Watch LIVE Piano Improvisations by Narelle

MY PIANO IS BACK!

I'm exploring a new place with my music. Wonder of wonders! miracle of miracles! I'm able to play the piano again, but now the way I play is different.

I put my hands on the keyboard and simply start playing. Most times I discover a unique melody as I go. You can watch me do this live in my youtube playlist here.

If soothing, uplifting music is what you're looking for, I hope you'll enjoy experiencing this journey with me.

Singing and playing at the same time is something I'm working on. You can view my breakthrough moment for that in my version of "Hallelujah".

Fiat lux!
Narelle

LOVE SONG...an unspeakably beautiful experience

Being in that moment was unspeakably beautiful.

Recorded live at a meeting in Napier, New Zealand on 6th June 2015, the following song was not rehearsed. Graeme and I had never performed together before this occasion.

http://youtu.be/KpWQDAKxpNM

"Perform" seems the wrong word. In company with a group of Christian believers, we had an encounter with God. This music was simply our spirit-led expression of worship to Him.

Graeme, who excels in improvisational playing and is perfectly comfortable creating brand new music every time his hands are on the keyboard, comments, "I was playing themes on a melody I was hearing from heaven."

One of the most extraordinary and beautiful moments of my life, I felt I'd found my destiny--making music like this in God's presence. I knew I was singing a love song to Jesus.

As you view this music video, we hope that you will have an encounter with God and experience His great love for you.

Fiat lux!
Narelle


For more of Graeme Cook's music, subscribe now to:
www.ParadiseSong.com
www.facebook.com/ParadiseSongNZ
Paradise Song on YouTube

To follow Narelle Worboys' music, a) subscribe now using the free sign-up form on the sidebar,
or b) go to www.facebook.com/NarelleWorboys, click Like, and select "get notifications" from the dropdown menu, or c) subscribe for videos at www.youtube.com/songuine . Do all three if you wish. I look forward to interacting with you there.

QUOTE
"The Lord wants a greater creativity of what we can do together." Rodney Francis, Gospel Faith Messenger, www.gospel.org.nz

Encounters with God: music makes a way

On 25 April 2015, music opened the door for me to a life-changing encounter with God, a very real heavenly experience that has transported me to a new level of spiritual awareness and intimacy with Jesus. The way I think now and the way I sing is different, and the transformation is continuing. 

It was pianist Graeme Cook's music ministry that was instrumental (pardon the pun) in this process. When you find a good thing, you want more of it, right? My ideas-generator got busy on how to make this happen, with the result that, during the first weekend in June, I hosted Graeme in my home so that others could experience the way his music brings you into the presence of God. I believe everyone who came to those meetings had a life-changing encounter with God. I know I was doing things musically that I've never done before. It was indescribably beautiful and I'm eager to keep pursuing it.

This past week, I've been working with Graeme on a multimedia project featuring photos and audio recorded during that time. Here's a brief sample for you.

https://youtu.be/B3F9BtffbD4

Graeme has provided 4 audio tracks on his website ParadiseSong.com which you can download, or listen to for free online. To connect with Graeme personally, you can fill out the contact form on his website, or go to his Facebook page Paradise Song.

Fiat lux!
Narelle

The Steadfast Love of the Lord: comfort through your grief

Here's a video song card I created this weekend for a dear friend. I pray it will also bring hope and comfort to you and those you care about.

https://youtu.be/dg81gYrcCUI

Here's the inspirational poster to go with it.

View musical version here: https://youtu.be/dg81gYrcCUI

New Lyrics Revealed to Iconic New Zealand Love Song

FROM PERSONAL TRAUMA TO PUBLIC DRAMA    [video below]
It took a house fire, a dose of cenotaph memorial on ANZAC Day, and a dash of war history TV programming to bring me to the point of inspiration for this project. I’m still marvelling at what has come of it.

Within two days of being invited to take part in the World War I commemorative concert, I’d written “Women of Courage”, a playlet built around the hymn “Abide with Me”, and a week later, new lyrics for another old and very famous song which I used to open the scene.

DID YOU GUESS?
What iconic New Zealand song was first sung in 1914? I asked this in the last Songuine post. Did you figure it out?

Think Maori love song.

