The New CD: Summer Songs

 

Written in the key of A, and kind of like "Paradise" (which is also in the key of A) on my first CD , TropiGal, "Summer Songs" is about living up North and finding ways to get through the winter. Tropical music, or "Trop Rock" is one way we can get by, warming our thoughts and hearts with tales of island escapes, rum drinks and dreams of a different kind of life. 
The idea for the title came to me one day. It was from an alliteration, "Singing Summer Songs." That's pretty much what I do and it's a catch phrase for me, "Singer of Summer Songs." Music brightens the mood, helps to take the chill off. If it's cold where you are, put your beach clothes on, turn up the heat and enjoy! 

The radio is on 
 I've got my windows shut tight 
The heat in the car is blazing It might snow tonight 

Winter's hitting hard 
In our small Northeastern town 
Who knows how long this awful cold will be around? 

 Sailing down the road 
I crank the stereo up 
The music fills the cab And it warms me up 

 I'm miles from any blue water 
 But my heart is by the sea 
 This tropic music takes me where I wanna be 

Chorus 
 A guitar is picking solo 
 A lap steel playing nice and slow 
A ukulele and some congas 
 I can help but sing along 

I'm gonna take a trip to the sea 
But I'm traveling musically 
This kind of music makes my soul feel free 
Singing summer songs 

Back in my house 
And the snow is piling high 
It's gonna be a blizzard for sure 
But I'm getting by 

A little whiskey in my coffee 
And some island radio 
 This music brings the warmth back into my soul 
 Chorus 

 "Summer Songs" will be on my new CD, Songs of Love & the Ocean.

The New CD: Hemingway's Porch

Looking down from Hemingway’s Porch

The green lawn one story below

Dressed up for a wedding

White lanterns in trees

And tables with satin bows

I imagine the couples are dancing

Like ghosts in a reverie

Shades and shadows

Whirling and twirling

Then fading from my memory

©2013 Dani Hoy Music

In 2010, when visiting Key West for the first time, I had a day where it was just me riding around the island on a bicycle, exploring. That day is recording in an earlier blog so you can scroll down for that story.

Part of the my excursion included a visit to Ernest Hemingway's Home & Museum. http://www.hemingwayhome.com/. While waiting for the tour, I walked around, checking out the grounds, enjoying the beautiful home just observing. The tour was worthwhile and the tour guide was a really great guy. This is a must-see in Key West. 

While by myself, I spent time enjoying the views from the upstairs porch that ran around the one side off the master bedroom. On one side was a lawn set up for a party with beautiful white tables and hanging lanterns. Such a lovely site. 

Looking from the back I observed the cats, some with six toes, some not, meandering among the tourists, very well at ease. I could see their grave markers, their names on bricks, bowls for food and small cat homes to get out of the weather. 

The things I saw there stayed in my memory and developed into a song that will be on the new CD coming out this summer. The first part above is my initial observation. The song is 3/4 time, gentle and a nice reminiscence. I don't have a demo to share at this point with you. Sorry about that! You'll be hearing it soon enough, though. Hope to see you down the road!