Music... Written and Composed by Percival Theodore

"Mysterious and Layered" was the first piece I wrote to include other members of the Travelling Circus. It was originally composed as a funeral dirge for one of my earliest companions and friends, Chow, who'd succumb to his injuries defending the Circus from Bugbears. I wrote it one late night when I missed smelling his particular type of tobacco and became overwhelmed with how much I missed the fellow.  I was reluctant to play it for the others, so I put it away and then later modified it and played it for everyone.

It was lovely Gwyneth who lent her voice to the harmonies.  I remember how tears would stream down her beautiful cheeks as she lightly and delicately brought a vivid color to whole thing.  I didn't know but apparently the two 'comforted' each other on those long trips.  Good for her, I say.

We were in one of the southern towns where she and I were performing it as a duo, and much to my surprise, that halfling Alleyn Firmfoot grabbed my vibra-slap (a sort of musical rattle) and provided a bit of quality rhythm in a copy of the slower sections.
He was more than a simple story-teller.  I miss him.

Young Burton and Marten, our dedicated tumblers in the group, provided a slow, bouncing bass rumble.  I recall how each would go up on his tippy-toes when the time came for them to make their deep 'bhaahm' sounds, helping to round out the sound.

The anchor to it all, I must say was Todd of Glales March and his steady strumming of the chords which put a pace on the whole and made a solid foundation.  He had always been a good apprentice, and this dedicated repeating chord progression helped him keep his lute in tune and provided practice as well.

I remember I tuned my 'shoulder lute' to a tighter string tension to get a more crisp sound. Chow always like it when I did. He told me it once reminded him of his native home far away.

It was one of the first pieces I'd written that brought more than just a couple of us to the stage at the same time.  I hope you all enjoy it.

I now present, [click to listen] "Mysterious and Layered" A song for Chow.