Deep, Deeper, Deep was commissioned by the Melbourne Singers of Gospel in 2017 under the direction of Darren Wicks.
Paul’s brief was to compose a new piece of gospel music that was respectful to the art, yet uniquely Australian. Darren and Paul both felt that time spent with the choir to learn their story and work as a group on ideas was imperative.
The common theme among choristers was the ‘coming together’ purely for the joy of the song and the sound of gospel music. For some members, the choir is a way to let their hair down during a busy working week; for others it is about faith and for some it is purely about meeting new faces, sharing musical passions and for simply letting one’s hair down and having a good time; for some it is healing, and a way to cope with life’s challenges and for others it is the event that keeps them going. All share a passion for gospel!
Paul arrived home and started working on the piece when Paul’s wife Bonnie suggested the idea of going deep, and deeper into one’s true self, or into one’s music, or simply just to feel, to let go, to dream and to be yourself. The song was born.
Paul and Bonnie had just returned from New York when they started writing and felt that this piece should honour the great African American gospel tradition.
Click on the link below to view a sample and you can listen to Gondwana Singers sample recording below.
