SOUNDTRACK NOTES: A PLACE BEYOND COURAGE

A PLACE BEYOND COURAGE:
SOUNDTRACK NOTES

I've linked many of the tracks to urls at Youtube. Not all of the video content is appropriate to what I had in mind, but the songs themselves are all very relevant and will give readers an idea - I hope!


Track
1. TUNNEL OF LOVE - Dire Straits
John Marshal at court - the ups and downs of the political life, the plotting, the subterfuge, the women. http://tinyurl.com/3295d6


2.CHEMISTRY - Semi-Sonic
John's attitude to the pleasures of the flesh!
http://tinyurl.com/2sgcft

3. MOTHER - Tori Amos
Aline's marriage to John. Her fear and uncertainty - being pushed out of the nest and into something she's not ready for.
http://tinyurl.com/3838wg

4. VOLCANO - Damien Rice
Aspects of the relationship between John and Aline.
http://tinyurl.com/2t8uxy

5. BREAK THE NIGHT WITH COLOUR - Richard Ashcroft
John at court in 1135 around the time of the death of King Henry. It's dangerous and he has to decide what to do.
http://tinyurl.com/2olw6h

6. AVE MARIA - Beth Nielsen Chapman
Aline's relationship with her religion. It's the only place where she is happy.


7. ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK - Murray Head
The danger of the royal court in Oxford. The wheeling, dealing, the rise and fall of powerful men.
http://tinyurl.com/2kpf53

8. ALREADY GONE - The Eagles
John splits with King Stephen
http://tinyurl.com/3cbnz3

9. ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER - U2
John and a mercenary discuss their mutual and not so mutual interests.
http://tinyurl.com/3czwzj


10. OUT IN THE FIELDS - Thin Lizzy
The Fight for Wherwell Abbey
http://tinyurl.com/32r4gz

11. GIMME SHELTER - The Rolling Stones
John makes his way home from Wherwell
http://tinyurl.com/2o3hbd

12. ANGELS OF THE SILENCES - Counting Crows
John recovering from his injuries and feeling bitter
http://tinyurl.com/2cod4f

13. ALIVE - Meat Loaf
John comes to terms with what has happened to him and goes back out to kick ass!
http://tinyurl.com/2fywmu

14. SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR - Grey Eye Glances
Sybilla wonders if there is more to life than the humdrum one she is living.

15. BLAZE OF GLORY - Bon Jovi
John takes on Patrick of Salisbury
http://tinyurl.com/2wqcff

16.DANCING IN THE DARK - Bruce Springsteen
John and Sybilla assess each other before their wedding
http://tinyurl.com/2p6d6z

17. STOP! - Sam Brown
Aline's shock at the break up of the marriage. Sam Brown's performance is perhaps too forceful for Aline's character, but a lot of the lyrics fit, especially from verse 1.
http://tinyurl.com/2tqbt5

18. ELEANOR RIGBY - Thrice
The metal version. It conveys more emotion than the one by the Beatles. Aline's character and a general comment on some of the emotions felt by all the characters.

19. WHITE WEDDING - Billy Idol
The suggestion of the wedding between John and Sybilla is mooted. Lyrics are perfect!
http://tinyurl.com/2y4bh3

20. BETTER DAYS - Bruce Springsteen
'This fool's half way to heaven and just a mile out of hell and I feel like I'm coming home.' Wow! This one was just so perfect for the soundtrack
http://tinyurl.com/27fjfc

21. SAMBA PA TI - Santana
The opening sequence to a series of wedding night songs. John and Sybilla's first dance together at their wedding feast - sexy and tender.
http://tinyurl.com/2dqsr6

22. IRIS - Ronan Keating
The preliminary to the wedding night. John's slight apprehension.
http://tinyurl.com/27o9xs

23. BIG LOVE - Fleetwood Mac
The wedding night from both viewpoints. Fairly explicit!
http://tinyurl.com/3yhoaf

24. SHOW ME HEAVEN - Maria Mckee
Sybilla's view of the wedding night
http://tinyurl.com/2mmhgj


25. AIR THAT I BREATHE - The Hollies
John's view of the wedding night
http://tinyurl.com/3bqxn7

26. LOVE RESURRECTION - Alison Moyet
Sybilla getting to grips with life with her new husband. 'If we pull together, we'll never fall apart again.'
http://tinyurl.com/ypyb6q

