""Every person listening to this song will relate to it... I love how simple this song is. it's just the piano and her beautiful voice. No gimmicks, fancy tricks or too many instruments. Simple, plain, pure... absolutely amazing!"
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"Intoxicating and heart-rending lyrics bring you in close as she sings each beautiful word."
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"...a riveting performance. Something to make the hair stand on edge. I'm mesmerized."
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"The song really pulls on your heartstrings and makes you feel an emotional connection."
Everyone who loves will know the pain of a lost love. That's the nature of the beast -- and its beauty. "Parting" tenderly reflects that experience in honest, genuine and, ultimately, hopeful words and a hauntingly memorable melody. The enchanting vocal by Devin Belle brings to mind legendary voices like Celine Dion, Streisand, Nianell and Carrie Underwood.
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Copyright David A. Hebert / A Bear & His Music (BMI) 2009-2012 | CAE/IPI# 231787953
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THE DEMO:
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Vocal by Devin Belle | Arrangement/Keyboards by Danny Mitchell
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THE STORY.
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This song was originally inspired by Roberta Flack's "Killing My Softly" way back when. It was written in 1976 during a particularly trying time in my so-called "love life," coming together pretty much in its entirety in a single afternoon. The song portrays the inner thoughts of a young woman knowing her "crime" of loving a man that isn't interested in returning it is about to end. Struggling to understand why and to accept the loss, she wonders aloud if she blew it when she told him of her love -- "the words I meant to use, the words I used instead," but soon realizes it simply wasn't meant to be. Saying a final "goodbye," she looks with hope at starting over with a new life, certain she will "learn to love again."
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The song sat for decades, not forgotten but seldom performed (since my voice didn't do justice to the song's design) until I returned to it in 2015. By then, the incredible voice of Celine Dion brought back my enthusiasm for the song. Having recorded a few other ballads for me, Danny Mitchell reached out to his friend, Devin Belle, to record the vocal. I've gotta say... I loved the haunting sound of the tune when I played it on my hollow-body, nylon-stringed acoustic guitar, but Danny Mitchell's arrangement sent me into orbit when I heard it. And Devin Belle's incredible vocal is as touching and "haunting" as anything by either of the ladies whose talents inspired it. If it is never cut by a "big star" I'll be satisfied that "Parting" has, indeed, met up with the perfect voice and arrangement.
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Dave