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Suzanne Clachair

Australian singer, songwriter and producer

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Clachair is a class act, a breath of fresh air

- Adelaide Review -

Suzanne Clachair has a beautiful lilting voice and she makes wonderful music

- Alan Jones // Australian radio broadcaster -

She is truly outstanding

- Julio Iglesias // Singer-songwriter -

Suzanne sings like an angel

- Sydney Morning Herald -

Suzanne is an elegant woman with the most crystalline voice

- The Courier Mail -

Suzanne Clachair was born to sing…her voice is pure crystal

- The Daily Mercury -

Her songs are so spiritually moving that your hair stands on end and you walk away covered in goosebumps

- The Daily Telegraph -

Nothing less than her whole heart goes into her music

- The Herald -

Suzanne’s music is highly individual and deeply personal. She is no ordinary singer…

- The Herald Sun -

Suzanne’s music is food for the soul

- The Sunday Mail -

Biography

Welcome to the blog

Suzanne Clachair is an award-winning Australian singer, songwriter and producer who first came to prominence at 16 after winning the ABC’s nationally-televised talent show “Quest” with her moving performance of ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’. She has since entranced audiences throughout Australia and around the world with her haunting vocals and dynamic stage performances.

Classically trained, Suzanne completed a scholarship in singing at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music under world-renowned tenor Sir Donald Smith O.B.E, and later graduated with a Business Degree in Communication from Queensland University of Technology and a Diploma in Education from The University of Queensland. She found employment first as a High School teacher and later, a Marketing consultant all the while maintaining a passion for her music.

Almost a decade after her Quest win, a TV commercial was the catalyst for Suzanne’s stellar recording career. Featuring Suzanne’s soaring vocal rendition of the song Barcarolle, it took the public by storm; the TV Network was inundated with callers wanting to purchase the vocal soundtrack.

Warner Records went one better and released Suzanne’s first album of the same name which went platinum within a few months of release. In the same year, Suzanne gave birth to her first child - and was offered a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. Serenade was released in 1990 followed by a TV special, “An Evening with Suzanne Clachair” and three months later Serenade also achieved platinum sales.

Soon after, the world’s biggest recording star at the time, Julio Iglesias, was so impressed with Suzanne’s voice he invited her to be his special guest during his 1991 Australian tour and to perform at the Opening of his Las Vegas Show. Suzanne’s own Australian tour followed, where she performed to capacity crowds in all the nation’s capital cities. Suzanne’s third album, Believe In Love was released that year through Sony Music and was quickly followed by another TV special.

For the next three years, a hectic touring schedule saw Suzanne perform once again to capacity audiences throughout Australia. From singing the Australian National Anthem at national and international sporting events to headlining at the Sydney Opera House and appearing regularly on Nine Network’s The Midday Show with Ray Martin, Suzanne’s beautiful voice was heard across Australia.

The release of Suzanne’s fourth album, Romance, once again highlighted the versatility of Suzanne’s talent, including her own compositions and eclectic blend of material from Celtic to classical. After the birth of her second daughter the following year, Suzanne reduced her heavy performance commitments to devote time to her family and return to her studies, completing a post-graduate degree in Counselling.

“My life has been so blessed with a precious family to nurture and love and my music always there to uplift me. Time changes many things but these remain my constants,” Suzanne says.

Now Suzanne invites audiences to relive the passion, beauty and drama of her first award-winning debut album Barcarolle digitally remastered and available to the public for the first time in over 25 years. Featuring classic songs such as Barcarolle, The Water is Wide, When I Dream and If You Love Me, Suzanne’s stunning voice touches the heart and soothes the soul.

“For me, music exists to inspire, move and heal. I choose those elements which speak to me from a broad range of musical genres, then bring my own style to the task to create something individual and authentic. With each song, each album, each performance, I feel like I’m embarking on an emotional journey together with my listeners,” Suzanne says.

The re-release of Suzanne’s Barcarolle Remastered has in no small way been motivated by a desire to honour her late mother who passed away in 2012.

“Family and music were always Mum’s two greatest loves. She was incredibly encouraging and supportive of me, especially when it came to my singing. Her unwavering confidence in my voice filled me with the hope, courage and self-belief to follow my dreams to become a recording artist,” Suzanne says. "And just as my dear Mother did, my loyal fans have continued to support me over all these years - Barcarolle Remastered is really my way of saying thankyou."

Suzanne’s enchanting voice, unforgettable lyrics and beautiful melodies stand testament to her name being synonymous with simply superb singing. Her timeless recordings showcase an irresistible tapestry of musical genres, all embossed with Suzanne’s unmistakable and evocative voice.

 

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  • BarcarolleSong notesLyrics

    Barcarolle

    Belle nuit, ò nuit d’amour, souris à nos ivrèsses.
    Nuit plus douce que le jour, ò belle nuit d’amour!
    Le temps fuit et sans retour. Emporte nos tendrèsses!
    Loin de cet heureux sé jour, le temps fuit sans retour.

    Zéphyrs embrasés, versez-nous vos caresses,
    Zéphyrs embrasés, donnez-nous vos baisers,
    Vos baisers, vos baisers. Ah!

    Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour, souris a nos ivrèsses.
    Nuit plus douce que le jour, ô belle nuit d’amour!
    ô belle nuit d’amour!
    Souris à nos ivrèsses
    Nuit d’amour, ô nuit d’amour!

    Barcarolle

    Offenbach/Wilkes (Essex)

    The title track of my debut album in 1988, this song started my recording career and I owe it a great debt of gratitude. My appreciation for classical music began when I was 17 and undertaking a scholarship at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music under Sir Donald Smith. I found the experience hugely inspiring in terms of correct vocal technique and discovering my vocal capacity and this has remained with me throughout the years. However, my musical passion has always leaned more towards the “middle of the road” and performing iconic classical pieces such as this is more a joyous exception rather than a rule for me. A “barcarolle” is a folk song sung by Venetian Gondoliers. It is characterised by a rhythm reminiscent of the gondolier’s stroke, almost invariably a moderate tempo 6/8 meter. This most famous Barcarolle is from Offenbach’s opera “The Tales of Hoffman” written in 1881.

  • A Star Fell From HeavenSong notesLyrics

    A Star Fell From Heaven

    When the moon is softly beaming
    And the world beneath is dreaming,
    The stars come down from heaven to earth.
    Every star has got a duty
    to delivery love and beauty,
    and fill the lovely places with mirth.

    A star fell from heaven one beautiful night
    Bringing me a glimpse of delight
    from the skies above.
    A star fell from heaven and showed me the way
    How to be contented and gay
    For it brought me love.
    It whispered to me you are wonderful, beautiful, heavenly
    And you are mine, dear.
    A star fell from heaven and soon made me see
    That you had been waiting for me.
    How I thank my star.

    Love is like the rarest present.
    Makes your life both sad and pleasant
    And fills your heart with bliss and surprise.
    If at times you’re feeling lonely,
    All you have to do is only
    To send a silent wish to the skies.

    A star fell from heaven one beautiful night
    Bringing me a glimpse of delight
    From the skies above.
    A star fell from heaven and showed me the way
    How to be contented and gay
    For it brought me love.
    It whispered to me you are wonderful, beautiful, heavenly
    And you are mine, dear.
    A star fell from heaven and soon made me see
    That you had been waiting for me.
    How I thank my star

    A Star Fell From Heaven

    May/Neubach/Feiner (Albert)

    This song was recorded by famous Jewish lyric tenor Josef Schmidt in the movie of the same name in 1936. It was one of my grandmother’s favourite songs; I have always felt a desire to honour lovely music from bygone eras and endeavour to bring them back to life. Singing this song always makes me smile – it brings back sweet memories and the music is so lilting, light and pretty.

  • The Air That I BreatheSong notesLyrics

    The Air That I Breathe

    If I could make a wish, I think I’d pass.
    Can’t think of anything I need.
    No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound,
    Nothing to eat, no books to read.

    Making love with you has left me peaceful, warm and tired.
    What more could I ask? There’s nothing left to be
    Desired.
    Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak.
    So sleep, silent angel, go to sleep.

    Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe and to
    Love you.
    All I need is the air that I breathe, yes to love you.
    All I need is the air that I breathe.
    Ah’Ah’

    Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak.
    So sleep, silent angel, go to sleep.

    All I need is the air that I breathe and to love you
    All I need is the air that I breathe, yes to love you.
    All I need is the air that I breathe.
    Ah’Ah’

    Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak.
    So sleep, silent angel, go to sleep.

    The Air That I Breathe

    Hazlewood /Hammond (Universal)

    Although made a hit by the Hollies in the 1970’s, it was Olivia Newton-John’s version which came to my attention as a teenager. I loved everything she did and enjoyed singing along to many of her hits over the years. I have always enjoyed singing power ballads and this arrangement really provided me with an opportunity to show my vocal range and dynamics.

  • When I DreamSong notesLyrics

    When I Dream

    I could have a mansion that is higher than the trees.
    I could have all the gifts I want and never ask please.
    I could fly to Paris, oh that’s at my beck and call.
    Why do I go through life with nothing at all?

    But when I dream, I dream of you.
    Maybe someday you will come true.
    But when I dream, I dream of you.
    Maybe someday you will come true.

    I can be the singer or the clown in every room.
    I can even call someone to take me to the moon.
    I can put my makeup on and drive a man insane.
    I can go to bed alone and never know his name.

    But when I dream, I dream of you.
    Maybe someday you will come true.

    But when I dream, I dream of you.
    Maybe someday you will come true

    When I Dream

    Theoret (Universal)

    I have been singing and performing this delicately crafted song by Sandy Theoret since I was 12 and it has taken on different meanings for me throughout my life. I first performed it on ABC TVs Country Road program when I was 18 and I’ve always related to the gentle, whimsical nature of the music and lyrics.

  • Hymne A L’Amour (If You Love Me)Song notesLyrics

    Hymne A L’Amour (If You Love Me)

    If the sun should tumble from the sky,
    If the sea should suddenly run dry,
    If you love me, really love me,
    Let it happen. I won’t care.

    If it seems that everything is lost,
    I would smile and never count the cost,
    If you love me, really love me,
    Let it happen. I won’t care.

    Shall I catch a shooting star?
    Shall I bring it where you are?
    If you want me to, I will,
    You can set me any task, I’ll do anything you ask
    If you’ll only love me still.

    When at last our life on earth is through,
    I will share eternity with you
    If you love me, really love me,
    Then whatever happens, I won’t care.

