&amp;nbsp;as bagpipe style drones - the effect is very powerful.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;We do a selection of songs from the "Songs from a Scottish Heart" album including the Burns song "My Love is Like a Red Red Rose".&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;We always finish with My Love is Like a Red Red Rose - just Christine's voice and dead silence from the audience - its is amazing to be part of it. I have to have all the lights on red to add to the feeling :-)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Caledonia went down a storm as well - we hit it on the button and the sound was just right. Again, you could have heard a pin drop and you could see the moist eyes reflecting from the stage lights.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;As I write this, so I can hear |Christine putting down a piano part for Parcel of Rogues - piano tuned and sounding great - Christine's chord are stunning. Cant wait to do my bit!!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Sunny here, so I am of out to immerse myself in the Scottish countryside - more later.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Best wishes from Scotland&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;John&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-1607139494584304805?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/1607139494584304805/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/live-music-with-robert-burns-songs.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/1607139494584304805'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/1607139494584304805'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/live-music-with-robert-burns-songs.html' title='Live Music with Robert Burns Songs'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-6001566933864747685</id><published>2010-11-12T19:26:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-12-14T04:14:28.448-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Ae Fond Kiss - Robert Burns Songs</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Have now created the landing and thank you pages for the Ae Fond Kiss video - another video being given free of charge as an introductory offer for the album,. This song is being re-recorded especially for the "The Songs of Robert Burns" album.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;It is likely that we will also do a parrallel landing page leading to a separate sales page on &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.robertburnssongs.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;http://www.robertburnssongs.com/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;as this search term actually shows more hits per month than The Songs of Robert Burns search term.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;We had the piano retuned today ready for the first session of the album. Will be setting up the mikes and recorder tomorrow so that Christine may record when the right moment arrives.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Till tomorrow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;John&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ae Fond Kiss lyrics:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Ae fond kiss, and then we sever; &lt;br /&gt;Ae fareweel, alas, for ever! &lt;br /&gt;Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee, &lt;br /&gt;Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Who shall say that Fortune grieves him, &lt;br /&gt;While the star of hope she leaves him? &lt;br /&gt;Me, nae cheerful twinkle lights me; &lt;br /&gt;Dark despair around benights me.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;I'll ne'er blame my partial fancy, &lt;br /&gt;Naething could resist my Nancy: &lt;br /&gt;But to see her was to love her; &lt;br /&gt;Love but her, and love for ever.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Had we never lov'd sae kindly, &lt;br /&gt;Had we never lov'd sae blindly, &lt;br /&gt;Never met-or never parted, &lt;br /&gt;We had ne'er been broken-hearted. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Fare-thee-weel, thou first and fairest! &lt;br /&gt;Fare-thee-weel, thou best and dearest! &lt;br /&gt;Thine be ilka joy and treasure, &lt;br /&gt;Peace, Enjoyment, Love and Pleasure!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ae fond kiss, and then we sever! &lt;br /&gt;Ae fareweeli alas, for ever! &lt;br /&gt;Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee, &lt;br /&gt;Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-6001566933864747685?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/6001566933864747685/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/ae-fond-kiss-pages.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/6001566933864747685'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/6001566933864747685'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/ae-fond-kiss-pages.html' title='Ae Fond Kiss - Robert Burns Songs'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-30561879482701959</id><published>2010-11-11T10:43:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-11-11T10:43:21.716-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Thank you page</title><content type='html'>Managed to find our copy of My Love is Like a Red Red Rose on one of our Web sites. I thought I had uploaded it to Google, but although there are excerpts of the song in several of the showreels, I had not uploaded the whole song.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sooo - have almost finished the "thankyou" page where people can download their free copy and also see it online via an embedded video.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Sensational Christine Sparks and the Magnificent Robert Burns are pictured side by side - just their heads, looking, for all the world to see, like a couple. Just as well he lived when he lived is what I say!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Anyway, will attempt to finish the thankyou page tonight - and more tomorrow.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Best wishes&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;John&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-30561879482701959?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/30561879482701959/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/thank-you-page.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/30561879482701959'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/30561879482701959'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/thank-you-page.html' title='Thank you page'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-4693960667841129574</id><published>2010-11-10T15:50:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-11-10T15:50:44.717-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Day Three</title><content type='html'>Nearly the end of another long day - however, a few more hours to go working on one of the other Web pages.