Loenard Cohen’s Hallelujah (made famous by Jeff Buckley) has recently become a staple in my set and a shining star in my repertoire. Whether it’s played in a vaulted auditorium or a crowded bar, it seems that this song demands a respect. Though it sometimes gets a Shrek Soundtrack shout-out, it ultimately gains a reverent attention from the masses and has tendency to be very emotionally moving.

When I first made the decision to learn the song, I went online to track down the lyrics. To my surprise, I’m led to understand that Cohen originally wrote roughly 80 verses to his epic ballad and countless individual artists have since contributed their own interpretations across the years.

In the spirit of this co-op, I decided to learn a few of my favorite verses from Cohen’s original, as well as, humbly contribute my own verse to history. The video below from my AcousticConversations podcast, displays my version of Hallelujah and offers up my original verse:

Father, can you hear me now?
If you can, please scream out loud
Because I need to believe I’m getting through to ya.
I know it’s been the longest time,
But if you can hear me, show me a sign
And make the words I sing, sing Hallelujah.

Thank you Mr. Cohen for such a beautiful contribution to music.

The day after my birthday I peeled myself out of my bed at 5am and caught a flight to Salt Lake City. Once I landed, I wound my way through the falling snow for another couple hours before getting to Utah State University in Logan, UT. As you can see, there was a beautiful sight awaiting my arrival.

The Performance Hall - Utah State University

This was an extremely special evening because of the immaculate setting and respectful audience. I always love playing these state-of-the-art facilities because you’re simply spoiled. The sound was perfect, the technology was flawless and it allowed me to project my lyrics for the audience to read– in the end, I gained a quality recording that I’ll be showing off in good time.

Tyler Stenson at the Performance Hall - Utah State University

Another benefit to these large performance halls is the presence of the piano. Since I don’t own my own, I always revel in the opportunity to sit and play. I spent a large portion of sound-check plunking through different songs and I ended the evenings encore with the piano ballad As of Late.

Tyler Stenson at the Performance Hall - Utah State University

All of that said, the most special moment of the evening was when my little sister Austi joined me on stage. She has one of the coolest voices on this planet, and since she goes to Utah State, I called her the morning of the performance and asked if she’d join me. Understandably nervous and hesitant, she was gracious and agreed to do her part on such short notice. She really added a sweetness to the evening in general but most importantly, improved I Might Be Gone, Cannonball, Welcome the Change and Wyoming. Thanks Austi– you nailed it!

Tyler & Austi Stenson at the Performance Hall - Utah State University

Thank you Kris, Sally and Utah State University for having me– I hope I added to your cause in the least.

Tuesday was a sweet experience; I had the opportunity to visit North Park Elementary in Logan, UT. It was heart-warming to have the children so excited to see me; asking random questions and requesting specific songs. A child’s spirit is an amazing creation in its own regard– they have a gleam and an innocence that is inspiring.

Tyler Stenson at North Park Elementary

While playing in one of the classrooms, the children requested songs by name: Big Hearts, The Bus, Wyoming, etc. I thought I’d have some fun with a couple of the songs and keep things interactive.

Big Hearts for example, I told the kids that in my song, I chose to compare a big heart to a full moon, the Northern Lights, freight trains, etc. When I turned and asked them what other things are big like hearts, they replied; Elephants, Dinosaurs, Blue Wales, Giraffes, Wolves of Wolves and of course, the Universe. I believe they enjoyed their new version better than the original…

Tyler Stenson at North Park Elementary

In another session, I had the children re-write The Bus with me. In a mad-lib style, I asked them to give me a mode of transportation, an emotion and a piece of scenery. The song went from a simple little ditty about city lights, to a soaring Epic about the blue clouds.

THE BUS: ORIGINAL
On the bus, I’m in love.
On the bus, I’m in love
With the city lights
As they lie there; thin on the horizon.

THE BUS: NORTH PARK ELEMENTARY VERSION
On an airplane, I am happy.
On an airplane, I am happy
And staring out at the clouds
Because they are blue.

Tyler Stenson at North Park Elementary

Lastly, by show of hands, I opened the floor to questions– to name a few, I was asked: Do you have any serious songs? What’s the lowest note you’ve ever played? What is the highest note you’ve ever played? Do you have any love songs?

Tyler Stenson at North Park Elementary

Back in January I did a podcast with the guys at AcousticConversations.com. Top to bottom it was the most comprehensive interview I’ve ever done and I’m proud to say it was all recorded for posterity. As a result, I now have this 52 min podcast that you can listen to by clicking here or on the image below. Thanks Peter Wright and Curt Siffert for such a fine conversation.

Tyler Stenson on Acoustic Conversations

February 16th, 2009 is the day I turned 28 years old. I turned off my phone last night. I had me time. I slept in until 1pm today and took my time. I woke up to no alarm. I went to lunch with my brother at my favorite BBQ joint. I’m sifting through emails and mySpace/Facebook comments from my dearest friends. I’m changing “27″ to “28″ on every biography that is seeded online. I’ve got a party planned at my local haunt tonight. I’m going to take things too far. Today, I’m 28 years old.

Much of my music lends a respect to life, aging and legacies. By no means do I feel overtly-old today but, as another year passes, one can’t help but reflect on the previous 27 and the events that led me here.

Today’s blog post will dip into my archives and site the themes of time and age in my music and poetry:

QUOTES: A handful of insightful quotes from the years.

FROM: AS OF LATE
I’ve got memories.
All the pieces that make up me-
Distant memories-
That are stuck to the ceiling
And hanging above my head.

FROM: BABYSITTING THE COWBOY
Lisa. Please watch over me;
Write it down in your memory that I-
I was a child lost in a daydream.