    J’irais jusqu’ au bout du monde,
    Je me ferais teindre-en blonde,
    Si tu me le demandais.
    On peut bien rire de moi,
    Je ferais n’ importe quoi,
    Si tu me le demandais.

    When at last our life on earth is through,
    I will share eternity with you
    If you love me, really love me,
    Then whatever happens, I won’t care

    Hymne A L’Amour (If You Love Me)

    Monnot /Piaf/Parsons (Albert)

    I am a huge Edith Piaf fan for her passion and ability to communicate emotion in a song. There will never be another Piaf, though I aspire to reaching the heights and depths of emotion revealed in her live performances. The lyrics of this song may appear simplistic, (in French they sound anything but); however, to me they communicate a desperation and vulnerability only experienced by one utterly lost in love. I find it pure joy to perform.

  • Elizabethan SerenadeSong notesLyrics

    Elizabethan Serenade

    Where the gentle Avon flows,
    And a trailing rambler grows,
    There’s a window shining into the night,
    And a casement curtain flutters and blows in candle light

    And a girl sits listening there
    To a haunting old world air
    As if someone played so softly below.
    All entranced, she hears that sweet serenade of long ago

    All the while her wonder grows
    As that music comes and goes
    Ah. What magic makes this rare delight
    Her calling awakes the midsummer night

    Who can it be playing out there,
    Playing for me such a sweet air!
    Clavicord bells tinkling in time,
    Why do you chime? Why do you ring ding ding?
    Tell me, minstrel; tell me the tale of love you sing!

    Phantom answer came there none,
    But she waited on and on
    Till her window grew bright with dawn’s early glow,
    And that bygone lover haunting the night was silent below.

    He no longer played that sweet serenade of long ago.
    Sweet serenade of long ago

    Elizabethan Serenade

    Binge (Universal)

    Composed by Ronald Binge and, when first played by the Mantovani orchestra in 1951, this song was titled “Andante cantabile”. The name was altered by the composer to reflect the optimism of the new Elizabethan age beginning with the Accession of Queen Elizabeth in 1952. I fell in love with this song when I was 12 performing it as a member of a massed schools choir at the Brisbane City Hall.

  • Parlez-Moi D’Amour (Speak To Me Of Love)Song notesLyrics

    Parlez-Moi D’Amour (Speak To Me Of Love)

    I want to hear, to hear those words that are so dear.
    I want to hear you say ‘I love you by all the little stars above you’.
    Your voice is like a fond caress,
    It thrills me till I must confess,
    I long to hear the voice that brings me
    such thrilling love and happiness.

    Speak to me of love and say what I’m longing to hear,
    Tender words of love repeat them again I implore you
    Speak to me of love and whisper these words to me, ‘Dear I adore you’.

    Parlez-moi d’amour,
    Redites-moi des choses tendres
    Votre beau discours,
    Mon coeur n’est pas las de l’entendre
    Pour que toujours,
    Vous répétiez ces mots suprémes,
    ‘Je vous aime.

    Parlez-Moi D’Amour (Speak To Me Of Love)

    Lenoir/Neuburger (Warner/Chappell)

    Written by Jean Lenoir in 1930, this beautiful song has been often recorded and used in movies, most recently in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. I just love the pure romance of it.

  • Ballade Pour AdelineSong notesLyrics

    Ballade Pour Adeline

    Love songs which were my songs
    Are alone now in my mind
    Love songs which were her songs
    Are forever Adeline

    Like sunshine takes darkness to a new state,
    Her ballad puts reason into my fate.

    Like sunshine takes darkness to a new state,
    Her ballad puts reason into my fate.
    Chansons ne sont que chansons
    Quand on écrit de l’amour
    Comment d’écrire des chansons
    De la femme qui est l’amour?

    Love songs which were her songs
    Are forever Adeline, Adeline, Adeline

    Ballade Pour Adeline

    De Senneville/Toussaint Lyrics by Waddell (Warner/Chappell)

    The instrumental piece was composed in 1976 by Paul de Senneville and Olivier Toussaint;  Paul de Senneville composed the piece as a tribute to his new-born daughter Adeline. The first recording was by Richard Clayderman and world-wide sales have reached over 22 million. The lyrics were written for me by Neil Waddell. It is a gorgeous ballad and I fell I love with it as soon as I heard it.

  • WordsSong notesLyrics

    Words

    Words don’t come easy to me,
    How can I find a way to make you see
    I love you! Words don’t come easy
    Words don’t come easy to me,
    This is the only way for me to say
    I love you! Words don’t come easy

    Well I’m just a music fan.
    Melody’s so far my best friend,
    But my words are coming out wrong,
    And I reveal my heart to you and
    Hope that you believe it’s true, ’cause
    Words don’t come easy to me,
    How can I find a way to make you see
    I love you! Words don’t come easy

    This is just a simple song,
    That I make for you on my own.
    There’s no hidden meaning, you know,
    And when I say ‘I love you’ honey,
    Please believe I really do.

    Words don’t come easy to me,
    How can I find a way to make you see
    I love you! Words don’t come easy
    It isn’t easy. Words don’t come easy

    Words

    Fitoussi/Yaguda/Kupersmith (Universal)

    Written by F.R. David in 1982, this song was a huge hit in Europe. I think the record company executives thought this song would provide a modern dimension to the track listing and show my versatility. Including it was admittedly out of my comfort zone but it turned out to be a lot of fun to sing.

  • The Water Is Wide (O Waly Waly)Song notesLyrics

    The Water Is Wide (O Waly Waly)

    The water is wide, I cannot get over
    And neither have I wings to fly.
    Give me a boat that can carry two
    And both shall row my love and I.

    I put my hand into some soft bush
    thinking the sweetest flower to find.
    I pricked my finger to the bone
    and left the sweetest flower alone.

    I leaned my back up against some oak
    Thinking that he was a trusty tree,
    But first he bended and then he broke,
    And so did my false love to me.

    A ship there is and she sails the sea.
    She’s loaded deep as deep can be,
    But not so deep as the love I’m in.
    I know not how to sink or swim.

    O love is handsome and love is fine,
    And love’s a jewel while it is new.
    But love grows old and it waxes cold,
    and fades away like morning dew

    The Water Is Wide (O Waly Waly)

    Trad/ Wilkes (Essex)

    This song dates back to the 1600s – the English, Scots and Irish all seem to have claimed it. I’ve been singing it since I was about 8 when I first started to develop a passion for Celtic music. My heritage is English, Scottish and Welsh and I feel a real affinity with folk music – my voice feels like it was created to sing it. I have always been used to performing it simply, just with guitar so this arrangement was a huge departure for me – a very dramatic treatment.

  • Plaisir D’AmourSong notesLyrics

    Plaisir D’Amour

    Plaisir d’amour ne dure qu’un moment,
    Chagrin d’amour dure toute la vie
    J’ai tout quitté pour l’ingrate Sylvie,
    Elle me quitte et prend un autre amant!
    Plaisir d’amour ne dure qu’un moment,
    Chagrin d’amour dure toute la vie.
    ‘Tant que cette eau coulera doucement
    Vers ce ruisseau qui borde la prairie.
    Je t’aimerai,’ me répétait Sylvie.
    L’eau coule encore, elle a changé pourtant.
    Plaisir d’amour ne dure qu’un moment,
    Chagrin d’amour dure toute la vie.

    English translation
    The pleasure of love lasts only a moment
    The pain of love lasts a lifetime.
    I gave up everything for ungrateful Sylvia,
    She is leaving me for another lover.
    The pleasure of love lasts only a moment,
    The pain of love lasts a lifetime.
    “As long as this water will run gently
    Towards this brook which borders the meadow,
    I will love you”, Sylvia told me repeatedly.
    The water still runs, but she has changed.
    The pleasure of love lasts only a moment,
    The pain of love lasts a lifetime.

    Plaisir D’Amour

    Martini/ Wilkes (Essex)

    Written by Martini in 1780, I’ve been singing this delicate classical French love song since I was about 12 – on stage, on TV, with orchestras, solo piano, guitar. I love them all. It is a sublime melody. Singing in French is exquisite –something about the shape of the words, so expressive, passionate, grand, and emotive – heavenly for a singer. I first performed it publicly on my TV special “In Person” on ABC TV in 1982.

  • What To Do Till ForeverSong notesLyrics

    What To Do Till Forever

    What to do till forever,
    How to live for today,
    Searching still for tomorrow,
    Loving you more than I can say.

    You’re using the same masquerade,
    Acting out the old scene you played
    Please don’t go now.
    Stay this time and stop me wondering.

    What to do till forever,
    How to live for today,
    Searching still for tomorrow,
    Loving you more than I can say.

    Let me be part of this play.
    Won’t forget my lines if you say
    You love me.
    Say it once, and then I’ll know.

    What to do till forever,
    How to live for today,
    Searching still for tomorrow,
    Loving you more than I can say.
    Loving you more than I can say.

    What To Do Till Forever

    S. Clachair (Clachair)

    I wrote this song as a teenager – one of the first I ever wrote. Legendary guitarist Tommy Emmanuel’s solo performance on this track was pivotal in injecting life and drama into the arrangement and really “lifting” the lyrics. I was thrilled with the outcome.

Serenade

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  • Song for LibertySong notesLyrics

    Song for Liberty

    When you sing. I’m singing with you liberty
    When you cry. I cry with you in sorrow
    When you suffer. I’m praying for you liberty
    For your struggles will bring us a new tomorrow

    Days of sad darkness and fear must one day crumble
    For the force of your kindness and love make them tremble

    When you sing. I’m singing with you liberty
    In the void of your absence, I keep searching for you

    Who are you ‘ dream, illusion or just reality?
    Faith, ideal or desire, revolution?
    I believe you’re the symbol of our humanity
    Lighting up the world for eternity

    I can see why men die to defend you
    Try to guard, to protect and attend you

    When you sing, I’m singing with you liberty
    With your tears or your joys, I love you

    Let us sing and rejoice, make our own history
    Songs of hope. With one voice guide us to victory
    Liberty. Liberty

    Song for Liberty

    Verdi/Delanoe/Lemesle/Johns/Goraguer/Arr. by Alan Goraguer

    comes from the famously beautiful piece from Verdi’s 1841 Opera Nabucco, also known as “Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves”. The accompanying lyrics were written in 1970 by Pierre Delanoë and Claude Lemesle, arranged by Alain Goraguer and performed by Nana Mouskouri. In 1990, it was very familiar to listeners, having been used for the British Airways commercial. Sony thought the timing was perfect for me to record my version.