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We tried to organise another keyboard today, but no luck. We need a great natural piano sound. Made the decision to get the piano tuner out to retune our "real" piano - fingers crossed it records well!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Have been speaking to the CD duplication people about available formats for our The Songs of Robert Burns CD. As always there are complex choices - always involving choices about quality and money. I think we need to get closer to the release date to see how the songs feel. I have a feeling there will be quite a story to tell about why we have chosen to represent Rodert Burn's words in the specific ways we will use in Christine's arrangements of the songs.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;OK - time to get coding!! More tomorrow.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;John&lt;br /&gt;Management and Production&lt;br /&gt;The Sensational Christine Sparks&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-4693960667841129574?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/4693960667841129574/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/day-three.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/4693960667841129574'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/4693960667841129574'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/day-three.html' title='Day Three'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-2835821716917491020</id><published>2010-11-09T06:23:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-11-09T06:31:00.557-08:00</updated><title type='text'>March towards release</title><content type='html'>Sooo - we now have the landing page ready for the release of The Songs of Robert Burns album. The landing page is on www.myloveislikearedredrose.com although not set up with video etc yet. Will have landing pages for all the songs all leading to the main page for the album.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Exciting news is that Christine has worked out the arrangement for "Parcel of Rogues" - stunning version - very different from every other version. I'll let Christine explain the context and arrangement on her blog at &lt;a href="http://thesongsofrobertburns.blogspot.com/"&gt;http://thesongsofrobertburns.blogspot.com/&lt;/a&gt; .&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We have extended the "total connection" metaphor beyond the words and music and wonderful network of friends we are building on Facebook and Christine now has a tiny but beautiful Netbook designed by Karim Rashid + a mobile broadband dongle. This means she is no longer tied by her faithful but brick like Dell laptop that has no battery. I am typing this on said netbook having just set up Facebook, Skype and wireless etc.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;More tomorrow. Hope to see some friends here soon. Where are the artists and photographers - its ok Darren, you the man!!! This is a very special project.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tm then - John&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-2835821716917491020?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/2835821716917491020/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/march-towards-release.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/2835821716917491020'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/2835821716917491020'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/march-towards-release.html' title='March towards release'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86123921183319945.post-3155404802383015316</id><published>2010-11-07T16:01:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-11-07T16:55:50.323-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Robert Burns' Songs - The Technical Stuff</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;This is the place where we will be featuring the story of The Songs of Robert Burns - the soon to be released album from The Sensational Christine Sparks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;I am Christine's fiance and backing musician/vocalist, as well as being responsible for our Internet Marketing campaign, stage production and co-studio production with Christine.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;If you would like the in-depth story behind the spiritual connection between Christine and Robert Burns' songs, plus details of Christine's journey in creating her new vehicle for Burns' timeless classics, then head on over to Christine's blog at &lt;a href="http://thesongsofrobertburns.blogspot.com" target="new"&gt;http://thesongsofrobertburns.blogspot.com/&lt;/a&gt; .&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;We are purchasing a growing portfolio of domains, and working with Tracy Repchuk, Debbie Allen and Marie O'Riordan - Power of 3 - to create a cutting edge marketing campaign. My job is to take all the commercial pressure off Christine to allow her the freedom to create a masterpiece.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;Here are some words from guru to the stars, Watt Nicoll - &lt;a href="http://www.wattnicoll.co.uk/" target="new"&gt;http://www.wattnicoll.co.uk/&lt;/a&gt; - who works with top celebrities such as David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Chris Bonnington:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;em&gt;"Christine has the quality of voice that Burns' words deserve. Both are masters of exposing raw, natural emotion, creating timeless masterpieces. I have shared Christine's voice with a number of people who are aware of perfection in the human voice, and all agree that Christine is as good as it gets."&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;So, watch this space for news of the development of the album, latest media coverage and the latest ideas on pictures, packaging and production. We will even put up links to some demos as they are recorded.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;I would love your feedback - it could have a very real impact on aspects of the final "product".&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;More next week.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;Best wishes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;John&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/86123921183319945-3155404802383015316?l=robertburnssongs.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/feeds/3155404802383015316/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/robert-burns-songs-technical-stuff.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/3155404802383015316'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/86123921183319945/posts/default/3155404802383015316'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://robertburnssongs.blogspot.com/2010/11/robert-burns-songs-technical-stuff.html' title='Robert Burns&apos; Songs - The Technical Stuff'/><author><name>John Sparks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/15996378413323200931</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hMaKnZRlmU0/TNc61YLPQaI/AAAAAAAAABk/e2T6lJimGPM/S220/john.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
