Musician: Nat Keen (guitar, vocals, recording engineer)
“I want to write a Christmas song” said Big Joe. Perfect, I thought, usually when he proposes a clear theme or sentiment like this, the words soon follow, cascading onto the blank page. Call me a scrooge, but frankly, I was looking forward to us creating something original to freshen up the tired pantheon of commercial Christmas music which, let’s face it, can be difficult to escape at times (especially for those without the privilege of mobility).
As we sat there facing each other, with guitar and notepad to hand, the words indeed began to flow, forming images of wintery scenes and warm sentiments. Eventually, after some tinkering around with sentences, chords and melodies, we had carved out a suitably catchy refrain from the icy snowball of ideas…
‘Cold cold night, don’t feel no heat, Jesus is calling on me’
In the days leading up to our second session, I created a backing track at my studio in Camberwell. It began by sounding vaguely Beach Boys-esque, but, with a few choice sleigh bells and glockenspiels added, sunny Venice Beach had suddenly morphed into a glistening Norwegian pine forest. On the following Friday, I brought my recording equipment to our session along with the sensation that we could probably wrap up the song and record Joe’s vocals within the half hour.
As we continued writing, he talked of his love of children and how much he looked forward to sharing music with them whenever the local school had visited Bridgeside Lodge. With these young friends of his in mind, he wrote; ‘and the children wait to see the snow fall from above’
The session came to an end and we had successfully managed to finish the song and capture a good vocal take. This felt like a big achievement. Although we were both feeling positive, Joe was in pain during these sessions, dealing with an array of challenges that, for most of us would certainly impede our ability to engage at all with song-writing, let alone offering so much energy and creativity.
The strength he finds to constantly overcome these barriers, spreading positivity and creating beautiful musical expressions is a source of inspiration to myself and all at The Spitz. So here’s to Joe and here’s to many more exciting musical collaborations next year.
Merry Christmas Big Joe!
Keep Me Warm
Cold cold night, don’t feel no heat, Jesus is calling on me
Shelter me and keep me warm, Jesus is calling on me
Sitting round the Christmas tree, presents waiting for me
And the children wait to see the snow fall from above
Cold cold night, don’t feel no heat, Jesus is calling on me
Shelter me and keep me warm, Jesus is calling on me