  • ButterflySong notesLyrics

    Butterfly

    Tu me dis loin des yeux, loin du coeur
    Tu me dis qu’on oublie le meilleur
    Malgré les horizons, je sais qu’elle m’aime encore
    Cette fille que j’avais surnommée

    Butterfly, my butterfly
    Dans un mois, je reviendrai
    Butterfly, my butterfly
    Près de toi je resterai

    L’océan c’est petit, tous petit
    Pour deux coeur ou l’amour a grandi
    Malgré ce que tu dis, tu vois j’elle m’aime encore
    Cette fille que j’avais enlacée

    Butterfly, my butterfly
    Dans un mois, je reviendrai
    Butterfly, my butterfly
    Près de toi je resterai

    Notre amour est si grand, oui si grand
    Que le ciel étreindrait tous dedans
    Malgré ce que tu dis, je sais qu’elle m’aime encore
    Cette fille que j’avais embrassée

    Butterfly, my butterfly
    Dans un mois, je reviendrai
    Butterfly, my butterfly
    Près de toi je resterai
    Près de toi je resterai

    Butterfly

    Danyel Gerard/H. Barnes/R. Bernet

    I was first introduced to this cute song when I was 15 and learning to speak French at high school. I sang it for a Bastille Day Talent Quest and won first prize! It was also included in my “In Person” TV special a decade later when I performed it as a duet with a gorgeous French singer. It has really stood the test of time and is another dear friend.

  • The Three Bells (The Jimmy Brown Song)Song notesLyrics

    The Three Bells (The Jimmy Brown Song)

    There’s a village hidden deep in the valley
    Among the pine trees half forlorn
    And there on a sunny morning
    Little Jimmy Brown was born

    All the chapel bells were ringing in the little valley town
    And the song that they were singing was for baby Jimmy Brown
    Then the little congregation prayed for guidance from above
    Lead us not into temptation
    Bless this hour of meditation
    Guide him with eternal love

    There’s a village hidden deep in the valley
    Beneath the mountains high above
    And there twenty years thereafter
    Jimmy was to meet his love

    All the chapel bells were ringing in the little valley town
    And the song that they were singing was for baby Jimmy Brown
    Then the little congregation prayed for guidance from above
    Lead us not into temptation
    Bless Oh Lord this celebration
    May their lives be filled with love

    From the village hidden deep in the valley
    One rainy morning dark and grey
    A soul winged its way to heaven
    Jimmy Brown had passed away

    All the chapel bells were ringing in the little valley town
    And the song that they were singing was for baby Jimmy Brown
    Then the little congregation prayed for guidance from above
    Lead us not into temptation
    May his soul find the salvation
    Of Thy great eternal love

    The Three Bells (The Jimmy Brown Song)

    Jean Villard/Bert Reisfeld

    My appreciation of Nana Mouskouri’s voice and ability to cover just about anything and make it unique to her is boundless.  I cannot count the number of songs I give her thanks for introducing me to as I was growing up. The Three Bells is just one of those unforgettable gems.

  • Song Of The GiftSong notesLyrics

    Song Of The Gift

    O sibh ris a chrann is am
    monadh is gleann,
    O sibh bho’n a mhachair tha mo
    shoraidh oirbh fhéin,
    Air mhuir againn is lear theid mi
    ri mo chailin,
    Cuir ise agair orm, mo chridh’ is
    mo leannan.

    Cuir an tabhartas oirbh an
    tabhartas dearbh tìme,
    Fiòr is dìleas tha e, cum sibh
    na d’ chuimhne mi fhéin,
    Cha dhèanam riamh dearmad theid
    mi sgrìob ma-ta mór,
    Tha tabhartas ma oirbh togail
    Mi rìbh taigh fhéin.

    Oh ye of the harrow the glen and the dell
    Oh ye of the meadow I bid thee farewell
    I go to my bonnie with heart gold and fair
    O’er the sea to my laddie. He beckons me there

    So this gift I leave thee to hold dear and true
    The sweet gift of morning that ever we knew
    So ye’ll nay forget me though far I may roam
    ‘Tis this gift I leave thee to carry me home

    The mist o’er the heather shall nay bring him near
    The lock whispers gently though none but I hear
    Then seize now the flower that yet blooms so sweet
    True pleasures of auld lie beneath waters deep

    So this gift I leave thee to hold dear and true
    The sweet gift of morning that ever we knew
    So ye’ll nay forget me though far I may roam
    ‘Tis this gift I leave thee to carry me home

    Song Of The Gift

    Garry McDonald/Laurie Stone

    Over the years, I had worked quite a bit with Brisbane-based composers Garry McDonald and Laurie Stone. In fact that commercial featuring “Barcarolle” which kicked off my recording career was produced by this power duo. Around that same time, I was asked to record a demo of their composition for a new Australian movie called “Playing Beattie Bow”. It was called “Song of the Gift” and half of it was written in Gaelic. I jumped at the chance to learn to sing in another language, especially one which resonated with the origin of my maiden name, Clachair, which is Scottish Gaelic. I never forgot how haunting this song was and how deeply it affected me. I had to record it for myself and I’m so glad I did.

  • The HeartSong notesLyrics

    The Heart

    The heart is a funny thing
    With a mind all its own
    It withers like a garden
    Left untended and alone
    And the thorns of loneliness invade
    And destroy what they can’t steal

    So easy to hurt
    But oh so hard to heal

    I know, I’ve had it happen to me
    Time and time again
    And it feels just like being turned down
    But your one and only friend
    So don’t fool yourself by saying
    That it won’t hurt
    The pain’s not real

    So easy to hurt
    But oh so hard to heal

    So don’t fool yourself by saying
    That it won’t hurt
    The pain’s not real

    So easy to hurt
    But oh so hard to heal
    So easy to hurt
    But oh so hard to heal
    Hard to heal

    The Heart

    Larry Gatlin

    I have always been a fan of cross-over or modern country ballads. I enjoyed many artists of this genre as I grew up including Anne Murray, Linda Ronstadt, Crystal Gayle, Olivia Newton-John, Suzanne Prentice, Dolly Parton, to name a few. Learning to play guitar from age 12 really encouraged this appreciation and Larry Gatlin’s “The Heart” was always a firm favourite.

  • Tristesse (So Deep Is The Night)Song notesLyrics

    Tristesse (So Deep Is The Night)

    So deep is the night
    No moon tonight
    No friendly star to guide me with its light
    Be still my heart
    Silent lest my love should be returning
    From a world far apart

    So deep is the night
    O lonely night
    On broken wings my heart has taken flight
    And left a dream

    In my dream our lips are blending
    Will my dream be never-ending?
    Will your mem’ry haunt me till I die?
    Alone am I
    Deep into the night
    Waiting for the light
    Alone am I
    I wonder why?
    Deep is the night

    Il n’est pas sans toi que j’aime
    Un seul jour, une heure même
    Ou vers toi tout vibrant du désir
    De te chérir

    Je dis sans retour
    Reviens mon amour
    De tout mon coeur
    De tout mon coeur
    J’attends ce jour

    Tristesse (So Deep Is The Night)

    Chopin/J. Marietti/A. Viaud

    My beautiful Grandmother Olive taught me to sing this song when I was a little girl as she accompanied me on piano. Based on Chopin’s Étude Op. 10, No. 3, it was featured in a 1944 movie based on Chopin’s life called “A Song to Remember” starring Cornel Wilde and Merle Oberon and also sung by Webster Booth and Anne Ziegler in a 1946 British comedy film titled “Demobbed”. It is glorious and has enormous sentimental value for me. It was also the first single off Serenade.

  • I’ll Be Your EyesSong notesLyrics

    I’ll Be Your Eyes

    You close your eyes. The sky falls
    I watch you build invisible walls
    When you believe that the world has lost its heart
    Noone can blame you for falling apart
    Have faith

    I’ll be your eyes
    When you can’t see the light
    When your tears blind your sight
    Like a candle I will show the way
    I’ll be your eyes when the truth’s hard to find
    When your heart cheats your mind
    When the dream dies
    I’ll be your eyes

    After all, you’re flesh and blood
    And when you fall, hold onto love
    All of your life you’ve been strong. You’ve been proud
    A lonely island. Apart from the crowd
    Have faith

    I’ll be your eyes
    When you can’t see the light
    When your tears blind your sight
    Like a candle I will show the way
    I’ll be your eyes when the truth’s hard to find
    When your heart cheats your mind
    When the dream dies
    I’ll be your eyes
    When you can’t see the light
    When your tears blind your sight
    Like a candle I will show the way
    I’ll be your eyes
    When the truth’s hard to find
    When your heart cheats your mind
    When the dream dies. I’ll be your eyes
    I’ll be your eyes

    I’ll Be Your Eyes

    Pamela Phillips Oland/Paul Janz

    A Sony A&R Director found this inspiring song (written by Pamela Phillips Orland and Paul Janz) for me. I loved it the first time I heard it and even more so every time I performed it.

  • Song From Moulin RougeSong notesLyrics

    Song From Moulin Rouge

    Moulin des amours, tu tournes tes ailes
    Au ciel des beaux jours, moulin des amours
    Mon coeur a dansé sur tes ritournelles
    Sans même y penser, mon coeur a dansé

    Ah! Mon Dieu! Qu’ils étaient jolis
    Les yeux qui valsaient dans les miens
    On s’aimait presque à la folie
    Et cet amour te plaisait bien

    Des mots de bonheur chantaient sur tes ailes
    Des mots de bonheur simples comme nos coeurs

    Que de fois l’ on a répété
    Ces mots qui chantaient dans nos coeurs
    Et pourtant que m’est-il resté
    De tant de rêves de bonheur?
    Un simple moulin qui tourne ses ailes
    Un simple moulin, Rouge comme mon coeur!
    Rouge comme mon coeur!

    Song From Moulin Rouge

    Georges Auric/ Jacques Larue

    A number 1 hit from the movie “Moulin Rouge” in 1952, this song has a mellifluous, hypnotic feel, particularly when sung in French. I feel tres Francais when I sing it.

