Album Notes

Yes, things were a lot different growing up on the east coast in England. In those times there didn't seem to be that rush here, and rush there, kind of lifestyle back then.
I believe that the area had more snow in winters, and that the summers were more regular and quite warm. I have relatives living there that keep me updated.

We only had eleven musicians in our little school band. I have recently discovered an old photo of the school band. If I can remember, at least seven of us lived in a seperate part of town called Suffield Park. At that time I played a silver plated brass instrument called the baritone. One Christmas, we in the Suffield Park area, were asked if we would play carols by peoples homes and help raise funds for a local mission hall. We did this for a few evenings and were accompanied by a few singers from the mission hall, and one or two fund collectors with their boxes. We played voluntary, and I believe that the mission hall collections were quite good.

In our part of town, as we called it, there was a large dance hall that was built on a ridge. Lately, from the archives, I have discovered an old photo of the dance hall, and it shows a good number of steps leading up to the entrance doors. The hall was called "Royal Links Pavilion", as there was, and still is, a golf links up above the pavilion, and not to far from the cliffs. The hall was surrounded by quite a number of trees. We learned to dance there when the big bands played, or when it was a DJ evening. Often a few U.S. Air Force service men from a local base would attend the dances, as they also did at the town's indoor roller skating rink.
I have received news that the pavilion caught fire some years back and was badly damaged. The damaged building was torn down, the area was cleared and enlarged, and small villas, holiday chalets, and a club house were built on the site.

There was a small unused field in town, and almost every summer a circus or fair would set up on the field. It was quite exciting attending either of these events. One was quite often greeted with a certain kind of music when one ventured on to the field. I believe that Tim Foley captured that sound when he played the music of "Celebration Waltz."

A few years later I did my National service in the Royal Air Force. My last 19 months were spent serving in Cyprus. Not too long after I returned home , the family moved inland to the city of Norwich. I really enjoyed visiting the jazz clubs in the city. Some years later I immmigrated to Canada.

When I think of a song, there's nearly always a story attached. With a story in mind I believe that it helps me find the words for a song that much easier.

One day a young single fellow went to a fair. While there he met a girl from his school days. She was also single. They talked and sampled the fair. The fellow mentioned that there was a dance at the local hall that evening and invited the girl to go with him. That evening at the dance the fellow mentioned that it was his birthday, and he felt like celebrating. The orchestra than began to play an uptempo waltz. The fellow guided his girl to the dance floor and they proceeded to waltz. The young fellow began to sing.

Come celebrate this waltz with me, let's twirl a round the dancing floor, I could dance all day and night, I could dance for ever more.
I celebrate this waltz with you, let's enjoy the evening through, as we twirl and glide I hold you near, around, around, around,
Keep on turning, keep on swirling, it's wonderful to waltz with you.

There are another two verses and some ending words. Check out the words to all of my songs at www.djvmusic.info

Thanks for reading my story.

David J. Voegeli