RSSThe Story Behind “Water Spirits”
February 22nd, 2010 by Jim Chappell | Filed under Latest.I was lucky enough as a kid to have some unspoiled nature around to explore. We lived right across the street from an undeveloped woodland area. I used to sneak off regularly so I could visit what was known as “the creek.”
The “creek” was actually more of an elaborate marshy pond of some sort that flowed via a small stream into the nearby lake. It was full of wildlife: mallard ducks, frogs, large fish, minnows, brilliant orange-colored dragonflies, crayfish, muskrats, tadpoles, little bugs that could run along on top of the water, and various colorful birds that loved frequenting the setting.
I spent many hours there at the water’s edge just taking it all in. It was fascinating and calming for me at the same time. The creek actually became my sanctuary over time. I went regularly to comfort myself, listen, and watch. It was like entering another world for me.
I remember going there one warm summer’s night during a full moon; it was a serene, beautiful, and far more mystical place than in the daytime. My favorite place had changed itself into something even more peaceful and intriguing. It was as if there was a completely different group of creatures playing in the silver hush. And those were the different array of water fairies called sprites, nymphs, selkies, sirens, alvins and whatever else they have been named over time!
Water Spirits will hopefully take you on a little moonlit journey to this very special world I was able to be a part of…
Tags: Beautiful Music, jim chappell, jim chappell blog, jim chappell piano, new age piano, relaxing music, relaxing piano music, soothing piano music
Thanks so much Lynda! Sorry for the late reply…..
Hi Jim,
Your story sounds like the woodland area across the street from where I grew up and spent many many hours doing the same thing (catching crawdads, watching water bugs of all sorts).
Years later I returned with my daughter to show her where I played as a child and how wonderful it was to venture though the woods and creeks only to find a mysterious play house on the other end.
Thanks for sharing how you came about this wonderful song. It will always remind me of my time playing as a child.
My son wants to start playing the piano and hope he enjoys it as much as you do. You inspire us!
Lynda
‘Serenity Rush’ album is actually one of my top three favorite Chapell albums. Among its selection, ‘Water Spirits’ is definitely one of the best because of its style in capturing nature thru music – very soothing, very inspiring, very mystical that gives you the feeling of being with the nature. The melody of the entire music is like emulating the drizzling rain, rushing stream towards the lake, waterfalls, popping pool bubbles, eddies, and everything that characterizes water, not only as being the universal source but rather as a living entity. Very nature-al!
Thanx for sharing Jim!
I also, listen to your music at bedtime. Just listened (so beatiful) to ‘my favorite’ (my first
intro to your music) Free Again. Had to have my album of Dusk commercially cleaned so I could put it into my mp3. Where I have most of your albums.
Water Spirits reminds me of ‘dusk’ where I sit out on the deck overlooking the lake, watching the hummers & birds eat their evening meal, and the sailboats gliding around the lake.
A lot of your music I can relate to like that.
Thank you, Thank you for your wonderful & beautiful talent.
Rita
Thank you for commenting Bud, David and Meanne- I’m glad you can relate to the feeling in this piece:)
Very relaxing. It made my tiredness gone far… far from all the worries and stress a day can give.
Great job Jim for a superb music!
Once again your Music has taken me in with it to magical places. I remember a similar place of mine as a youth. The sparkle of the sun , the reflection of the moon. Tadpoles and frogs and rabbits and birds. The rustle of the trees and the squirrels jumping around. Such magic.
Thank You.
Hi Jim…
I continue to enjoy your music.. the dancing sprites brought back many memories of being alongside a quiet place on the Mississippi River in Iowa.. or lakes in Wisconsin.. or even while crossing the Atlantic on a troop ship during WWII and noticing the zig zagging of the ship.. (a sub was chasing us!).. obviously we out ran it.. but even then, for a midwestern 18 year old, to see the ocean and be upon it… have traveled many times OVER the oceans in both directions.. so water has been important part of my personal geography… some night time pictures I’ve captured of shimmering water reflecting the moon and stars dance in my mind while listening to your music. I still often go to sleep listening to one of your earlier cds I used in the radio program I produced. So your music isn’t far from both memory and current moments. Thanks for the latest “memory dancing” music. Bud