  • A Loving HeartSong notesLyrics

    A Loving Heart

    I know you’re sad and weary now. You find yourself alone
    Love has let you down again. Your heart is like a stone
    I’ve always known that you were strong.
    You’ve never let me down
    Just remember when you call. I’ll be around

    Chorus
    Don’t stop believing. I am here
    I love you. Please believe
    My love goes with you no matter where you are
    Come to me whenever you need a loving heart

    Faded memories of the past fill your heart and soul
    And glimpses of elusive dreams make you feel so cold
    I want to be your warming fire to light your misty way
    When there’s noone else around. I’m here to stay

    Chorus
    Don’t stop believing. I am here
    I love you. Please believe
    My love goes with you no matter where you are
    Come to me whenever you need a loving heart
    Loving heart. Loving heart

    A Loving Heart

    S. Clachair

    I wrote this song for a dear friend and Garth and I spent a lot of time figuring out how best to structure and orchestrate it. I was so ecstatic with the arrangement, I cried when I first heard it. It was exactly how I’d imagined it when I wrote it.

  • Wedding Song (There Is Love)Song notesLyrics

    Wedding Song (There Is Love)

    He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts
    Rest assured this troubadour is acting on his part
    The union of your spirits here has caused him to remain
    For whenever two or more of you are gathered in his name
    There is love. There is love

    Well a man shall leave his mother and a woman leave her home
    They shall travel on to where the two shall be as one
    As it was in the beginning is now and ’til the end
    Woman draws her life from man and gives it back again
    There is love. There is love

    Well then what’s to be the reason for becoming man and wife?
    It is love that brings you here or love that brings you life?
    For if loving is the answer then who’s the giving for?
    Do you believe in something that you’ve never seen before?
    There is love. There is love

    Oh the marriage of your spirits here has caused him to remain
    For whenever two or more of you are gathered in his name
    There is love. There is love
    There is love. There is love

    Wedding Song (There Is Love)

    Paul Stookey

    Written by Paul Stookey, I had sung this song at so many weddings over the years, it was second nature to record it.

  • Amazing GraceSong notesLyrics

    Amazing Grace

    Amazing Grace how sweet the sound
    That saved a wretch like me
    I once was lost but now am found
    Was blind but now I see

    ‘Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear
    And Grace my fears relieved
    How precious did that Grace appear
    The hour I first believed

    Through many dangers toils and snares
    I have already come
    ‘Tis Grace hath brought me safe thus far
    And Grace will lead me home

    When we’ve been there ten thousand years
    Bright shining as the sun
    We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
    Than when we’d first begun

    Amazing Grace how sweet the sound
    That saved a wretch like me
    I once was lost but now I’m found
    Was blind but now I see

    Amazing Grace

    Traditional

    Since aged 7, Amazing Grace had featured highly in my song repertoire. I had performed it hundreds of times at eisteddfods, churches, weddings, even with the Brian May Orchestra on national television after I won ABC-TV’s Quest ‘78 as a 16 year old. It was always going to be a definite inclusion – no argument. It also clearly reflects my heart and my Christian faith.

  • SerenadeSong notesLyrics

    Serenade

    Through the leaves, the night winds moving
    Murmur low and sweet
    To thy chamber window roving
    Love hath led my feet

    Silent prayers of blissful feeling
    Link us though apart
    Link us though apart
    On the breath of music stealing
    To thy dreaming heart
    To thy dreaming heart

    Moonlight on the earth is sleeping
    Winds are rustling low
    Where the darkling streams are creeping
    Dearest let us go
    All the stars keep watch in heaven
    While I sing to thee
    While I sing to thee
    And the night for love is given
    Dearest come to me
    Dearest come to me

    Sadly in the forest mourning
    Wails the whippoorwill
    And the heart for thee is yearning
    Bid it love, be still
    Bid it love, be still
    Bid it love, be still

    Serenade

    Schubert

    Following on from the success of “Barcarolle” it was decided the beautiful classical piece should be included to keep my fans happy and I think Schubert’s Serenade was a great choice. I love performing this song – the music is incredibly passionate and the lyrics so poetic.

  • TodaySong notesLyrics

    Today

    Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine
    I’ll taste your strawberries; I’ll drink your sweet wine
    A million tomorrows shall all pass away
    E’re I forget all the joy that is mine today

    I’ll be a dandy and I’ll be a rover
    You’ll know who I am by the songs that I sing
    I’ll feast at your table. I’ll sleep in your clover
    Who cares what tomorrow shall bring

    Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine
    I’ll taste your strawberries; I’ll drink your sweet wine
    A million tomorrows shall all pass away
    E’re I forget all the joy that is mine today

    I can’t be contented with yesterday’s glory
    I can’t live on promises winter to spring
    Today is my moment. Now is my story
    I’ll laugh and I’ll cry and I’ll sing

    Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine
    I’ll taste your strawberries; I’ll drink your sweet wine
    A million tomorrows shall all pass away
    E’re I forget all the joy that is mine today

    Today

    Randy Sparkes

    Although written and performed by Larry Gatlin, I remember falling in love with John Denver’s version of this song. He was always a very important musical influence on me and I was devastated when he died. I once performed Today on ABC-TV’s Country Road when I was 17 so it was another dear old friend. For me, it straddled country and folk and I always loved singing it with my guitar. Hearing it arranged with strings was awesome.

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  • Don’t Say GoodbyeSong notesLyrics

    Don’t Say Goodbye

    Don’t say goodbye, love
    Still there is spring in the air
    Still you’re my hero
    The one who will always be there

    Don’t say it’s over
    You are my one of a kind
    To lose you reminds me
    That great love is so hard to find

    Every second, every minute
    I want you forever in it
    Won’t let you go
    Oh my love my life be in it
    I’ll do everything to keep it
    I love you so

    Don’t say goodbye, love
    Don’t go without having tried
    We’ll seize the moment
    That lingers like hope deep inside
    Don’t say goodbye

    Don’t say goodbye, love
    Still there is spring in the air
    Still you’re my hero
    The one who will always be there

    Don’t say it’s over
    You are my one of a kind
    To lose you reminds me
    That great love is so hard to find

    Don’t say goodbye
    Don’t say goodbye
    Don’t say goodbye

    Don’t Say Goodbye

    Oddvar Rudd

    this beautiful ballad was written by a fabulous Norwegian composer Oddvar Ruud and was brought to my attention by Sony. I love singing it live for its musical intensity and lyrical sensitivity.

  • LoversSong notesLyrics

    Lovers

    Soldiers in dreams are like lovers who come without warning
    And take you by surprise when you think you must make it alone
    Sooner or later their presence is only a memory
    But you know that without them you’d never have rolled back the stone

    And as lovers lie sleeping, I find myself travelling towards you
    The morning arises, the wind is as soft as a sigh
    And whatever’s before me, is nothing to what I have come through
    The pain and the passion, the tears and the laughs and the lies

    My darling once told me that loving was better than living
    But I told him survival for me was the easier game
    I couldn’t live with him, but now it’s I can’t live without him
    I thought I’d feel different, but somehow I still feel the same

    Soldiers in dreams are like lovers who came without warning
    And take you by surprise when you think you must make it alone
    Sooner or later their presence is only a memory
    But you know that without them you’d never have rolled back the stone
    But you know that without them you’d never have rolled back the stone
    But you know that without them you’d never have rolled back the stone

    Lovers

    Adrian Mannering

    I have a real heart connection with Celtic music and Adrian
    Mannering’s song encapsulates everything that represents for me. It is hauntingly beautiful.

  • La Vie En RoseSong notesLyrics

    La Vie En Rose

    Des yeux qui font baisser les miens
    Un rir’ qui se perd sur sa bouche
    Voilà le portrait sans retouch
    De l’homme auquel j’appartiens

    Take me to your heart again
    Let’s make a start again
    Forgiving and forgetting
    Take me to your heart again
    And leave behind from then
    A life of lone regretting
    Dearest let’s turn back the years
    Let smiles come after tears
    Like sunshine after rain
    I’m yearning for you by night and by day
    Praying I’ll soon hear you saying ‘I Love You’
    Then we’ll never part again
    If you will take me to your heart again

    Il est entré dans mon coeur
    Une part de bonheur
    Dont je connais la cause
    C’est lui pour moi moi pour lui dans la vie
    Il me l’a dit l’a juré pour la vie
    Et dès que je l’a perçois
    Alors je sens en moi mon coeur qui bat
    Mon coeur qui bat

    La Vie En Rose

    Music: Louiguy/English lyrics: F.Eyton-French/Lyrics: E.Piaf

    Written and recorded by the great Edith Piaf in 1947, this quintessentially French song takes you straight to Paris and all the wondrous visual imagery that comes with it. C’est magnifique!

  • Heaven & EarthSong notesLyrics

    Heaven & Earth

    The clock by my bed says it’s ten past three
    I’m so tired of crying but I can’t sleep
    I’m lost in the heartache of losing you
    Would you forgive me if you knew

    Chorus
    I’d move heaven and earth to love you again
    It’s not enough to say we are friends
    Give me a chance to make it right
    I’d move heaven and earth to love you tonight

    Harsh words once spoken can’t be undone
    And I know I’ve hurt you more than once
    But still love you. Please come back to me
    Can I convince you? Make you see

    Chorus
    I’d move heaven and earth to love you again
    It’s not enough to say we are friends
    Give me a chance to make it right
    I’d move heaven and earth to love you tonight

    Heaven and earth. Heaven and earth.
    Heaven and earth. Heaven and earth.
    Heaven and earth. Heaven and earth.

    Chorus
    I’d move heaven and earth to love you again
    It’s not enough to say we are friends
    Give me a chance to make it right
    I’d move heaven and earth to love you tonight
    I’d move heaven and earth to love you tonigh

    Heaven & Earth

    S.Clachair

    I wrote this song about the regret and pain of lost love.

  • She Moved Through The FairSong notesLyrics

    She Moved Through The Fair

    Is e a duirt mo ghra ban liom: ‘Ni bhacfaidh’n mhaithrin
    Is ni mhasloidh m’athair thu ar d’easpasa maoin’,’
    Agus ghlac cupla ceim uaim is seo a duirt si:
    ‘Ni fada, a stoirin, go mbeidh bainis againn.’

    My young love said to me, ‘My mother won’t mind
    And my father won’t slight you for your lack of kind.’
    And she stepp’d away from me and this she did say
    ‘It will not be long love till our wedding day.’

    She went away from me, and she moved through the fair
    And fondly I watched her move here and move there
    Then she went homeward with one star awake ‘
    As the swan in the evening moves over the lake

    The people were saying no two were e’er wed
    But one had a sorrow that never was said
    She went away from me with her goods and her gear
    And that was the last that I saw of my dear

    I dreamed it last night, my dear love came in
    So softly she came that her feet made no din
    She laid her hands on me, and this she did say
    ‘It will not be long love, till our wedding day.’