FROM: EVERYBODY & CHANGE
It’s not fair that none of us
Are anywhere we use to be,
This time last year.
Back when the rain cut into summer
And it kept us home from the little games we played.
It’s the reason that you’re leaving…
And staying away.

FROM: EXPLODE
In my bones I’m feeling older-
This war time has changed me-
I’m no doubt colder
And I will freeze here long before I burn.

FROM: GETTING OLD
Bring back the days when our hearts were bold
Cause now it seems, these days, we are getting old.

FROM: GHOST
Seven years- this could break me.
Seven years and I can’t forget that face
(though I’ve tried).

I MIGHT BE GONE
I might be gone by the end of this day
When my soul retires and drifts into space
And all of my life is at the mercy of grace-
Remember me time, as I float away.

I might be gone in ten thousand days
When all of my life is rocking chair gray.
I hope I go in the middle of a crowd-
They’ll remember me then
Because people get use to having people around.

Our memories remain through the poets and songs-
They are filling the graves with history’s bones.
We all sink by the side of the afternoon light-
What can you expect?
We are mortals in time.

And in time, I might get old.
I might retire.
I might have little ones with minds I inspire.
I might get lucky and they’ll remember this song-
I hope it happens cause I might be gone.

IMMORTAL
Sitting by his gravestone I thought about his name
A slate of stone is all that remains.
The man once loved, now dissolved in a memory
Of a man once revered and treasured by family.

One hundred years gone has taken this memory
Stripped his kin and killed his legacy.
No one that knew him is left or remains
Only a history book might remember his claim.

I know one day I will join his bones
And leave those that I loved and loved me alone.
But who is so lucky to be immortalized in literature?
Nothing I’ve done deserves such an honor.

OLD THINGS
I remember living there- remember me?
Nothing fills your heart like history.
There is room for little space
And all of our hearts can be replaced
So we traded in the birch for the pine trees
And the evergreens.

New things always shine but
They don’t make them anymore like the old things.

I remember loving you- remember me?
Nothing fills your heart like history.
There is room for little space
And all of our hearts can be replaced
But she will always be so close to me.

New things always shine but
They don’t make them anymore like the old things
What is new was never mine
So I feel nothing really shines like the old things.

FROM: THE SEQUEL
I needed change but all along
I’ve been living these yesterdays.

FROM: THE TUMBLE
Gone now are years of memories
That nobody wants but me
But that sounds like me, that is, to hold on endlessly.

FROM: WHISTLE STOP
It’s the end of the line
Your train rolled through the time.
Now, all your graces
And your legacies stand.

FROM: WHISTLE STOP
Where it stops I can’t say
But those warm summer days
Roll by like cars on a train.

FROM: WYOMING
All the years hang on the wind
Above this last good plot of land.
I hear it echo in the trees.
I hear it’s whisper on my knees.

SONGS: A handful of songs that reference aging, life and legacies.

BABYSITTING THE COWBOY

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EVERYBODY & CHANGE

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GETTING OLD

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I MIGHT BE GONE

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OLD THINGS

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WHISTLE STOP

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I don’t write an extreme amount of love songs but I do have my few gems from my history. In honor of Valentines Day, I’ve decided to post the few that I have… enjoy them and spread the love!

HER SONG
From the Princess Willy album, though this is not available for posting, it was the first song I ever wrote and therefore, certainly worthy of honorable mention.

ROME TOMORROW

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MACKENZIE RIDES MOTORCYCLES

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12 MONTH LOVE

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NAMELESS BEAUTIFUL

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SPINNING ME

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FEELING THE SUN

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CELLOPHANE

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FINGERTIP

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THE ROAD NEW

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I know what you’re thinking, “you write about love all the time!” True, but the songs posted above are love songs through and through… no negative connotations whatsoever.

My article from the West Linn Tidings was just picked up by the Portland Tribune as well! The content here is nothing new– just hosted by someone else with a new header. Regardless, I’m happy to see it spreading.

Tyler Stenson in the Portland Tribune

You may or may not know that after my family left Wyoming, we moved to a small suburb called West Linn, OR. I recently caught up with Nicole Decosta (a writer for the West Linn Tidings) and answered some questions about my life and music career post West Linn. The article below landed on the front page of today’s paper- click on the image below to read the full feature!

Tyler Stenson in the West Linn Tidings

Click here to read the full feature!

Friday March 20th I’ll be headlining a showcase at McMenamin’s White Eagle Saloon. This is a historic venue and I’m planning to make the night match in grandeur.

The showcase will feature Kirk Duncan, Yours Truly and Redwood Son (Josh Malem). Mark it on your calendar and I’ll hope to see you in March!

Tyler Stenson at the White Eagle Saloon

There is a new music resource on the scene called Project Perch– they are all about promoting artists, writers, music, art and literature. Coincidentally, they did a review on my music and had some kind words to say about See That Gleam. Best of luck to the folks at Project Perch… especially Austi.

Tyler Stenson on Project Perch

Tyler Stenson’s most recent album bleeds honesty. See That Gleam is a combination of several emotions, each as visceral as the last. Reaching more human chords than simply love and loss, See That Gleam awakens dormant feelings that run the gamut of human experience. Listening to the album arouses feelings wistful to exultant; hopeful, then dismayed; reminiscent, then ennobling. Musically satisfying, the album is never predictable or formulaic. The timbre of the album is universal enough to be enjoyed by listeners of all tastes, yet carries a distinct sound that prevents it from being trite. Combining the musical richness with Stenson’s mastery of lyrical imagery, the album never smacks of cliché, allowing the listener to trust the truth gleaned from the experience.