Slips Away

In 2010, I returned to church attendance after a lengthy absence. The pastor and I became friends, and when he learned that I had a musical background, he involved me on the church worship team as a keyboard player and background vocalist. Being creative, I soon began writing songs. This led me down a path I had never expected to go. Over the course of the next six years, I would lead four bands, perform at a variety of locations, record and release six albums of original music., make some amazing friendships and memories -- then walk away and go in a different direction.

It has been a year and a half since I stopped performing, and it has taken me this long to assess these past years. After a year of contemplation, I find myself in a place of peace. Because of that, I want to share some of my cherished memories, and some of the lessons I learned, too.

One of the things I did while in the grip of music was to create and put together an outdoor concert event called Life at the Beach Music. This was an all-day outdoor musical event featuring seven groups that I was connected to in some way. In order to advertise the event, I called up an old editor of mine, from Off-Centre magazine, and he published an interview I did with one of the performing bands. That band included my friend, Dan Marcelino, and this year I have many times thought of something he said in that interview. He'd been in other bands, and one group fell apart just as they were finally preparing to go on the road. The gist of his comment was how much it sucked that after all the time they put in together, things ended just when they were about to really start. I can relate.

I recorded my first album at Dan Marcelino's studio. That was in 2013, when I was still singing backup in Joe's worship band, and didn't yet have my own band. So, on this album, identity, I play all the piano parts and do all the vocals, and also play acoustic guitar on two songs (but so poorly that he plays other guitar over top lol). Chris Shriek and I recorded one song Warm Like the Sun independently of the album, and Chris plays lead guitar on Save the Children. Joe Harrison plays acoustic guitar on Little Child of Mine. Dan plays everything else. Drums, bass, guitars, you name it -- it's a ten track album, and Dan is the man!

One of the songs, Slips Away, is a tune I wrote late one night, alone in the sanctuary of the church. I had all the lights turned off with the exception of the cross which glowed from the top of the stage, and the building was this heavy, expectant kind of silent. Moody and atmospheric, the moment was song writing perfection. I sat down at Chris Schriek's black grand piano, and a bit reluctantly broke the mood of the place with sound.

I wrote the song, then recorded it with Dan, and really wanted to have a video accompanying the album, mostly so I could advertise its release. When I mentioned that to Dan, he said he could record the video, too. He and his then girlfriend, Abbie, came up with the idea for the simple piano by candlelight theme. I scoured thrift stores for candle holders, got the appropriate permissions, and we got to work.

There is something about starting out at the beginning of something new. Everything is amazing and exciting, and kind of pure. The memory of that time is all those things for me. Precious, and priceless. Thank you to all involved in making this video: Dan, Abbie, Deanna, and Alison. Thanks Chris for trusting me not to burn down your piano, and Alliance Church for the use of the building. Your presence is so thick in this place....

Slips Away

Dm Bb

Your presence is so thick in this place

Dm Bb

That I almost don’t want to break the silence to play

C Bb

And you love me Lord you love me like you do

Dm Bb

So I will follow you

Dm Bb

I look around and all I see is grace

Dm

For every tear I’ve cried

Bb

You’ve been that much stronger

C Bb

And you love me Lord you love me Lord

Dm Bb

And I will follow you

Chorus:

F C

Lord you are the reason

Gm Bb

The reason that I fall down on my knees

F C

And when you stand behind me

Bb

There is nothing I can’t be

Dm

I’m looking for my daddy

Bb

I’m looking for you Lord

Dm

I’m walking on my bare feet

Bb

I’m walking ‘cross this floor

C

Like a little toddler

Bb

Abba father hold me close

Dm C Bb

Everything else just slips away

Dm C Bb

Slips away

Dm C Bb

Slips away

Chorus:

C

And you love me Lord

Bb

You love me Lord

Dm Bb

And I will follow you

Dm C Bb

I will follow you

Till everything else just

Dm C Bb

Slips away Slips away