MUSIC
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The Music Center’s Study Guide to the Performing Arts
TRANSFORMATION
ENDURING VALUES
ARTISTIC PROCESSES
TRADITIONAL CLASSICAL
1. CREATING (Cr)
CONTEMPORARY
2. PERFORMING, PRESENTING, PRODUCING (Pr)
EXPERIMENTAL
3. RESPONDING (Re)
MULTI-MEDIA
4. CONNECTING (Cn)
FREEDOM & OPPRESSION
THE HUMAN FAMILY
THE POWER OF NATURE
Title of Work:
About the Artwork:
My Family Home and The Immigrant’s Song
These two songs are based on Paul Tracey’s experiences in his homelands. My Family Home is a nostalgic, lilting, melody about returning to the family home in South Africa. The lyrics skillfully paint a picture of well-remembered sights, sounds, and even smells of the countryside. The chorus is sung in the Fanagalo language. The song conveys the spirit of the composer who revels in the culture of the people and the land. The Immigrant’s Song, from the show “The Great Briton,” portrays an immigrant, like Paul, who prefers to “live my life in the good old U.S.A.” Paul’s sense of humor is revealed in the amusing lyrics.
Creator: Paul Tracey b. 1939
Background Information: International troubadour, Paul Tracey, draws upon his cultural heritage and broad personal experience to communicate ideas about life through original songs. Born in South Africa, his parents separated when he was seven and he moved to England. He and his brother grew up with his mother on his grandmother’s estate, and attended boarding schools. At age eighteen, he returned to South Africa to reunite with his father and work on his farm. It was here that he attended “The University of the Bush” and learned much of what he considers important in his life. Working with his father and the foreman, a Swazi man named Simon Shabalala who became his mentor and friend, he learned about farming, building and appreciating other cultures. As the sons of Dr. Hugh Tracey, the noted African musicologist, he and his brother developed a repertoire of international and African folk music and learned to play classical and traditional instruments. This hobby led to the creation of the musical revue, Wait a Minim!, which opened in Johannesburg and ran for seven years on four continents. Paul elected to remain in the United States, performing in other Broadway musicals. The birth of his daughter inspired him to write songs for children, eventually leading to a request from Jim Henson to use several for The Muppets. Based in Los Angeles, Paul performs nine original One-Man shows for both children and adults throughout the United States and overseas.
Creative Process of the Artist or Culture: “How did I get into the wandering minstrel business? The inspiration came from John Runge, a brilliant singer/guitarist who came to my school when I was a boy just learning the guitar. He showed me what was possible!” Paul Tracey is a prime example of one who has drawn his texts from his own rich life experiences. Paul, who traveled with the American Waterways Wind Orchestra during the summers, also writes topical, satirical songs about the towns he visits. Photo by Chris Emmerick, courtesy of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
“I feel that if I can do a really good job of singing and playing, then the message I bring will be better heard.” Paul Tracey
L. A.
England New York
South Africa