by Gary Powell, Composer/Pianist

I’m proud to announce the worldwide digital release of “Thunderstorm in Mentone,” a spoken-word album featuring author and speaker, John Lee.

Composers are often called upon to interpret life in solitude. This project, however, was by its nature a collaborative effort. I found that musically interpreting the intimacy of John Lee’s words and voice was a wonderful and enriching creative experience. My intent was not to simply provide a musical bed for John’s rich baritone. Instead, I chose to score the music both tightly and programmatically to his poetry’s honest imagery. My wish is that you will experience this integration of poetry and music as deeply as I have and find the solo piano transparently merged with John Lee’s beautiful performance.

When Gary Powell and I first talked about him setting music to my poems I thought, ‘What a compliment,’ and ‘Sure, let’s try it.’ Then when I heard his first composition I could hardly compose myself. The sound coming out of this talented, gentle man’s soul stirred my own. Now after listening to his music embrace my poems, I want to write more poetry and be a better poet and say, ‘Let’s do more.’ And we will. – John Lee, Poet and Writer

Thunderstorm in Mentone<\/i><\/h2> (The Poetry of John Lee)

Released on Miramuse<\/h4>"},"content":{"rendered":"

  <\/p>\n

by Gary Powell, Composer\/Pianist <\/p>\n

I’m proud to announce the worldwide digital release of “Thunderstorm in Mentone,” a spoken-word album featuring author and speaker, John Lee<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Composers are often called upon to interpret life in solitude. This project, however, was by its nature a collaborative effort. I found that musically interpreting the intimacy of John Lee\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s words and voice was a wonderful and enriching creative experience. My intent was not to simply provide a musical bed for John\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s rich baritone. Instead, I chose to score the music both tightly and programmatically to his poetry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s honest imagery. My wish is that you will experience this integration of poetry and music as deeply as I have and find the solo piano transparently merged with John Lee\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s beautiful performance. <\/p>\n

When Gary Powell and I fi\u001frst talked about him setting music to my poems I thought, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcWhat a compliment,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcSure, let’s try it.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Then when I heard his \u001ffirst composition I could hardly compose myself. The sound coming out of this talented, gentle man\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s soul stirred my own. Now after listening to his music embrace my poems, I want to write more poetry and be a better poet and say, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcLet\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s do more.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 And we will. – John Lee, Poet and Writer<\/i><\/plainquote>\n

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“Thunderstorm in Mentone”<\/i> – Now Available Online for Worldwide Download from These Stores<\/h3>\n

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Thunderstorm in Mentone<\/h1>\n

Written and Read by John Lee
\nComposed and Piano Performance by Gary Powell
\nProduced by Gary Powell<\/i><\/p>\n

 1. The Long Walk Home
\n 2. Ancient Paths
\n 3. The Man Who Had Never Seen the Sea
\n 4. It is a Wonder
\n 5. The Upward Journey
\n 6. Thunderstorm in Mentone
\n 7. Holding On
\n 8. Lines and Curves
\n 9. Letters
\n10. A Fall Wedding
\n11. Nothing
\n12. And Thomas Answered
\n13. Becoming Astonished
\n14. All Things
\n15. Bringing Forth<\/p>\n

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