    She Moved Through The Fair

    Trad. Arr. by S.Clachair & G.Porter/Gaelic Translation by Dr. Sean O Riain

    A tragic piece about lost love, this gem was written in 1909 although the original pre-dates this. Garth Porter began the arrangement with a stylized Gregorian chant which added an additionally eerie overlay. I wanted to sing the first verse a cappella in Irish Gaelic so it was translated for me and I learnt it phonetically. This style of music really gives me goosebumps – I love it.

  • Softly As I Leave YouSong notesLyrics

    Softly As I Leave You

    Softly, I will leave you softly
    For my heart would break
    If you should wake and see me go
    So I leave you softly
    Long before you miss me
    Long before your arms can beg me stay
    For one more hour
    Or one more day
    After all the years
    I can’t bear the tears to fall
    So softly as I leave you there

    Softly As I Leave You

    Lyrics by Hal Shaper/Music by A.De Vita

    Made famous in the 60s by Matt Monro and Frank Sinatra, this heartfelt song speaks to lovers everywhere. Its meaning can be interpreted in different ways as applicable to the listener; such is the power of music.

  • LongerSong notesLyrics

    Longer

    Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean
    Higher than any bird ever flew
    Longer than there’ve been stars up in the heavens
    I’ve been in love with you

    Stronger than any mountains cathedral
    Truer than any tree ever grew
    Deeper than any forest primeval
    I am in love with your

    I’ll bring fire in the winters
    You’ll send showers in the springs
    We’ll fly through the falls and summers
    With love on our wings

    Through the years as the fire starts to mellow
    Burning lines in the book of our lives
    Though the binding cracks and the pages start to yellow
    I’ll be in love with you
    I’ll be in love with you

    Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean
    Higher than any bird ever flew
    Longer than there’ve been stars up in the heavens
    I’ve been in love with you
    I am in love with you

    Longer

    D.Fogelberg

    I have adored Dan Fogelberg’s music for a long time. His exquisitely crafted lyrics and music suit his smoky voice perfectly. My mezzo-soprano voice and version of his beautiful “Longer” are very different – but I hope I’ve done it justice.

  • Yesterday’s DreamsSong notesLyrics

    Yesterday’s Dreams

    Yesterday’s dreams like birds in the winter
    Have gathered together and flown to the sun
    Yesterday’s promises like shells in the ocean
    All shattered and broken like yesterday’s dreams

    You are my harbour, my dream of tomorrow
    My promise of sunshine my shield from the storm
    My sweet companion, we’ll journey together
    And not to be defeated like yesterday’s dreams

    Yesterday’s dreams like birds in the winter
    Have gathered together and flown to the sun
    Yesterday’s promises like shells in the ocean
    All shattered and broken like yesterday’s dreams

    Yesterday’s Dreams

    Tison

    I first fell in love with this gorgeous folk song written by Sylvia Tyson in 1975 for her album Woman’s World, when I was about 12. It has been firmly placed on my repertoire list for some 30 years. Hearing it orchestrated for me for the first time was simply breathtaking.

  • Non, Je Ne Regrette RienSong notesLyrics

    Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien

    No, no regrets
    No we will have no regrets
    As you leave I can say
    Love was king though for only a day

    Non! Rien de rien
    Non! Je ne regrette rien
    C’est payé balayé oublié
    Je me fous du passé

    Avec mes souvenirs
    J’ai allumé le feu
    Mes chagrins, mes plaisirs
    Je n’ai plus besoin d’eux!

    Balayés les amours
    Et tous leurs trémolos
    Balayés pour toujours
    Je repars á zéro

    Non! Rien de rien
    Non! Je ne regrette rien
    Ni le bien qu’on m’a fait
    Ni le mal tout ça m’est bien égal!

    Life still goes on
    Yes, even though love is gone
    One last kiss, shrug and sigh
    No regrets, as we whisper goodbye

    Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien

    French words by Michel Vaucaire/Music by Charles. Dumont/English lyrics by Irving Taylor

    Another salute to the great Edith Piaf, the anthemic quality of this song and the strident resilient message it conveys has the greatest intensity and drama sung live. It is always a moving experience for me to perform it and to experience the effect it has on an audience.

  • Only YouSong notesLyrics

    Only You

    Looking from the window above
    It’s like a story of love
    Can you hear me?
    Came back only yesterday
    I’m moving farther away
    Want you near me
    All I needed was the love you gave
    All I needed for another day
    And all I ever knew, only you

    Sometimes when I think of her name
    When it’s only a game
    And I need you
    Listen to the words that you say
    It’s getting harder to stay
    When I see you

    Chorus

    This is gonna take a long time
    And I wonder what’s mine
    Can’t take any more
    Wonder if you’ll understand
    It’s just the touch of you hand
    Behind a closed door

    All I needed was the love you gave
    All I needed for another day
    And all I ever knew, only you

    All I needed was the love you gave
    All I needed for another day
    And all I ever knew, only you
    And all I ever knew, only you

    Only You

    Clarke

    As a teenager I just as often connected with artists’ voices which sounded the least like mine as those which had a similar timbre and range. Alison Moyet’s voice is pure magic – and polar opposite from mine. It’s always fun to cover original songs which sound very different when I sing them.

  • If I FallSong notesLyrics

    If I Fall

    Somedays I could carry the world on my shoulders
    A strength seems to rise up from within
    But sometimes I feel so fragile
    Like a leaf, I’m at the mercy of a heartless wind
    And I turn to you

    Chorus

    If I fall, broken inside
    Feeling helpless, you lift me up
    If I falter. Above the loudest roar
    You hear me calling. Oh Oh Oh
    If I fall

    Somedays, there seems so much to live for
    The sun is softly shining down
    But sometimes when the shadows fall around me
    It seems like I’m followed by the darkest cloud
    And I turn to you

    Chorus

    When every hope seems all but gone
    You give me the strength to carry on

    If I fall. If I’m broken up inside
    Feeling helpless. You lift me up
    And if I falter. Above the loudest roar
    You hear me calling. Oh Oh Oh
    If I fall. If I fall.

    If I Fall

    S.Clachair/G.Porter

    Garth Porter and I collaborated on this original song. I’ve always been incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received from my family and friends throughout my life and this song speaks of the importance of having that as a mainstay in your life.

  • El-ShaddaiSong notesLyrics

    El-Shaddai

    El-Shaddai El-Shaddai
    El-Elyon na Adonai
    Age to age. You’re still the same
    By the power of the name
    El-Shaddai El-Shaddai
    Erkamka na Adonai

    We will praise and lift You high
    El-Shaddai

    Through Your love
    And through the ram
    You saved the son Abraham
    Through the power of Your hand
    You turned the sea into dry land
    To the outcast on her knees
    You were the God who really sees
    And by Your might You set Your children free

    Chorus

    Through the years You made it clear
    That the time of Christ was near
    Though the people couldn’t see
    What Messiah ought to be
    Though Your word contained the plan
    They just could not understand
    Your most awesome work was done
    Through the frailty of Your Son

    Chorus

    El-Shaddai El-Shaddai
    El-Elyon na Adonai
    Age to age. You’re still the same
    By the power of the name
    El-Shaddai El-Shaddai
    El-Elyon na Adonai
    I will praise you till I die
    El-Shaddai

    El-Shaddai

    M.Card/J.Thompson

    Singing in church has always been a part of my life and I love worship and praise music. This beautiful song means God Almighty and tells the inspiring story of Jesus’ purpose on earth.

  • Power Of LoveSong notesLyrics

    Power Of Love

    The whispers in the morning
    Of lovers sleeping tight
    Are rolling by like thunder now
    As I look in your eyes
    I hold onto your body
    And feel each move you make
    Your voice is warm and tender
    A love that I could not forsake

    Cause I am your lady
    And you are my man
    Whenever you reach for me
    I’ll do all that I can

    Even though there may be times
    It seems I’m far away
    But never wonder where I am
    Cause I am always by your side

    Cause I am your lady
    And you are my man
    Whenever you reach for me
    I’ll do all that I can

    We’re heading for something
    Somewhere I’ve never been
    Sometimes I am frightened
    But I’m ready to learn
    ‘Bout the power of love

    The sound of your heart beating
    Made it clear suddenly
    The feeling that I can’t go on
    Is light years away

    Cause I am your lady
    And you are my man
    Whenever you reach for me
    I’ll do all that I can

    We’re heading for something
    Somewhere I’ve never been
    Sometimes I am frightened
    But I’m ready to learn
    ‘Bout the power of love
    The power of love
    The power of love

    Power Of Love

    C.De Rouge/G.Mende/J.Rush/M.S.Applegate

    Co written and originally recorded by Jennifer Rush in 1984, and then by Celine Dion, this power ballad is magic to perform on stage. It is intense, dramatic and passionate – and a great workout for my voice!

  • I Believe In LoveSong notesLyrics

    I Believe In Love

    I loved those new and wishful years
    Romantic hopes and lovers’ dreams
    Sentimental songs with happy endings
    Do you remember?

    I loved the thought of days to come
    Our lives had only just begun
    We were never apart cause in my heart
    I always knew

    I believed in love and I believed in you
    I believed in love and I believed in you

    Found you sitting there last night
    Weeping like a lonely child
    I felt your breaking heart in the midnight dark
    You looked right through me
    Were you wishing on a star
    That seems so very far away?
    It won’t shine like yesterday. You’ve lost your way
    Don’t be confused

    I believe in love and I believe in you
    I believe in love and I believe in you

    Dreams and wishes don’t always come true
    But keep believing that they will come to you
    Cause hope is eternal and our love will find a way
    Never be mistaken and never be afraid

    Cause I believe in love and I believe in you
    I believe in love and I believe in you
    I believe in love and I believe in you

    I Believe In Love

    S.Clachair

    I wrote this song as encouragement for those whose life circumstances have taken a turn for the worse. The theme is that whatever has transpired and whatever is ahead, love, faith and hope will always keep us strong.

Romance

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  • My Love Is Like A Red Red RoseSong notesLyrics

    My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose

    O my love is like a red red rose
    that’s newly sprung in June
    O my love is like a melody
    That’s sweetly played in tune
    As fair art thou my bonnie ladd.
    So deep in love am I
    And I will love you still my dear
    Till all the seas run dry
    Till all the seas run dry my dear
    And the rocks melt with the sun
    O I will love you still my dear
    While the sands of life shall run
    But fare thee well my only love
    And fare thee well awhile
    And I will come again my love
    Though ’twere ten thousand mile
    Though ’twere ten thousand mile
    My love though ’twere ten thousand mile
    And I will come again my love
    Though ’twere ten thousand mile.

