Ain’t Goin’ Backwards No More
Austin and I at Spannocchia
One of my greatest pleasures for the past 6 or so years has been playing music with my son Austin who is basically self-taught on the guitar. In 2017 when he was 18 he was awarded an internship in organic farming at Tenuta di Spannocchia in Tuscany, Italy. While there he wrote a song about turning of age, of moving on from difficult times and sent an audio file to us via What’s App. We were astounded and very moved by its gentle beauty and musical sophistication. I contacted a friend, Ross Levy, who knew Austin from our membership at Reform Temple Keneseth Israel where Ross’ wife, Amy is the cantor. He has a state of the art recording studio (Melrose Park Studios) and was able to clean-up the raw audio file sent by Austin to which I composed and then recorded a flute part at his studio. The result is an emotionally powerful and moving story of hope and love in the context of a guitar and flute duet. I never tire of listening to it…
Thank you Austin for this lovely musical gift.
Fortunately, he continues to write music and we have been able to play together on numerous occasions which always brings me great joy.
Melrose Park Studios
Tenuta di Spannocchia
Chingale (Austin's Bandcamp Page)