27. CROSSING THE RIVER STYX - I Am Ghost
Aline's remarriage. The end of everything with John
http://tinyurl.com/ypzmkg


28. BED OF ROSES - Bon Jovi
John's ongoing relationship with Sybilla and his thoughts while away at war.
http://tinyurl.com/27mb4u


29. THE MUMMER'S DANCE - Loreena McKennit
The birth of John's fourth son William on an April morning.
http://tinyurl.com/2ox3y8

30. SHE'S A LADY - Tom Jones
John's feelings about Sybilla - lyrics are spot on. She did help him build a mountain.
http://tinyurl.com/2a483b

31. I WON'T BACK DOWN - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
John facing enormous odds but doing as the song title says!
http://tinyurl.com/yu2skl

32. HURT - Johnny Cash
John's reaction at having to give up his five year old son, William.
http://tinyurl.com/y4d76y

33. DOWN TO MY LAST - Alter Bridge
John at the siege of Newbury as it comes to crunch time. Again lyrics are spot on
http://tinyurl.com/yul3ey

34. LEARNING TO FLY - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Little William setting out on his life path to greatness
http://tinyurl.com/ytqwsk

35. SOMETHING INSIDE SO STRONG - Labi Siffri
Finale song.

36. ONLY THE BRAVE - Runrig
A song that helped me find the book's title
http://tinyurl.com/35umuc

37. BROKEN PROMISE - Placebo
This is the song that if I had copyright permission, I'd put on the 'trailer' to the movie.

38. MY SHIP IS COMING IN - The Walker Brothers
One that didn't make my final cut but which had meaning for Alison, my Akashic consultant and so it gets an honourable mention.

THE SCARLET LION SOUNDTRACK AND NOTES

THE SCARLET LION:
SOUNDTRACK AND NOTES

I've linked many of the tracks to urls at Youtube. Not all of the video content is appropriate to what I had in mind, but the songs themselves are all very relevant and will give readers an idea - I hope!

Track:
1. Hymn To Her - The Pretenders.
It's about the female element in the novel and it opens with a childbirth scene and concerns the power of women. Url to the song at youtube here
http://tinyurl.com/ysjnf4

2. Holding Out For A Hero - Bonnie Tyler
William Marshal's theme music if ever there was. 'Somewhere after midnight, in my wildest fantasy, somewhere just beyond my reach, there's someone reaching back for me.' http://tinyurl.com/2kpaq9

3. THE BEST - Tina Turner
Isabelle's view of her husband. May sound a bit cheesy through familiarity these days, but it has tremendous resonance and feeling. There's a reason it always gets played at discos as weddings!

4. LANDSLIDE - Fleetwood Mac
Isabelle's feelings about the passage of time and coming into her own. She and William married when she was a girl. Now she's a woman and looking to future responsibilities and duties.
http://tinyurl.com/ytuxo6

5. THE WRECK OF THE EDMUND FITZGERALD - Gordon Lightfoot
The voyage to Ireland which was pretty grim. http://tinyurl.com/3xxpbj

6. CHANGE MY WORLD - Moya Brenan
Arriving in Ireland - a different place to the courts of Normandy and England

7. INTO THE FIRE - Sarah McLachlan
Isabelle is reunited with her mother http://tinyurl.com/34pv3o

8. SHERRY DARLING - Bruce Springsteen
One of several Springsteen tracks. William is not enamoured of his mother in law!

9.DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN - Bruce Springsteen
A bitter, dark number concerning the burdens shouldered by the men who knew what happened to Prince Arthur. http://tinyurl.com/2hegjm

10. ALL MY LIFE - Foofighters
King John and the incident with Prince Arthur - and all the other incidents throughout John's life. 'Done, done and I'm on to the next one....' http://tinyurl.com/24zxs6