    My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose

    R. Burns Traditional Arr. By Slater/Clachair

    This 1794 folk song by Robert Burns is very close to my heart. Its inclusion on this album is my way of paying homage to my Scottish heritage – and I find the words and music sublime.

  • RomanceSong notesLyrics

    Romance

    Je pense à vous quand je
    m’éveille
    Et de loin je vous suis des yeux
    Je vous revois quand je sommeille
    Dans un songe mystérieux
    Le seul bonheur auquel mon
    coeur aspire
    C’est d’obtenir un aveu des plus
    doux
    Voilà, voilà ce que je veux vous
    dire
    Mais hélas j’ai trop peur de vous

    Quand je guette votre passage
    Lorsque j’espère enfin vous voir
    Je me dis par un doux langage
    Aujourd’hui je veux l’émouvoir
    Je veux je veux dans mon brûlant
    délire
    Dire je t’aime en tombant à
    genoux
    Voila, voila ce que je veux vous
    dire
    Mais hélas j’ai trop peur de vous

    Translation
    I think of you when I awaken
    And from afar our eyes meet
    I see you again when I am sleeping
    In a mysterious dream
    The only happiness to which my heart aspires
    Is to hear your voice so sweet
    There. That is what I would like to tell you
    But alas I am too afraid

    Romance

    Francois Bazin. Libretto by A. Leven-Langle Arr. by Slater/Clachair

    The full title of this French aria is “La romance de Maître Pathelin”  written in 1856 by French opera composer Francois Bazin for his Opéra-comique, Maître Pathelin (Lyrics by Leuven and Langlé). It was famously recorded both by André Dassary (1936) and Tion Rossi (1937). It is the most beautifully written piece and a joy to sing.

  • My Life Will Never Be The SameSong notesLyrics

    My Life Will Never Be The Same

    My life will never be the same
    My heart is burning without shame
    I feel the sun in me
    When you return you’ll see a change
    My heart is whispering your name
    My love is calling once again
    And I shall always be
    all you believe, all you can dream
    I’m not the same

    Some people search all their lives
    I feel that my turn has come
    to reach high into the sky
    And finally, a star shines on me
    Finally, I can touch eternity

    My life will never be the same
    Your love surrounds me once again
    Endless horizons glow
    and show me all I need to know
    Our lives will never be the same
    My love, an everlasting flame
    Burning eternally for you alone
    when you’re with me
    in love eternally for you alone
    when you’re with me, in love again

    My Life Will Never Be The Same

    Rolf Schreuder

    This was used as the very popular theme song sung by the inimitable Mireille Mathieu for the English miniseries “Till We Meet Again” in 1989. It’s a soaring power ballad which modulates in the final chorus and is exhilarating to sing.

  • Last WordsSong notesLyrics

    Last Words

    If you’re trying to find a way to tell me
    To break it to me gently, to say
    that incidentally you can’t stay
    Don’t worry ’bout my heart. I had
    a feeling from the start
    the fairytale would end this way

    Chorus
    Last words. I don’t want to hear
    anymore last words
    Anyway I’ve heard them all before
    So go. Leave me. No need to explain
    From where I stand, every last
    Word means the same

    It’s as clear as the suitcase in the hallway
    You’ve done your deciding.
    No use in hiding that it’s real
    Don’t worry ’bout goodbyes
    For a heart as tired as mine,
    the sentiment is hard to believe

    Chorus

    With each and every breath I take
    I realise that it’s too late
    You’re leaving and there’s
    nothing I can do

    Chorus
    Last words, I don’t want to hear
    anymore last words
    Anyway I’ve heard them all before
    So go, leave me, no need to explain
    From where I stand, every last
    word means the same
    From where I stand every last
    word means the same

    Last Words

    Music and lyrics by Suzanne Clachair

    I wrote this song for this album about the emptiness of lost love. It focuses on the futility of remaining when you’ve made up your mind to leave. Sometimes it’s better to leave quietly and decisively rather than make a sad situation more painful.

  • Hymn To HerSong notesLyrics

    Hymn To Her

    Let me inside you into your room
    I’ve heard it’s lined with the
    things you don’t show
    Lay me beside you, down on the floor
    I’ve been your lover from the womb to the tomb
    I dress as your daughter when the
    moon becomes round
    You’ll be my mother when everything’s gone

    Chorus
    She will always carry on
    Something is lost. Something is
    found
    They will keep on speaking her name
    Some things change. Some stay the same
    Keep beckoning to me
    from behind that closed door
    The maiden, the mother and the
    crone that’s grown old
    I hear your voice coming out of
    that hole
    I listen to you and I want some more
    I listen to you and I want some more

    Chorus

    Let me inside you into your room
    I’ve heard it’s lined with the
    Things you don’t show
    Lay me beside you down on the floor
    I’ve been your lover from the womb to the tomb
    I dress as your daughter when the moon becomes round
    You’ll be my mother when everything’s gone

    Chorus

    Hymn To Her

    M. Keene

    Recorded by The Pretenders in 1986, this beautiful paean to her mother was written by Meg Keene, who was a classmate of Chrissie Hynde’s. With a gentle folk/gospel feel affirming the strength of women and the boundless love between mother and child, it’s a timeless classic that seems to become more meaningful with age. The lyrics and music always resonated with me as a daughter and a mother.

  • Oh, Had I A Golden ThreadSong notesLyrics

    Oh, Had I A Golden Thread

    Oh had I a golden thread and
    needle so fine
    I’d weave a magic strand of
    rainbow design
    Of rainbow design
    In it, I would weave the bravery
    of women giving birth
    In it, I would weave the innocence
    of children over all the earth
    Of children of all earth

    In it, I would weave the
    restlessness of men going
    ever forth
    Through heart of blistering desert
    sands, through blizzards of the
    north
    Through the frozen north

    Show my brothers and sisters
    my rainbow design
    Bind up this sorry world with
    hand and heart and mind
    with hand and heart and mind

    Far over the waters I’d reach my
    magic band
    to every human being so they
    would understand
    So they would understand

    Oh had I a golden thread and
    Needle so fine
    I’d weave a magic strand of
    rainbow design
    Of rainbow design

    Oh, Had I A Golden Thread

    Pete Seeger

    Written in 1958 by Pete Seeger, this song really encapsulates the best of folk music, expressing an intrinsic hope and belief in the goodness of humankind. Most famously recorded by Eva Cassidy, the simple authenticity of the lyrics and uncluttered melody always appealed to me and I chose this song to close my “In Person” special in 1982, accompanied by a string quartet. I always dreamed of recording it.

  • We’ll Gather LilacsSong notesLyrics

    We’ll Gather Lilacs

    Although you’re far away
    And life is sad and grey
    I have a scheme, a dream to try
    I’m thinking dear of you
    And all I meant to do
    When we’re together, you and I
    We’ll soon forget our care and pain
    And find such lovely things to share again

    We’ll gather lilacs in the spring again
    And walk together down an English lane
    Until our hearts have learnt to sing again
    When you come home once more
    And in the evening by the firelight’s glow
    You’ll hold me close and never let me go
    Your eyes will tell me all I want to know
    Then you’ll come home once more

    Then you’ll come home once more
    And in the evening by the firelight’s glow
    You’ll hold me close and never let me go
    Your eyes will tell me all I want to know
    Then you’ll come home once more
    Your eyes will tell me all I want to know
    Then you’ll come home once more

    We’ll Gather Lilacs

    Ivor Novello

    Also called We’ll Gather Lilacs in the Spring, this is a song by Welsh composer Ivor Novello which he wrote for the hit musical romance “Perchance to Dream” in 1945. It was recorded originally by Geraldo and his Orchestra who made the UK charts with it in 1946 and has since been performed by artists including Anne Ziegler and Webster Booth, Richard Tauber, Frank Sinatra and Julie Andrews. Written as World War Two drew to its close the song describes the yearning for parted couples to be reunited with their loved one. It describes the joy of togetherness once again and the pleasures of the English countryside in spring with its lilac blossoms.

  • TillSong notesLyrics

    Till

    Till the moon deserts the sky
    Till all the seas run dry
    Till then I’ll worship you
    Till the tropic-sun grows cold.
    Till this young world grows old
    My darling, I’ll adore you

    You are my reason to live
    All I own I would give
    Just to have you adore me

    Till the rivers flow upstream
    Till lovers cease to dream
    Till then I’m yours, be mine

    Vois s’allumer dans le ciel
    Le serment éternel
    D’un immense je t’aime

    Vois le fabuleux séjour
    Que fera pour toujours
    Le monde à notre amour

    Till

    Carl Sigman/Charles Danvers, French lyrics by P. Buisson and G. Berard

    This popular song with music by Charles Danvers and English lyrics by Carl Sigman was released in 1957 by Percy Faith. It was derived from the French song “Prière Sans Espoir released in 1956 by Lucien Lupi on L’Amour Viendra with original French lyrics written by Pierre Benoit Buisson. In my version, I have included some English and French lyrics which, for me, really heighten the intensity of the song making it a joy to perform.

  • I Just Wanna Dance With YouSong notesLyrics

    I Just Wanna Dance With You

    I don’t wanna be the one who hesitates
    Be too shy, wait too late
    I don’t care what they say other lovers do
    I just wanna dance with you
    Well I’ve got a feelin’ that you’ve
    Got a heart like mine
    Let it show and let it shine
    If we had a chance to make one
    Heart of two
    I just wanna dance with you

    Chorus
    I wanna dance with you
    Twirl you all around the floor
    That’s what they invented
    Dancing for
    I just wanna dance with you
    I wanna dance with you,
    Hold you in my arms once more
    That’s what they invented
    Dancing for
    I just wanna dance with you

    I caught you lookin’ at me when I
    Looked at you
    Yes I did, you know that’s true
    You don’t get embarrassed by the things I do
    I just wanna dance with you
    Now the boys are playing softly
    And the girls are too
    So am I and so are you
    If this was the pictures we’d be right on cue
    I just wanna dance with you

    Chorus

    I Just Wanna Dance With You

    Roger Cooke/John Prine

    is a song written by John Prine and Roger Cook in 1986, and was a hit for American country music singer George Strait. To me this is a really sweet song that simply gives me joy and makes me smile.