Think Hayley Westenra and Russell Watson at the 2009 World Games opening ceremony in Taiwan. http://youtu.be/4JquxqloDHQ

Think Maisey Rika and the St Joseph’s Girls Choir. http://youtu.be/ITee3lUKYmc

Think Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in “Kiri’s Homecoming”. http://youtu.be/lxvV-yu67cE

You know it, don't you? The mesmerizingly beautiful melody of “Pokarekare Ana” has captivated audiences around the world, and now there are new English lyrics, faithful to the original themes of love and longing, fear and loss, pertinent then in 1914 and to us now in 2014.

Here it is.

MY BELOVED, HE HAS GONE AWAY (tune of “Pokarekare Ana”) 
All rights reserved to Narelle Worboys, copyright ©2014

[Verse]
My beloved, he has gone away,
Gone to fight a freedom war,
Enduring dangers night and day.
I fear he may return no more.

[Chorus]
Evil tears the world apart.
Is there courage in my heart
To march on ‘til victory?
Oh God,
Bring him safe to me.

[Chorus repeat]
I want him here
Holding me near.
I love him, I love him so.
Help me let him go.

I regret that I'm unable to offer you better audio-visual quality, but here's a recording of the actual performance at the Town Hall, reportedly moving many people to tears (including me) and rated as the best piece of the night.

https://youtu.be/3uA_3AlicCY

In whatever sphere or circumstance you are, "may God give you courage and strength to pursue truth and love and freedom. May He give you a daily portion to live every moment and fulfil every task with joy and grace, and faith to always carry on."*

Fiat lux.
Narelle

*The Blessing from "Women of Courage".



MORE ABOUT
Pokarekare Ana, New Zealand’s unofficial national anthem
http://youtu.be/xgRVK2ge1ys

'Pokarekare Ana' (Come Back to Me) is the beautiful love song of a homesick soldier serving in the Maori Battalion during World War I. Its heartfelt expression of longing for home and loved ones immediately touched his fellow countrymen, who adopted the haunting melody as their own. A century later, it is still a poignant musical touch-stone for any New Zealander, at home or abroad.
 

To Mum With Love: gift of song stirs gift of faith

How do you go about creating a gift that will bless your mother? I'm so thankful that my voice recorder and camera are present and in good health, meaning I can share a special moment with you that resulted from my sister and I planning a gift for our mum.

Recipe: Gift for Mum. See video link for song.

Nine weeks after our fire, back at home with difficult problems and decisions to handle every day, I was glad to step outside of it all to celebrate my mother's birthday. My sister Sarah cooked a roast and a small mountain of baking to stock the pantry, competing for access to the oven with the glass technician installing the new splash-back over the bench. It looks gorgeous and Mum is thrilled. She's also delighted with the piles of Highlander bikkies.

Sarah and Narelle with a royal reminder: "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus."

After dinner, Sarah and I, dressed in our new purple merino tops (I think of purple as "Mum's colour"), sang for Mum one of her favourite hymns. Thirty times she reckons it was that she accompanied her five teenagers singing it in venues around New Zealand during the days of our Home Education Seminar Tours, and she never tired of it. You'll hear on the recording that she enjoys it still.

We had a conversation about the biblical accuracy of promising a harp in heaven, but decided if you understand it's not literal, it works as a metaphor for an eternity of music and praise. Sounds good to me.

Why not give your Mum a gift of encouragement? Here's an easy way: share this song with her! "It will be worth it all!" Here's the link: http://youtu.be/XSguEHhAvDI

Fiat lux!
Narelle

Songuine Playlists on YouTube

JULES RIDING "CATACLYSM" DVD AND TOUR
Narelle performs with Jules Riding in his live-for-dvd concert "Cataclsym" and subsequent New Zealand tour

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFDD82C3734FC7C7D

NARELLE IN YOUTUBE PRODUCTIONS

ANZAC / NEW ZEALAND DAY PRODUCTIONS

Message in a Bottle found on Lady Elliot Island

UPDATE
We've found her!

Narelle and Isabel say, "Posting this video on YouTube helped us find roma, the lady who sent the message in the bottle. Thank you to everyone who shared the video around the world! 

The bottle was returned to the sea, so there is a possibility that someone else will find it. If you do, we'd love to hear from you!"

