Why this tune?
IThis week’s tune is another relatively new song I’m recording this week for my next album “After All These Years.” I wrote “Trip to Paradise” near the end of my 2025 January song-a-day challenge, going back to a classic songbook form to tell a story of a traveler on the way to meet their love.
I thought the song fit the theme of the album, songs about long-term relationships and looking back at the past. I don’t say much about the history of the relationship in the lyrics. I leave it to you to decide how long our characters have been apart and what sort of relationship they have.
For the album, Josh Nelson wrote a beautiful arrangement for singer John Proulx, adding some instrumental elements that elevate this simple form. Josh is one of four arrangers working on the project. I was delighted to hear how each of them interpreted the songs and added their own musical ideas.
I’ll share more details of the rest of the album after we complete the first round of recording. I plan to release the project early next year.