…And so, Hiram has his first set for a 5 piece band. At present much of the music is constructed from samples rather than played, with the odd “live” addition of guitar, drums and bass as well as the occasional vocal. Few are complete and none are definitive (except, maybe, Atlantis) but they are all guide tracks for the arrangements. Hopefully the songs/tunes will eventually mutate into band performances played on real instruments, with real singers – The Smiling People goes as live as is practicable in this virtual world. Will Hiram get there before restrictions on music venues are removed? Will he find a band to really play the set when restrictions are lifted? Is there an audience for it?
Click on the song titles to see the words/scores – you might care to sing along with the songs which haven’t yet got vocals? Go to the The Life and Times of Hiram the Hippy page for a bit more about Hiram.
1. Fanfare (sorry – no score for this one).
To give audience time to realise the show has started and consider the very weak story line behind the performance.
Hiram, an unemployed drummer whose one dream is to play his favourite pop songs with a local combo, bemoans the fact that discos have taken over most of the venues he would have played at. However, covid restrictions have put an end to all live and disco music now. One day, while out walking, Hiram comes across a doorway he’s never noticed before. On the door is a poster for The Magic Theatre. Intrigued, Hiram pushes open the door only to find himself on a stage with a band ready to play to a live audience. The apparent paradox of a virtual, live performance is addressed by the fact that all the music will eventually be played live on real instruments and the performance will develop as various parts are added or updated.
2. Magic Theatre – The Smiling People
Which provides a doorway into the performance. Hiram enters the Magic Theatre where he discovers that he is a drummer with a 5 piece combo – The Smiling People – who are about to perform his songs intermixed with his favourites from a bygone period.
3. Hiram the Hippy – The Smiling People
Introduces himself and the Night At the Disco performance begins.
4. With a Little Help from My Friends – Joe Cocker
5. Let’s Work Together – Canned Heat
6. She’d Rather be with Me – Turtles
8. Smiling People – The Smiling People
11. Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
13. Space Oddity – David Bowie
Hiram the Hippy 