11. STORY OF ISAAC - Suzanne Vega
The hostage situation

12. WORLDS APART - Bruce Springsteen
Isabelle and William disagree over the hostage situation and their difference of opinion is fuelled by suspicions about what happened to Prince Arthur 'Sometimes the truth just ain't enough, or it's too much in times like this, let's throw the truth away and find it in this kiss.' http://tinyurl.com/2xcqa8

13. FLYING COLOURS - Jethro Tull
William and Isabelle's marriage continues rocky because of John and their sons.

14. STICK TO YOUR GUNS - Bon Jovi
Isabelle has to cope in Ireland while William goes to court http://tinyurl.com/24ppke

15. AGAINST THE WIND - Marie Brenan
Hanging tough in Ireland http://tinyurl.com/3ykhqn

16. THE ONE I LOVE - REM
William at court in England, biding time, sending out a mental warning to Isabelle. I know the meaning of the song is different in reality, but it has the above meaning to me, with 'Fire!' meaning 'Beware!' http://tinyurl.com/2lfgw4

17. EMERALD - Thin Lizzy
The Battle at Newtown and subsequent battles in Ireland. 'Down from the glen came the marching men with their shields and their swords.' http://tinyurl.com/29zusp

18. I NEED SOME SLEEP - Eels
William struggling at court, not knowing what's happening at home. Everything has gone to hell in a handcart. http://tinyurl.com/3y4468

19. A MATTER OF TRUST - Billy Joel
William returns to Ireland and is reunited with his family

20. SCARLET - About Eve
Isabelle and William's daughter-in-law Alais de Bethune. Her character and what happens to her.

21. SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT - Nirvana
More on Alais and the happenings at Pembroke. William's son Will when he hears what has happened. 'A denial, a denial, a denial.' Raw, ragged, emotional. http://tinyurl.com/324kwt

22. IF IT BE YOUR WILL - Jann Arden
My feelings about Alais and giving her a voice that history hasn't heard until now.

22. LOVE HURTS - Nazareth
William Marshal and his family are threatening to tear apart beneath all that's happening to them. Particularly a song for Will, William's eldest son. http://tinyurl.com/2h3nkh

23. BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS - Greenday
Will squaring his shoulders and trying to come to terms with what's happened to him
http://tinyurl.com/3yf663

24. JUST FOR YOU -Lionel Richie
Will thinking back and realising life isn't like that. http://tinyurl.com/3x5tky

25. FATHER AND SON - Ronan Keating
The conflict between William and Will. http://tinyurl.com/35n8jw

26. PARALLEL UNIVERSE - Red Hot Chili Peppers
The battle of Lincoln and William's altered state of mind as he enters the fight. That joyous surge of the sword. 'Christ I'm a sidewinder, I'm a California King.' http://tinyurl.com/36aaja

27. IN KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH - Coheed & Cambria
The battle of Sandwich and more stirring battle action. http://tinyurl.com/347xok

28. AVALON - Roxy Music
William and Isabelle share some poignant moments.

29. HEAVEN CAN WAIT - Meatloaf
William making preparations to depart. http://tinyurl.com/3xkyx2

30. I HOPE YOU DANCE - Ronan Keating
William sending out thoughts to his eldest daughter, Mahelt. http://tinyurl.com/2sh8el

31. MY IMMORTAL - Evanescence
Isabelle's feelings about William as she comes to terms with what's happening, especially his association with the Templars. http://tinyurl.com/28cwtp

32. EVENSTAR - Isabel Bayakdarian
A bidding farewell. I was inspired not only by the music, but by the scene of Arwen standing before Aragorn's tomb in the second Lord of the Rings film The Two Towers
http://tinyurl.com/24gwe4

33.SAND AND WATER - Beth Nielsen Chapman
Isabelle coming to terms with her life. I felt this one extremely appropriate as in 1219, her youngest son would have been about 11 years old. http://tinyurl.com/2d9rsb

34. THE MIRACLE OF LOVE - Eurythmics
Finale http://tinyurl.com/2f9gb5

THE GREATEST KNIGHT: SOUNDTRACK AND NOTES

I've linked many of the tracks to urls at Youtube. Not all of the video content is appropriate to what I had in mind, but the songs themselves are all very relevant and will give readers an idea - I hope!