PRESS RELEASE [16 July 2011]
What’s the most amazing thing you could find on a beach? Two New Zealand women think they’ve found it, and are keen to share its story through their YouTube video “Roma’s Message in a Bottle”. 

Narelle and Isabel Worboys invite you to help them find Roma by sharing the video with your friends.

Here's the YouTube link (new improved version): http://youtu.be/6WX3cGmY0u8

Sheet Music for Roma's Message in a Bottle

I’m thinking of making “I Have Loved You” available as a sheet music download. Would you like it for acapella voice (as in Roma’s Message in a Bottle), or would you want it with an accompaniment?

TTV interviews Jules Riding and Narelle on tour in NZ

Above is the short version. Below is the full 13 minutes broadcast on 23 November 2010.

Songuine Enters the Fashion Industry!

I'm delighted that two of my entrepreneurial strands are coming together! The opening of the Boutique Narelle TV channel to compliment the Boutique Narelle website became possible when I found a legal source of backing music -- my own vocal productions.

The BNTV flagship video features the first recording I've done with a professional backing track. I loved creating it. I hope you enjoy the result. Let me know what you think!

Tech Note: The song was filmed on video and the audio extracted. The narration track was recorded with mp3 voice recorder. How does the balance sound for you?

ANZAC Song 2011: Blue Smoke

To commemorate ANZAC Day 2011, here's "Blue Smoke" by Ruru Karaitiana.*  If you're missing someone you love, this is especially for you.

*See the YouTube info box for more on this WWII musician from my hometown.

BLUE SMOKE
Ruru Karaitiana
Blue smoke goes drifting by into the deep blue sky
And when I think of home I sadly sigh.
Oh, I can see you there with loving tears in your eyes
As we fondly said our last goodbyes.
And as I sailed away with a longing to stay,
I promised I'd be true and to love only you.
Blue smoke goes drifting by into the deep blue sky
My memories of home will never die.

Do you think I'm progressing toward better video quality? I'd love to hear from you. Suggestions welcomed!

I'm pleased with the photographer, model, and stylist, but the audio technician is definitely lagging behind. She needs a tutor to teach her how to work the microphone and its software, and a studio to put them all in! April 25th arrived without a good audio solution, so she went with the trusty old mp3 recorder in the bathroom. By the time they had all that worked out, the poor vocalist was oversung!

As the tools and talents improve, the results can only get better. Thanks for stopping by, spending a little of your precious time with Songuine. May your life be filled with songs that lift you up and help you catch the wind.

Sail on.
Narelle

Narelle Singing on Aussie TV

On 5 dates this month, Australians have the chance to hear Narelle sing on TV with Jules Riding!

You can watch the Cataclysm live concert filmed in Auckland on 9 October 2010 by tuning in to ACCTV (online or on television) on these dates.

Tues, 5 April - 8pm
Wed, 6 April - 1.30pm
Thur, 7 April - 1am
Thur, 14 April - 8.30am
Fri, 15 April - 1.30pm

Viewers in SA and NT subtract 30 minutes, and viewers in WA subtract 2 hours.

Jules Riding is touring in NSW, Victoria, and Tasmania this month. Check here for details: http://www.elkanah.org.nz/itinerary

These photos are from the Auckland concert filmed live for DVD. If you can't tune in to ACCTV on the above dates, you can view the tracks on www.YouTube.com/JulesRiding or buy the CD/DVD album or download from www.elkanah.org.nz. You can also view five clips of the New Zealand tour band at www.YouTube.com/Songuine.

View the World Premiere of Virtual Choir 2.0 !

Have you heard of Virtual Choir? If you haven't seen the videos yet, they'll knock your socks off.

80s popstar wannabe Eric Whitacre, now superstar classical composer and conductor, reveals details of the Virtual Choir 1.0 and 2.0, and the latter's world premiere in just one week:

New Zealand gets honourable mention! I'm excited and amazed to think I'm part of such a project. Did you spot me in the virtual universe...? ; ) Here's a clue for what to look for:

You can view the world premiere streaming live from New York on 7 April 2011, 6pm ET.  http://www.paleycenter.org/2011-spring-eric-whitacre  In New Zealand, that will be 10am on Friday, 8 April.

