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The Naramata Project
The Naramata Project has been a multi-year musical effort that has come together as a result of my social isolation. Goal: to tell Naramata’s story in picture and song using musicians from our community. “Naramata’s Call” talks about our beginning and development. “Naramata I’m Coming Home” shows what we have become. I don’t think these tunes will bring Nashville calling. = They are for us. For Brakeman Jack this has been a labour of love
Naramata’s Call
Here’s a musical trip through Naramata’s history as it unfolded from being a gleam in JM Robinson’s eye to becoming the idyllic community we enjoy today. Originally I’d hoped to tell our story with help from the rich trove of historical images available at the Naramata Museum. Alas, even with a discount on image costs, this route proved too expensive for a Brakeman’s budget. Plan B was to shoot footage at JM’s home, currently the Naramata Inn. Covid sunk that option. Plan C before you, uses the history that surrounds us (Wharf Park, Francis Hadfield’s wonderful mural on the Wine Vault, Manitou Park and our Museum) as backdrops to tell our tale. Instead of historic photo’s you get Brakeman Jack’s virginal lip-sync effort! Be gentle.
Naramata, I’m Coming Home
This song is about TODAY. The Naramata WE experience. It’s a song that has enjoyed a wonderful transition over time. It began as home thoughts while I was returning from from a musical road trip. The first Naramatians to hear it were Bert and Stu Berry as I sat out front of the Museum. They LOVED it! Carol Beishman liked singing it so much that I was asked to perform it at her Celebration of Life. NARAMATA, I’m Coming Home” was also sung at the dedication of the Legacy Monument in Wharf Park and it’s story was included in Craig Henderson’s “Naramata Chronicles”. A BIG change occurred when the song became a traditional serenade performed by community volunteers at Naramata’s annual Farm Workers Dinner. The volunteers enjoyed singing it and the pickers enjoyed singing along. Because this song was now being sung by a choir of Naramatians, I changed the lyrics to reflect that fact. Songwriters get to do this.