Warm Embers Bright Flames
by @johncrossman · @kahlo2013
Liner Notes
#jazz #campfire #folk #mellow #reflective JC: I was touched by Liz's collaboration note for this song with a non-fawming friend and it ignited my yearning for the s'mores, woodsmoke smell, and nature sounds. Percolated with me for a few days, didn't ask, but we have a few years of collaborating and I figured it was available. Musically, I'm picturing a jazzy beach campfire here, so I hope that fits. Some campfire sounds cribbed from YouTube, some homemade here by crinkling candy wrappers. :)
Here's Liz's original note (https://write.fawm.org/songs/313767) : My non-FAWM friend, Casey, sent me a piece of a lyric to run with … she wrote “ Warm embers, bright flames, tomorrow’s memories I can’t think of another phrase but I love campfires, fireplaces, or one that captures the crackling sound” I asked her if she wanted to sing it, if she wanted me to create an AI demo, or if she wanted me to beg for a collaboration by a real musician. She said: “I prefer a real person” and she made it clear it wasn’t her. So this is my plea for a collaborator….
Liz says: What a gift! I love the beach campfire feel that John brought to this lyric with his lovely music, beautiful melody, and gorgeous vocals with such lush layers and harmonies! And how about the wonderful crackling fire sounds? John brought the magic of those campfires to this song in such a compelling way.
Lyrics
V1 singing waves crackling wood campfire glow times understood
dancing sparks shooting stars gold moonbeams on new memoirs
yours, mine and ours….
C warm embers bright flames tomorrow’s memories yesterday’s remains
warm embers bright flames tomorrow’s reveries yesterday’s todays
V2 swaying limbs rustling reeds blurred shadows poignant dreams
knowing looks giving grace tender times this heart space
moments embraced
C warm embers bright flames tomorrow’s memories yesterday’s remains
warm embers bright flames tomorrow’s reveries yesterday’s todays
B holding fast to what we know open to letting go hoping to grow
C warm embers bright flames tomorrow’s memories yesterday’s remains
warm embers bright flames tomorrow’s reveries yesterday’s todays
Comments
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/21252.png){kind=avatar}
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2024/94d6a3e2-f04f-4525-a041-c7aca3317746.png){kind=avatar}
Oh, when the harmonies hit: from good to great. This is charming, and a wonderful example of the magic of FAWM and collaborations. Others have pointed it out, but the change on "yesterday's todays" are a breath of fresh air each time it appears -- like the way a listener's ears perk up after a middle 8 in just one line.
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2025/a4525633-f64d-4936-b793-d9290159a8bf.png){kind=avatar}
Warming myself by the glow of this song. Lovely hearing you two working together. The swinging strum is a nice combo of relaxed and jaunty. I love the chord changes on "yesterday's todays". Oh, I see Paul Otteson said the same thing. I'd love to pick this up on harmonies and gentle bass for some 2JNing.
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/1995.png){kind=avatar}
I love the relaxed delivery and how much time you give the listener to enjoy these great lyrics.. Then the harmonies kick in, and I sink into my chair. So good. Perfect chord choice on "yesterday's todays" - great turn around. Such a warm performance all around - great collab!
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2024/416edc2b-2530-426c-b25d-59ba59e246e5.png){kind=avatar}
Ooh...you make that campfire sound so sublime. You are the king of languid harmonies @johncrossman The jazzy beats and slower tempo so perfectlly reflect the trance like state of mind one is drawn in to while sitting around a crackling fire. Something so primal and beautiful. "dancing sparks shooting stars gold moonbeams on new memoirs" @kahlo2013 seriously, every line evokes our most ancient connection to the elements. Soothing, still, hypnotic, a sense of timelessness. This is a beauty my friends! Thank you for a great listen.
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/12935.png){kind=avatar}
tomorrow’s reveries yesterday’s todays
So beautifully said! This song creates such a warm feeling like if I’m really sitting with my friends around the fire.
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/6353.png){kind=avatar}
@johncrossman I love all the different vocal textures you're using here: unison, two-, three-, four- part harmonies, quick echoes. Really adds a lot and keeps me listening for the next change. Great lyrics, @kahlo2013, inspired by your friend. Love it! This will be earworming me for a while tonight!
![[FAWM]](/static/img/slothcore.svg)
Current Challenge
Help / Collab Guidelines / Skirmishes / Donate / Terms of Service / Privacy / Copyright / AI Statement
© 2025 FAWM, LLC.
Made with in PGH / PDX / MIA.
All lyrics & song content remain © the fawmers who wrote them. See terms of
service!
Nice! Love the campfire vibe/soubds of the recording that matches that beautiful set of lyrics. I wish my campfires had a wonder backing choir that chime in so wonderfully. I am sitting listening while sitting outside next to my fire pit, abeit unlit on this windy sunny day… but I am thinking remembering warm embers and bright flames. Love the poetic lyric brought to life. There are some really cool vocal things that happen at the end of the lines with the “today” sections. 🙌🎶