Where ever you are in the world, I hope you'll join me for this history-making event!
Warm wishes,
Narelle
www.YouTube.com/Songuine

If you'd like a text explanation of what is Virtual Choir, how it's done, and who is Eric Whitacre, click on this link and read the info box under the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geEm94ULVSQ

NZ Waitangi Day song - My Home and My Heartland

Do you love New Zealand? Make your Waitangi Day special by singing about it! To get you started, here's a song about our unique and beautiful country.

MY HOME AND MY HEARTLAND

Ooowh...
New Zealand, New Zealand,
My home and my heartland.
I love her cool glades and
her fern-shaded streams.
I roam with delight o'er her
mountains and beaches.
What land can excel her,
fair land of my own?
Ooowh...
Men of every creed and race
gather here before God's face,
asking Him to bless this place.
God, defend our Free Land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
and corruption guard our State.
Make our country good and great.
God, defend New Zealand.
Ooowh...

We have so much here that is good, don't we? What value do you place on that? Is it worth you protecting it?

I'm sure you know that good things don't happen by wishful thinking. They come from the purposeful hearts of individuals. My home is my heartland. I make it what I want it to be. How about you?

A Maori gentleman said on national radio this weekend that the Treaty of Waitangi was a treaty between man and God, so our starting point as a nation was in unity before the sovereign Almighty. Where are we as a nation today?  Do you sing this with me?...

"May our mountains ever be
Freedom's ramparts on the sea.
Make us faithful unto Thee.
God defend New Zealand."


Medley arranged by Narelle Worboys
First verse adapted from "New Zealand, My Homeland", an heritage song by Robert J. Pope
Second verse from New Zealand's national anthem, "God of Nations", by Thomas Bracken and John Joseph Woods.

Narelle's miracle voice and how YouTube got her started

Those of you who knew Narelle as a teenager will know that her voice wasn't anything to exclaim about. Wondering what happened? Watch this video.

New videos - Cataclysm Tour with Jules Riding

 Below are the links to 4 songs filmed during the Masterton and Wellington concerts in November 2010.

You may have heard the Cataclysm CD or watched the DVD with the 16-member band, but you haven't experienced the tour version! The six members of the tour band created a sound we're very proud of. We hope it blesses you!

Cataclysm Tour - In Your Presence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeTJcVE1B0s

Cataclysm Tour - Holy God
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBXoFx7XMzE

Cataclysm Tour - Follow the Lamb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaguJrN-M3g

Cataclysm Tour - Because of the Cross
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co02jia8mJo

Want your own copy of the Cataclysm album? Buy on iTunes, www.Amplifier.co.nz, or get both CD and DVD for the price of one! Click here to shop now at http://www.elkanah.org.nz

Narelle on TV

Jules Riding's new dvd CATACLYSM will air on Shine TV on January 1st and 2nd. You can watch online. Go to www.ShineTV.co.nz.

1 JAN, 7:30 - 9pm
2 JAN, 1:00 - 2:30pm.

Look out for Narelle in songs "In Your Presence" and "Holy God".

Narelle on DVD

Here are the two tracks that feature Narelle's vocals on Jules Riding's cd/dvd album "Cataclysm". Hope you enjoy!

Go to www.elkanah.org.nz to find out how to download tracks or get your own copy of the double album.

How you can hear Jules and Narelle in concert

Hi! Narelle is on tour with Jules Riding!

You can hear interviews with Jules and Narelle on Tararua Television, 7pm Tuesday November 23rd.  You'll need a UHF aerial, then follow the instructions at the bottom of the TTV homepage to tune in.  http://www.tararuatv.co.nz/news.php

Mid-tour journal entry by Narelle at http://songuine.blogspot.com/2010/11/narelle-on-tour-with-jules-riding.html

Cataclysm songs are being released one at a time on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/JulesRiding

Cataclysm is available for you to purchase on Amplifier and iTunes. Narelle is featured in "In Your Presence" and "Holy God".

Amplifier.co.nz:  http://www.amplifier.co.nz/release/63914/cataclysm.html

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/follow-the-lamb/id404741838?i=404741860&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

You have two chances remaining to hear Narelle live with Jules Riding and the band! It will be worth the effort to get there -- she's singing 4 songs on tour, double what she does on the dvd.  Click here for venues and times: http://songuine.blogspot.com/2010/10/november-concert-dates.html