New Recording By David Vernon

Click here to obtain a copy of BY MYSELF

Shortly after relocating to New York City, I began the process of finding an accompanist. I was leafing through the pages of a Backstage publication and came across an advertisement for Albee Barr. It read that he was an arranger, a composer and a music director. Those attributes appealed to me and I called him up. I told him that I wanted to put together a one-man show. Albee and I met at his studio-penthouse apartment in Chelsea. I remember walking into that apartment, with its beautiful view of the river, and thinking to myself, wow! What an inspirational view for creation! Albee and I began to discuss what sort of production I wanted to put together. I told him how difficult it was for me to make the transition to becoming a New Yorker. I was feeling terribly alone and forgotten in Manhattan. How strange it was to me that all of these people were in this city together yet so distant from each other. I thought about the subway, and how so many people were packed together in this tiny little train car, yet silent in their commute. I went on and on to explain that I have always been a bit of a loner and had my own ideas about most topics and events. I don’t remember the first song that Albee and I performed, but I do remember that at that moment I knew I was with the right person and in the right place. After that meeting I began to reflect on our conversation and I soon realized that all these things I’d been feeling were a reflection of myself. This would be the subject matter for the show, and I would take these experiences and feelings and weave them into a story. Music is truly universal. And through song there is no better way to say what’s on your mind or in your heart without having to make any apologies or explanations.

1. By Myself
Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz
Not a day goes by that I don’t thank my lucky stars for being blessed with a loving family and strong friendships. Still I know that when all else is said and done, I’m going to be the one who turns out the light and asks myself what could I have done differently and what effect would it have had. There or here I am. It’s interesting how we all start out so perfect only to wind up what we become. The solitary moment can offer such a multitude of instantaneous feeling. Touched, thought of, held and let go, only one thing in this life can matter it’s on with the show. Leaving behind what is past and daring to go out on a limb and do what is in your heart.

2. La Vie En Rose
M. David, Louiguy, Edith Piaf
I have been performing this song since my early twenties, so it’s always had a special meaning to me. The melody is so pure, yet simple, and the words are melodious while fitting the score. All sorts of images come to mind when I’m singing this piece still. I wanted to avoid the subject of love on this recording. But during the first time I got up in front of a New York audience, and the reaction this piece stirred up, I knew that I had to include it. The life of roses sounds like a really sweet existence.

3. Where is it Written?
Michel Legrand, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman
All of my life I have strived to push against the grain, I am never more bored than when I’m forced to do something the “proven” way. I’m sure at one point or another we all have felt this. My own curiosity doesn’t allow me to sit still for very long and my own imagination forces me to question everything. If we possessed all the answers, would it dull our senses? What could possibly be more curious than the unknown? So many exterior things appear to be set in stone. How is it that with the use of our imagination all things can seem free and possible? What if all of our expression really serves no purpose at all? I sometimes think that would be fine.

4. Corner of the Sky
Stephen Schwartz
I remember Pippin on video as a child. Although I have never seen the live production, this song alone is so applicable to so many walks of life. It has the truest lyrics one could ever experience or imagine. I’ve never really felt like I fit in anywhere I go. I can make myself comfortable for a period but after a while I grow anxious about moving on. This song certainly fills a part of the over all story being told here. I am still looking for that place to fit in perhaps I may never find it which is ok.

5. Between Yesterday and Tomorrow
Michel Legrand, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman
There is something so rich and elegant about a Michel Legrand composition. Singing his material makes a singer feel like they are really performing a masterpiece. I so fell in love with this piece the first time I ever heard it. For me it’s all about being in the moment and discovering all the tiny little aspects of life that get overlooked in a routine of things.

6. In Germany Before the War
Randy Newman
Albee brought me this song. He played it for me a couple of times and then I sang it. I was so moved by how sad the story it tells. My friend and I were talking about it and he told me this story of his visits to the Rhein. He went on to say that when he was there he remembers multitudes of older ladies alone walking their dogs along the shore. Gone were the lovers, husbands and sons killed in the war. That is what I now see when hearing this song. And I think of the solitude of losing a loved one due to circumstances beyond our control.

7. I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
Harry Carrol
Pick up a newspaper or turn on the news and it’s all-bad. Call me a dreamer but I truly wish that we could all see that diversities make up the colors of the rainbow. One of the many things I love most about living in New York is all the varied cultures. How boring it would be if we were all the same and had the same feelings about things. This song is my anthem for diversity.

8. Let Me Fall
B. Jutras, J. Corcoran
Cirque Du Soleil presents the most fantastic productions I have ever seen. I have always loved the musical compositions for these works as well. When I was first telling the folks back home about my moving to New York, they didn’t believe that I actually meant to stay. There were doubts. For me this song encompasses those times and my telling people I’m going whether I fall on my face or not.

9. Walking in the Air
Howard Blake
When I first heard this piece it took me right back to my childhood. I was forever separating myself from reality. The lyric is so full of loving visual thoughts I felt compelled to sing it. My hope is that this recording might remind the listener of a simple and innocent time.

10. Apres Un Reve
Gabriel Faure
Gabriel Faure was great composer and writer. What many people don’t know is that he was also a great teacher. It’s very exciting to me that classical works are becoming mainstream. Classical music is what I listen to the most. I like it so much more when a sweet melody is blended with great words. I have always adored this piece and when I brought it to Albee he had his doubts but I convinced him that it could work. His arrangement makes it so fluid and now I love it all the more.

11. Ordinary Miracles
Marvin Hamlisch, Marilyn Bergman, Alan Bergman
I believe that miracles are up to interpretation. They extend beyond time and space. When we are tolerant and loving of others and ourselves for the way we are then peace can come from within our own being. Possessing and extending an open mind is where the miracle begins. What is ordinary about a miracle? Perhaps it is the doubt that is dispelled by believing.

12. I Don't Care Much
John Kander, Fred Ebb
I was born to play the role of the emcee in Cabaret. I never realized this piece existed until the revival. The first time I heard it I was so excited that after listening to it that day maybe 25 or more times I decided to include it in a show that I did in Chicago. To this day I do not own a chart of this piece. Every accompanist I’ve ever performed it with has found it easiest to let me lead the way and they pick it up. It is definitely my favorite piece from the show.

13. The Singer
Walter Marks
How is it that a little boy comes from the womb with a song in his chest?
There is something untouchable and sometimes even ethereal about being an artist and evolving into one entity within a piece or body of work. While in the process of creation for me there is no longer a beginning or an end there is only the moment and the experience of projecting the purpose within the emotion. For me this song creates a curiosity between the artist and the audience. Will one ever really understand the other?

14. The Sweetest Sounds
Richard Rodgers
This is in my opinion is the best song for ending this album. The sweetest
sounds often times really only exsist in our head. But then there is music
and nothing can be more inspirational for a singer.