Track:

1. THE VOICE - Instrumental of the Irish Eurovision Song contest sung by Eimar Quinn.
A general introductory piece to settle into the novel

2. RELAX - Frankie Goes To Hollywood
William Marshal, a young knight has to learn to control himself in the thick of the fray as he experiences his first hard battle for real. http://tinyurl.com/382kur

3. FIGHT - No Vacancy
More of the above. A driving rock song as William is engaged in fierce fighting
http://tinyurl.com/3963hk

4. FELL ON HARD TIMES - Neal Casal
William suddenly finds himself horseless and without a job. He has to sell his cloak in order to make ends meet. I loved the bit in the lyrics that echoes this: 'I sold my green leather jacket' .

5. GODDESS IN THE DOORWAY - Mick Jagger
William first sets eyes on Eleanor of Aquitaine and he is captured for life!
http://tinyurl.com/39vlyp


6. SHE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN - Billy Joel
More on the character of Eleanor of Aquitaine
http://tinyurl.com/2jq2jm

7. I WANT IT ALL - Queen
King Henry's heir, Henry The Young King is impatient for power and glory. Echoes of William in some of the lyrics too
http://tinyurl.com/2ss53o

8. WOULD YOU? - Touch and Go
William's meeting up again at a tourney with Clara, the woman who saved him earlier

9. ADDICTED TO LOVE - Robert Palmer
Clara and William get to know each other better
http://tinyurl.com/2j2c8f

10. WHAT ABOUT LOVE - Heart
Clara and the dissatisfaction about what she's getting from William

11. YOU'RE SO VAIN - Carly Simon
The Young King's personality
http://tinyurl.com/ysqvpb

12. THAT DON'T IMPRESS ME MUCH - Shania Twain
More of the above. The Young King. 'So you got the moves but have you got the touch?'
http://tinyurl.com/yucxql

13. HALLELUJAH - Rufus Wainwright
The conclusion of William's relationship with Clara. Some echoes too of William's relationship with the Young King
http://tinyurl.com/2qe8fp

14. DON'T SPEAK - No Doubt
The relationship between William and the Young Queen's wife from her viewpoint.
http://tinyurl.com/23nbxl

15. EVERYBODY KNOWS - Don Henley
A comment on the end of William's association with the Young King. 'Everyone knows it's coming apart, take one last look at this sacred heart before it blows.'

16. OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY - Nightwish
William accused of things he hasn't done and he exiles himself on pilgrimage.
http://tinyurl.com/354z37

17. THE LEAVING SONG - AFI
More of the above. William takes a hard look at his life
http://tinyurl.com/27cm69

18. PROTOCOL - Gordon Lightfoot
William on pilgrimage and coming to terms with himself. The death of Henry II. 'Where are the kings in their coats of mail who rode by the Cross to die? Did they all go down into worthiness, is it wrong for a king to cry?'

19. THE CLASP - Jethro Tull
Political manoeuvering between the Kings of France and England.

20. EASILY - Red Hot Chili Peppers
William expecting hard times after the death of Henry II, but finding himself in favour instead. In the difficult years he has very much become his own man and no one's gofer.
http://tinyurl.com/ypodgb

21. THESE DREAMS - Heart
Isabelle de Clare dreams of a life beyond the walls of the Tower of London
http://tinyurl.com/2z8ulb

22. BRING ME TO LIFE - Evanescence
Isabelle and William meet and find out they not only have a great deal in common, they complement each other too.
http://tinyurl.com/24xe6w

23. GOD GAVE ME EVERYTHING - Mick Jagger
William suddenly finds his cup runneth over. His life force at full surge.
http://tinyurl.com/25dxnf

24.VINDICATED - Dashboard Confessional
An aching, bitter, poignant song about William's brother John.
http://tinyurl.com/2hezv8

25. FIELDS OF GOLD - Sting
William's brother John again. This time there's a sad, redemptive quality.
http://tinyurl.com/2bc59b

26. ALL ABOUT SOUL - Billy Joel
William and Isabelle. The foundation of their relationship. It's about coming through and going forward.
http://tinyurl.com/2cqcrb

SHADOWS AND STRONGHOLDS: SOUNDTRACK AND NOTES

I've linked many of the tracks to urls at Youtube. Not all of the video content is appropriate to what I had in mind, but the songs themselves are all very relevant and will give readers an idea - I hope!