  • When My Father Sang Me Irish SongsSong notesLyrics

    When My Father Sang Me Irish Songs

    From my youth comes a memory
    It lingers on like the love my father held for me
    ‘Take my hand,’ he would say to me.
    ‘I’ll take you home to a land you’ve never chanced to see.’

    Chorus
    When my father sang me Irish songs
    Each word became a dream
    His heart would cry a melody
    Through tears of emerald green
    On velvet notes he’d carry me
    To where his heart belongs
    ‘Twas my father’s eyes I saw
    through
    When he sang me Irish songs

    In my mind I have sailed Tralee
    And found a pride that’s grown beyond my fantasy
    In his voice I would bathe in joy
    And feel the pain of the pipes that
    call for Danny Boy

    Chorus

    Close you eyes and listen
    And close your hand in mine
    Can you see the shamrocks
    Can you smell the mulling wine?
    Come dance upon the fiddle and
    Fly within your mind
    To the smiling eyes of Ireland
    Long before they cried

    Chorus

    When My Father Sang Me Irish Songs

    Geoff Wilkes/David McClean

    This song was written for me by the producer of my debut album, Geoff Wilkes (music) and lyricist David McClean, and lovingly brought to life by an inspired arrangement by Alan Slater. When I sing it I’m simply transported and feel like I’m Irish-born.

  • With Love (Nocturne)Song notesLyrics

    With Love (Nocturne)

    With love there’s no ending
    Each moment of each day we
    share a blessing
    A love everlasting
    I’ll love you till the end of time

    With love there’s no parting
    You know I’ll always be with you
    my darling
    There’s no need for sorrow
    This glorious day will last
    forevermore

    And if e’er I must leave you
    Don’t be afraid I’ll be near you
    Far I may journey
    Still will I be with you my darling

    With love there’s tomorrow
    Wherever your love leads me I
    will follow
    Today and forever
    I’ll love you till the end of time
    Far I may journey
    Still will I be near you my darling
    With love there’s tomorrow
    Wherever your love leads me I will follow
    Today and forever
    True love has never need to say goodbye
    I’ll love you till the day I die

    With Love (Nocturne)

    F. Chopin/Lyrics by Suzanne Clachair

    Chopin composed his most popular Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2 between 1830 and 1832. This was the theme used for a1956 biopic of band leader and pianist Eddy Duchin, The Eddy Duchin Story which was one of the highest-grossing films of 1956. After viewing the film, I was immediately moved and inspired to write lyrics for Nocturne which came (uncharacteristically) in about 20 minutes. The lyrics reflect my feelings about this man’s extraordinary, yet tragic life.

  • ShelterSong notesLyrics

    Shelter

    I’m drowning in the sunshine
    as it pours down from the skies
    There’s something stirring in my
    heart
    Bright colours fill my eyes
    As from here to the far horizon
    Your beauty does unfold
    And oh you look so lovely
    Dressed in green and gold

    And I can almost touch the ocean
    shimmering in the distant haze
    As I stand here on this mountain
    on this loveliest day of days
    In the wind I hear a whisper-
    It’s calling out my name
    And wherever I may wander
    I’ll come home to you again

    To the homeless and the hungry
    may you always open doors
    May the restless and the weary
    find safe harbour on your shores
    May you always be my dreamtime
    place

    Our spirits’ glad release
    May you always be our shelter
    May we always live in peace

    Repeat first verse

    Shelter

    Eric Bogle

    The senior statesman of the Australian folk scene Eric Bogel wrote this heartfelt anthem for his adopted country. With Eric’s kind permission I altered the lyrics just a little to suit my perspective; I wanted my arrangement to be anthemic and I feel a swell of Aussie pride every time I perform it.

  • Scarlet RibbonsSong notesLyrics

    Scarlet Ribbons

    I peeked in to say goodnight
    And then I heard my child in prayer
    ‘And for me some scarlet ribbons, scarlet ribbons for my hair.’
    All the stores were closed and shuttered
    All the streets were dark and bare
    In our town no scarlet ribbons
    Not one ribbon for her hair

    Through the night my heart was aching
    Just before the dawn was breaking
    I peeked in and on her bed
    In gay profusion lying there
    Lovely ribbons, scarlet ribbons
    Scarlet ribbons for her hair

    If I live to be a hundred
    I will never know from where
    came those lovely scarlet ribbons
    Scarlet ribbons for her hair.

    Scarlet Ribbons

    Evelyn Danzig/Jack Segal

    Written by Evelyn Danzig (music) and Jack Segal (lyrics) in 1949, the song tells a miraculous tale: a father hears his little girl pray before she goes to bed for “scarlet ribbons for her hair”. Because it is late and no stores are open, he cannot obtain the ribbons so he is distraught throughout the night. At dawn he peeps in and is amazed to see “scarlet ribbons” in “gay profusion lying there.” He says that if he lives to be a hundred, he will never know from where the ribbons came. To me this is a beautiful allegory for something in which I firmly believe – God’s answer to prayer.

Customer Reviews

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Believe in Love is stunning.

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ Your CD, ‘Believe in Love’ is quite simply stunning. I have played it several times and that beautiful, haunting quality of your voice conveys the emotion of each song in the way the individual composers would have wanted. Thank you so much for the happiness you have brought into my life.”
- William

The magic of your voice

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ I am sure there must be thousands of your devoted fans like me, who will always be thrilled and entranced by the magic of your voice.”
- Hal

Most melting sounds I’ve ever heard.

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ Your songs on “Barcarolle” will forever remain some of the most melting sounds I’ve ever heard.”
- Douglas

Easy to listen singing.

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ Absolutely loving your clear, easy to listen singing”
- Gladys

I lose myself in your music.

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ Thank you Suzanne for the pleasure of your beautiful, superb voice. We have almost worn out ‘Romance’. I lose myself in your music.”
- Susan

Daily enjoyment of your gifts

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ Many thanks for our daily enjoyment of your gifts, Suzanne.”
- Sandy

Thank you for the joy.

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ Thank you for the joy your voice has provided for so many people.”
- Jay

Your music is a delight

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ Thankyou Suzanne. Your music is a delight.”
- Doreen

Heard ‘Song for Liberty’

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ I just heard ‘Song for Liberty’ and the hairs on the back of my neck are still standing on end.”
- Matthew

Listening to your wonderful voice.

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ Thanks for giving us pleasure in listening to your wonderful voice. We reckon you must have been first in the queue when God handed out singing voices.”
- Ron

Thanks so much Suzanne.

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ Thanks so much Suzanne. I look forward every day to lying back in my recliner chair, pouring a nice glass of red and enjoying your wonderful music.”
- Harry

I was totally captivated

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ I was totally captivated by your rendition of ‘Tristesse’. It was without a doubt the most beautiful I have heard. You have the most exquisite voice”
- Maureen

I enjoy listening to your songs

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ I enjoy listening to your songs so much as your voice has a clarity and purity I absolutely love.”
- Bob

We get great pleasure

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ We get great pleasure in listening to you sing Suzanne. Thank you.”
- Joyce

Your voice is just magnificent.

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ Your voice is just magnificent.”
- Elaine

You do such a superb job

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ I love your version of ‘Song for Liberty’. It is a beautiful song and you do such a superb job of it that every time it comes on, I turn the radio up so loud it just seeps in through my skin.”
- Patricia

Thank you Suzanne

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ Thank you Suzanne. I want to express our gratitude for the immense pleasure given to my wife and me by your music”
- Tom

I love listening

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ I love listening to your glorious music.”
- David

‘Amazing Grace’ is the best

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ Your rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ is the best I have heard and I am buying it for my wife which I know she will treasure. Thank you for the pleasure you give to us all”
- Peter

Your CD ‘Romance’ is everything

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ Your CD ‘Romance’ is everything I could wish for – sweet, romantic and beautiful. I am your number one fan.”
- Leonard

Your voice has a heavenly quality

Service
Sunday, February 12, 2017
★★★★★
“ Your voice has a heavenly quality of loveliness. Each time I listen to it I experience a frisson of delight up and down my spine. All of us have bad days in our lives for a variety of reasons but I have a sure fire remedy to dispel the blues and that is quite simply to listen to your glorious voice.”
- Bill

Romance

Believe In Love
Friday, February 17, 2017
★★★★★
“ Love it. The songs are all so beautiful.”
- maz

Your beautiful voice

Believe In Love
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
★★★★★
“ Your beautiful voice nestles gently in my heart and brings a calm release so thanks for the connection.”
- Gerri

Sings like an angel

Believe In Love
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
★★★★★
“ This woman sings like an angel the best voice I have ever heard”
- Carol

Wonderful feeling

Believe In Love
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
★★★★★
“ Serenade is playing in my house again. It's like coming alive again or better than that, emerging from a cocoon... wonderful feeling.”
- Gloria

World class

Believe In Love
Friday, May 5, 2017
★★★★★
“ “Serenade” is just a beautiful album – world class – with every song a winner.”
- Trish

Amazing

Welcome to my website!
Thursday, May 11, 2017
★★★★★
“ Her voice is beyond compare.”
- Madeleine

Simply amazing

Welcome to my website!
Friday, June 2, 2017
★★★★★
“ Beautiful songs. Stunning voice.”
- Charles

Stunning, clear voice

Suzanne Clachair
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
★★★★★
“ Just wanted to say thanks for your stunning clear voice, you make an old man very happy listening to you.”
- Kevin

Never tire of listening

Suzanne Clachair
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
★★★★★
“ My first purchase set up an obsession... I have all Suzanne's CDs. I never tire of listening to her songs. I love hearing the purity of her voice”
- Rhonda

Years of Listening Pleasure

Suzanne Clachair
Monday, November 27, 2017
★★★★★
“ I have been listening to Suzanne for more years than I choose to remember. Her singing is so clear, so perfect it makes you believe that she is an Angel. I originally bought one CD and then had to buy the next CD. I have been listening to them for so many years. I have now bought the other two CDs and after listening to one of them, I just wish Suzanne had made more. If there is one singer I would like to meet and hear in person, it is Suzanne.”
- Bob

Amazing

Suzanne Clachair
Saturday, January 13, 2018
★★★★★
“ Suzanne Clachair has a beautiful haunting voice that I have admired since the early 90s. My first album was (SERENADE) which I still listen to daily. Truly a great singer”
- Robert Sanders

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Album Notes


  • Barcarolle
  • Serenade
  • Believe In Love
  • Romance
Barcarolle

Produced and arranged by Geoff Wilkes
(P)(C) 2013 Suzanne Clachair
SCL-1

This, my debut album, produced in 1988 when I was 27, was for me the culmination of around 20 years of planning, dreaming, visioning and hoping that one day I would put down an album of my most beloved songs. I had been collecting, practising and polishing track titles for this express purpose from about age10. I remember the hours my wonderful Mum and I used to spend together choosing songs in the exact right keys which best suited my voice.

