Tom Jones the Musical I'll Always Love You - Mark Brown

Tom Jones the Musical Demo Recordings

I was in NYC not so long ago, recording demos for my new musical Tom Jones the Musical. I’ve been posting about the sessions and have come to the final song we recorded.

I’ll Always Love You

“I’ll Always Love You” is the final song in the show. The feel good, everything ends happily song. It’s Tom and Sophie’s wedding song. It’s also the last song we recorded in NYC.

Despite having a lot of people on this recording and having to record one at a time, we went through it pretty quickly. What I love about this recording is the final chorus. Paul and I hadn’t arranged any harmonies but the singers came in a figured out their own harmonies. There was nothing written. One singer would go in and sing a harmony line. The next singer would go in and sing a different harmony line. All made up on the spot. It was really fun to watch, especially since I can’t sing a harmony to save my life.

The Singers

I’ve already written something about everyone singing on this song. The beautiful Anissa Felix. The funny and talented Danielle Erin Rhodes. Cullen “One Take It’s Chinatown Jake” Titmas. And the handsome super villain Marcus Choi.

Last day of recording

Tom Jones – The Musical

Here’s a brief synopsis of the show and what I’m doing with it.

In this thrilling adventure of the heart, Tom Jones, a charming young man of questionable birth and the ward of Squire Allworthy, is madly in love with Sophie Western and she with him. But when Sophie’s father arranges for her to marry Squire Allworthy’s loathsome and devious nephew, Blifil, she swears her undying love to Tom and flees for her life. Tom goes in search of Sophie, but hot on his heels are Sophie’s father, Sophie’s aunt, Squire Allworthy and Blifil, who are all in search of Sophie as well.

Set against this madcap story is music inspired by that frenzied mop-top-led era of music of the 1960s known as the British Invasion. Think The Beatles, Herman’s Hermits, the Dave Clark Five, the Hollies, the Animals, Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield and of course—Tom Jones. It was a time of catchy, top-of-the-pop-chart songs that had everyone from London to New York City hitting the dance floor to do the Jerk, the Pony, the Shimmy and the Mashed Potato. Aristocrats, wenches and scalawags abound in this bawdy and rollicking romp through the back roads and bedchambers of England.

The Kindness of Friends

Not only did my friends take time to come in and sing but the generosity of friends helped me pay for this recording. I did a GoFundMe campaign and nearly raised the entire budget. I still have an LA session coming up. If you’d like to donate anything Here’s the link. No donation is too small. I really appreciate it.