Track
1. THE HOUSE YOU LIVE IN - Gordon Lightfoot
The hero,Brunin, a child at the start of the novel, is taken into the household of Joscelin de Dinan. The lyrics are Joscelin's philosophy on life.

2. THUNDER ROAD - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Above mentioned Joscelin's relationship with his wife. The lyrics strongly link to the way their relationship started.
http://tinyurl.com/293525

3. HOW YOU REMIND ME - Nickelback
The relationship of Brunin's parents, seen particularly from his father's viewpoint.
http://tinyurl.com/2yaxmn

4. IN A BIG COUNTRY - Big Country
Brunin and Joscelin come to know each other as squire and lord. Joscelin sets about building Brunin's confidence and developing his potential.
http://tinyurl.com/yruh89

5. EXPRESSO LOVE - Dire Straits
Brunin is captivated by Marion's feminine wiles.
http://tinyurl.com/2ctyew

6. DANGER ZONE - Kenny Loggins
Brunin discovers how close to the edge he can get while learning to fight. 'You never say hello to you until you get it on a red light overload.'
http://tinyurl.com/2zkn5m

7. HERO - Chad Kroeger & Josey Scott
Brunin has the talent but is holding back from using it.

8. FEEL - Robbie Williams
Brunin is wary of letting himself go even though he has settled into life with his new family. The lyrics from this song are just spot on for his character.
http://tinyurl.com/27us9e

9. THE PROMISED LAND - Bruce Springsteen
Brunin coming into his own. He's going to do or die.

10. DEEP, DEEP OCEAN - Belinda Carlisle
Hawise's feelings about Brunin

11. NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN - The Moody Blues
The main love song from Shadows and Strongholds. Brunin and Hawise's wedding night.
http://tinyurl.com/2ahocp

12. I'M STILL STANDING - Elton John
Brunin's relationship with his grandmother

13. THROUGH THE BARRICADES - Spandau Ballet
The troubled relationship between Brunin's parents
http://tinyurl.com/23mk29

14. THE WEAVER'S ANSWER - Family
The death of Brunin's father. Memories and regrets.
http://tinyurl.com/25ep84

15.CHINA GIRL - David Bowie
Marion's relationship with Ernalt de Lysle
http://tinyurl.com/32ov4q

16. BLOOD BROTHERS - Iron Maiden
Warfare, the struggle for land and livelihood. The patterns of the past repeating
http://tinyurl.com/yurxjd

17. LIVING ON A PRAYER - Bon Jovi
Not the driving rock version, but the slow one. Brunin and Hawise on the verge of losing everything.
http://tinyurl.com/2agytw

18. COVER ME - Bruce Springsteen
And if things were bad before, now the struggle really begins to bite amid personal tragedy.

19. PROTECT AND SURVIVE - Runrig
Joscelin reflects on what has happened and the futility of war
http://tinyurl.com/2c65cl

20. ROAD TO YOUR SOUL - All About Eve
Joscelin and Sybilla come to a refreshed understanding of each other
http://tinyurl.com/2xflyj

21.IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND - Faith Hill
More of Joscelin and Sybilla, but from Sybilla's viewpoint. A proud woman who has to find a different sort of pride now.

22. GIRL - Tori Amos
Marion's state of mind

23. WEAK - Skunk Ananse
Marion again, same as 22
http://tinyurl.com/yrm2as

24. STAY - Shakespeare's Sister
Marion finally deals with Ernalt and then makes her own irrevocable decision
http://tinyurl.com/3xa3fr

25. SECRET SMILE - Semi Sonic
The relationship between Brunin and Hawise as he recovers from his wounds and recent traumas. He's aching and he needs her.

26. TIMES LIKE THESE - Foofighters
Brunin finally comes into his own. 'I'm a new day rising, I'm a brand new sky to hang the stars upon tonight.'
http://tinyurl.com/32xlyv

27. IT'S MY LIFE - Bon Jovi
I couldnt decide between this and Times Like These as the final song, so I used them both!