A few song lyrics
from Heather's forthcoming 'Healing' CD
Pixel
by Pixel
Here’s that photo we had taken on our holiday –
summer evening by that Thames-side cottage where we’d stay. It’s
my favourite snap of me because I look so blithe. Unfortunately, you’re
there too – slouching by my side. Could I not see then what
you were like? I was so blind. I can’t believe I’ve kept this
in my handbag all this time. This photo, once so glossy, is now bent and
scratched. A shame. But it’s not quite so cracked and battered as
our love became.
I was going to bin it, but it’s such a nice one
of me. So, next, I got the scissors out – but then I couldn’t
see how to cut you off, and fill the space where you had been with something
photogenic to replace you in the scene. Then I had a great idea –
I’ve scanned the picture in on my computer. Here it comes, enlarged
upon the screen. The scratches and the creases and the grime will soon
be gone – and, better still, now you’ll be wiped away
before too long...
I’ll sample bits of grass, of trees, of soil and sunset skies, and
copy, move and paste them so your image is disguised. So pixel by pixel
I’ll make you disappear. Hey! Now the picture’s magnified,
the detail’s getting clear. When I view the photograph at eight
times normal size, I see there’s just a hint, a glint of boredom
in your eyes. Your arm’s across my shoulders, but now I see your
heart wasn’t really in it. Well, that arm’s gone for a start.
Your other hand is in your pocket, skulking in its lair.
It rarely brought your wallet out – well, not when I was there.
Never mind, it’s gone now, and a flowerbed takes its place. I’ll
make more of that pretty shrub to cover up your face. A nice piece of
the riverbank where your legs used to be – it’s looking
better already – well, at least, it does to me.
Pixel by pixel, taking shape against the trees,
Pixel by pixel, are the edges of my sleeves.
So now there’s no trace left of you, just me on
holiday – just a carefree single girl, I’ve made the
picture say. I scroll across again. What’s this? Ah, now I understand –
this pink blob hanging in mid-air would seem to be a hand. It can’t
be yours; they’re both accounted for. No – I forgot –
it’s mine. My arm around you squeezed my fingers into shot. Oh,
poor misguided little hand, the last bit hanging on to someone not worth
holding, where it never did belong.
There! Pixel by pixel – pixel by pixel – it’s
gone!
© 2005 Heather Enid Wells
Dozy
River
When I’m worn and weighed with woe, there’s
a place I always go –
Dozy, dozy river, soothing comfort giver, any time my thoughts are low.
Dreaming in the sun I’ll stay. The river’s
cool and green today.
Lying by the water… look! That angler’s caught a bream –
or has she? No, it’s got away!
Dozy dozy river, by my feet you slither – little
ripples trip and play.
I can feel your bubbles taking all my troubles, floating all my blues
away…
Never may your course run dry! Though we mortals live
and die,
Dozy dozy river, endlessly forever,
Dozy river flow on by.
© 2005 Heather Enid Wells (this song has also been
recorded by Bright Spark) |
A few extracts from
reviews...
"Original, witty, sensitive, articulate, down-to-earth - those qualities
are the characteristics necessary to qualify for a Rychard Carrington
black belt in singer-songwriting. Ladies and gents, I proudly award this
coveted honour to Ms Heather Enid Wells, who thus joins an illustrious
pantheon that includes Loudon Wainwright, Jonathan Richman, Peter Buckley
Hill, Peter Blegvad and John Otway.
The first female beltwearer indeed. I can’t think of any other female
singer-songwriter who can write about “love” without going
off into vague abstractions, emotions detached from real world detail.
It takes humility and courage to write lyrics as frank and sensitive as
those of ‘I Was Tempted’, and the result is one of
the most moving songs I've heard. The subject of ‘Dolly Latex’,
a woman's revenge on an ex-lover seen purchasing a blow-up doll, guarantees
an interested audience, but the sustained acerbic wit observes male attitudes
with, so to speak, forceful penetration. ‘In Praise Of Nerds’
is touching where it's so easy to be mocking or sentimental. ‘News,
Weather and Archers’ goes on a bit, but lays bare the tribulations
of the singer's childhood with powerful restrained feeling. And all the
other tracks are very good as well.
Heather Enid Wells gigs in the Norwich area. I’m not predicting
that she’s going to be a big star, I’m just telling you that
she deserves to be."
– Rychard Carrington, Rock’n’Reel Magazine
"Heather Enid Wells comes from Norwich and she is an original. Her
songs are very different... There are a lot of original ideas here and
a set of most unusual and personal songs... Heather is a most entertaining
act to see live in a club setting... Such an original (that’s three
times I’ve used the word) singer, song writer and guitarist deserves
a hearing. Just a thought: This lady could sing jazz."
– Simon Brown, Folk
on Tap Magazine, Issue 91 Spring 2002
A good selection from singer-songwriter-guitarist Heather – one
of the most popular performers on the local acoustic circuit. There’s
some witty, clever and sensitive writing in News, Weather & Archers,
the title track (Different Windows) and 21 Days/Under Your Heart, and
Heather plays well throughout."
– Brian Gaudet, Eastern Daily Press, 4th January
2002
"...Making her debut Midlands appearance at two local folk clubs,
Heather offers a sideways and often hilarious look at life on topics ranging
from blow-up dolls to the mating habits of fish. Other songs show a more
sensitive side with bittersweet reflections on her own childhood and experiences
as a woman.
Heather is a popular figure on the Norwich music scene, playing guitar
and bass in rock and roll and jazz line-ups. She has run a successful
showcase session for the last two years offering new musicians a chance
to play in public..."
– Pete
Willow, Coventry Evening Telegraph, Friday 25th April 2003
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