Despite having had about 17 years of live performance experience on stage and TV in a variety of circumstances, whether it was just me and my guitar at a local charity gig or wedding; belting a power ballad with a show band; singing to a backing track or with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra; facing cameras on my own TV special or standing in a studio recording a jingle; I had never made an entire album of my own - and that was what I had always so wanted to do!

I had also spent many years devoted to tertiary education and training in Business – Communication and Public Relations and Education and then employment as a Marketing Manager and later, a high school teacher. But I never stopped singing or gave up on the dream of recording my voice. I just kept practising, writing and finding opportunities to hone my craft whenever I could.

And so it happened that a beautiful orchestral arrangement of a 60-second jingle I recorded (for a luxury property development on Queensland’s Gold Coast) opened the door to the recording career I had always dreamed of. That track was “Barcarolle” and the public response was unprecedented according to the TV stations, record stores and advertising agency. Requests for “that song” kept coming in so, taking a chance on me, Warner Records signed me to record an entire album titled “Barcarolle”. Finally, my dream was coming true! I would finally have the chance to record 12 beautiful songs - I was ecstatic!
After a long process of deliberating and culling, those final 12 songs came from a wide variety of sources such as: my favourite performing artists’ albums (i.e. Nana Mouskouri, Crystal Gayle, Edith Piaf, Olivia Newton-John, The Seekers); choral performances as a child; a love affair with the French language from high school; my cultural allegiance and devotion to Celtic music; sentimental family favourites; and original songs including one of the first songs I ever wrote as a teenager.
To say this album was a labour of love is an understatement – during its production, my husband and I discovered the wonderful news that I was pregnant with our first child. I really felt like I was having twins – my baby and my album. I couldn’t have been happier!
I was also working full-time as a Public Relations Manager so recording the tracks at a studio in Brisbane’s northern suburbs had to occur after work and on weekends. Regardless, I loved every minute of my first recording, editing and production experience, including the cover photography which incorporated a nod to my home state of Queensland – our floral emblem, the Cooktown Orchid.
Within a few months of its release, Barcarolle sold 60,000 copies, hovered at platinum status and exceeded our expectations; particularly, because, as I was pregnant, promotional efforts were pretty much confined to instore appearances and interviews. I remember being presented with my gold record plaque at 8 months pregnant, feeling absolutely over the moon – albeit enormous and anything but glamorous!

Serenade

Produced and arranged by Garth Porter
(P) 1990 CBS 4675992

In 1989, my beautiful daughter Stephanie was born and I enjoyed an idyllic 6 months at home with her, completely away from the spotlight. However, recording my next album was always in the back of my mind and talks had already begun with Warners about the track listing. Unexpectedly, Sony Music Managing Director, Dennis Hanlon approached me and explained what he could do to further my career in the music industry. He met with me in Brisbane and offered me a 5-album international recording deal with  the opportunity to work with producer Garth Porter of Sherbet fame (as a teenager, I had always had a crush on Garth!). It was an offer I could not refuse. I was flown to Sydney first class and transported in a stretch limo to Sony’s offices to sign the contract.

I immediately got to work, facing the daunting and exciting task of choosing the 13 tracks for my next album. The final tracks were both from my existing repertoire of many years and new songs I’d never heard before. I was in daily communication with Garth organising arrangements and track choices – we hit it off immediately and working with him was a dream. There was no internet in those days, so instead a constant stream of phone calls and cassettes were exchanged between Brisbane and Sydney. But it worked just fine. Soon we were packed and ready to leave for Studios 301 in Sydney to record over a 5-week period. When I say “we” I mean me, my husband, Stephanie (just turned one) and my mother-in-law who had kindly offered to be babysitter for us.

The next 5 weeks flew by in a blissful blur of musical creativity and record production and fantastic, unforgettable experiences. These included countless studio highlights (always in safe hands with Garth and engineer, Ted Howard at the helm), where I “learnt the ropes” of song arrangement, recording, production, editing and mixing; photo shoots; a TVC and song clip filming; Sydney sightseeing; a scary bout of laryngitis and a very efficient nappy service! I absolutely adored recording each and every song and was really sorry when it was all over - I could have immediately done it all over again. The culmination of the trip was singing the National Anthem at a national football final. It was all pretty surreal. I remember crying as I listened to the first mix in the car en route back to Brisbane. I was ecstatic with the outcome – a dream come true. But the best was yet to come.

Within weeks of release, Serenade entered the national top 20 charts and was certified platinum. Everyone was over the moon and plans began in earnest to kick off the album promotions and organise live performances. I couldn’t wait but I had no idea what was coming my way.

A hectic 10-day promotional tour saw me travelling around the country appearing on media everywhere. The most memorable of these was the Midday Show with Ray Martin which was to become my second home over the next few years. He and band leader Geoff Harvey were delightful and we shared a lot of laughs together.

One most noteworthy promotional opportunity was the chance to make a national TV special for the 7 Network called “An Evening with Suzanne Clachair”. It was a fabulous experience and took me back full circle to my ABC TV on-air days a decade earlier. Filming involved both location and studio shoots and I took part in production decisions all along the way.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get more exciting, I received a phone call from Sony that literally blew me away. Julio Iglesias, the world’s biggest recording artist at the time, had invited me to support him on his national Australian tour the following year. I was told he “doesn’t usually choose singers”, but he wanted me. I couldn’t believe it - me! It was time to really hone my performing craft and get ready. Because immediately following that, plans were in place for my own national tour. I was living a dream.

 

Believe in Love

Produced and arranged by Garth Porter
(P) 1991 Sony Music Australia 4691692

It was amidst all the excitement of promoting Serenade, supporting Julio Iglesias, concert touring and performing that Sony decided another album should quickly follow “Serenade” for a Christmas release. So once again, Producer Garth Porter and I sprang into gear and began the search for material. This time, we all agreed the album should change gears a bit and be more contemporary, departing somewhat from the classical feel of my previous recordings. So with that brief in mind, the final 14 tracks turned out to be a lovely mix of original, Celtic and easy listening songs - eclectic but all sitting well together as a collection. I was really happy to have another opportunity to write some tracks and also collaborate with Garth - this time I was a little more experienced and prepared for the process ahead.

My husband and manager Jon, my 2-year-old Stephanie, her nanny and I travelled to Sydney for 6 weeks to record “Believe in Love” at Studios 301. Once again, I loved every moment of it – the studio is my happy place and it was fantastic to work with Garth and and Ted again. Promotion for this album again included a busy media round and a national TV Special on the 7 network called Suzanne Clachair “Believe in Love”. It was a fantastic, exhausting, whirlwind experience of location and studio clips from dawn to dusk over about 2 weeks. I have a clear memory of my husband and I coming home at midnight after an 18-hour shoot to our sleepless toddler (“waiting for Mummy”) and desperate babysitters (my parents). We had to drive around for another hour to get her to sleep!

 

Romance

Produced by Alan Slater & Suzanne Clachair; Arranged and conducted by Alan Slater
(P)(C) 1994 Pacific Rim Productions Pty Ltd SCL-2

This album is incredibly special to me. My husband Jon and I independently financed, produced and promoted it, and I had complete creative control from song choice, arrangement and production to the cover art. Once again, the whole family (Jon, Steph and my parents-in-law) travelled to Sydney for the recording process at Studios 301 but this time it took only 2 weeks in total. By now, we were a well-oiled machine!

I was ecstatic with the outcome of this album – it is a wonderfully balanced adult contemporary mix of 13 classical, folk and original songs all arranged so exquisitely by master arranger, Alan Slater who  also conducted the fabulous musicians and produced the album with me. Garth Porter’s unmistakeable, sensitive touch is also evident as he mixed the album assisted by me and engineer Ted Howard.

 

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Blog

Welcome to my website!

Welcome to the blog

Hi and welcome to my new-look website, www.suzanneclachair.com. Thanks so much for dropping in to check out my music.

Please do stay awhile and listen to some tracks, tell a friend or two about my music, share your thoughts and purchase a CD or two! I really hope you enjoy some new features such as videos of my past performances via my YouTube channel, song lyrics and the opportunity for you to leave a review.

I have had a long-standing love affair with singing and music since I was about 3 years old. Regardless of whatever else I’m doing in my life, my music remains a mainstay and I want to continue to share it with like-minded music lovers like you in any way I can. This website has been created for all my wonderful supporters and those who just want to take a closer look and listen to what I have to offer. I believe music should be moving, inspiring, therapeutic, encouraging - and shared. And if what you see and hear on this site ticks those boxes for you, well, I am truly blessed.

Whether you have followed my musical career for years or have never “met” me before today, I really hope you enjoy all the information I’ve provided for you to discover - from my "back story" to current news. So don’t be shy; let's get the conversation started. Please feel free to send me an email, make a comment, leave a review or subscribe to my mailing list. Maybe you have a question or a suggestion for my next recording – I’d love to hear from you.

With love,

Suzanne xo

PS. Don't forget to check in from time to time - I'll be adding more material for you to enjoy!

Suzanne Clachair

Song From Moulin Rouge

Suzanne Clachair

Amazing Grace

Suzanne Clachair

Easter blessings

Suzanne Clachair

Don't Say Goodbye

Suzanne Clachair

Longer

Suzanne Clachair

Yesterday's Dreams

Suzanne Clachair

Shelter

Suzanne Clachair

A Loving Heart

Suzanne Clachair

Happy Christmas 2017 - Suzanne sings "Silent Night"

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/dfc93dbe1d385163fee97da51/files/db74b402-3171-49fe-9412-7a339a5e8a07/Silent_Night_2.mp3

Suzanne Clachair

Till

Suzanne Clachair

Memory lane

I'm delighted to take a trip down memory lane with you and relive some of my stage and TV performances over the years - now available on my Utube Channel. Find MEDIA/ VIDEOS in the Menu and you'll be taken to a link "Youtube Playlist" to click. I'll meet you there! I hope you find some of your favourite songs to enjoy - and if you do, please feel free to leave a comment underneath the clip or maybe share with a friend or two. And do keep checking back - there are more to come.   Love Suzanne x

Suzanne Clachair

Videos

Enjoy Suzanne's performances at her YouTube Playlist

Photos

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Archive

2011-12-16 18.43.24

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