Free - complete album of 'country' songs
Welcome to Reflections - an album of songs dedicated to my great uncle Roland Hollis - who I never actually met - who gave his life for his country in WW1.
I have created a ‘persona’ for Roland as the singer and performer - in respect and memory of this brave soldier, Pte Roland Canning Hollis 16547 of the 8th Leicestershire Regiment.
Although wounded and returned to battle on THREE previous occasions - on a fourth time he succumbed to enemy fire on the Somme on March 22nd 1918, age 24.
This project explores a new frontier in music production, where human creativity meets artificial intelligence. I personally developed the concepts and oversaw every aspect of this album's creation. The lyrical themes and ideas were crafted with the assistance of Gemini, the captivating musical arrangements and performances were brought to life through Suno.ai, and the visual inspiration for the cover art was realized using Pixabay. This blend of human vision and Al tools has allowed for a truly unique sonic and visual experience.
© John Morey 2025. All rights reserved. This work is protected by copyright, and all rights are reserved by the creator.
Why 'REFLECTIONS'?
First of all, the lyrics reflect a life's experiences from the rock 'n' roll years to the present - looking back on good times and bad times in a philosophical way.
Second, there are two melodies for each set of lyrics in most cases and it has been difficult to decide one over the other. Hopefully both are 'good' - you be the judge.
Third, the cover image - whilst it is not Roland (for one thing there was no colour photography when he lived, and his dress and demeanour, and the setting, is certainly not early 20th century) - but it could have been - had he lived.
REFLECTIONS - featuring Roland Canning Hollis
TIP: Best heard through headphones...
The are SIX songs comprising the album 'REFLECTIONS' - each recorded in two sessions - making up twelve recordings in total. Pairings are shown below - with some background notes.
Gypsy Rose/Finding Rose
The story reflects John Morey's novels, Finding Rose and Rose: The Missing Years available on Amazon in eBook and print.
As in each case, each song, there are two versions - the melody is different, but the same lyrics are used.
My Dad/Like My Dad
The lyrics here express all my fond memories of my own father and, hopefully, they resonate with you and yours, too.
Ironically, my dad and I rarely saw eye to eye in my early years - but that changed when I left home to begin my own journey.
But, actually, it's the subconscious memories - or lessons - that remain with you for a lifetime. At least, that's my experience and - if you're lucky - it is yours, too.
A Boy an His Dog/Fields of Green
Again taken from personal experience, this song reflects the relationship I had with my first dog - Bess - when we lived in the country, on a smallholding my dad started in the '50's.
Relatively isolated, Bess was my only playmate. School, and schoolmates were over a mile away in the village.
My brother is 7 years older than me - my two sisters even older (!), so it was usually down to Bess and me to make our own fun. Hide and Seek was especially difficult - getting Bess to look away while I hid. She cheated!
Potwash Blues/Silent Promise
When my pal, Russ, and I saved up £100 apiece (which was money in 1970!) to leave Leicester behind for a road trip - destination St Ives - I guess 'meeting the right girl' was forefront in our minds.
The land of Sun, Surf, Sand and Sea did not disappoint and we took with us memories and friendship - some of who we still keep in touch.
As we reflect on those days - Russ from his house by the sea in North Devon, me and mine from South Devon - we realise that memories and friendship (and family) are worth so much more than material possessions.
I was 'Potwash' in the hotel where we worked. 'Silent Promise' reflects hopes & dreams we took on that road trip.
And so the saga of 'Potwash Blues' continued or, rather, this is where it started - our disillusion with city life on the one hand, and confines of the village on the other.
In truth, it was the need for Russ and I to strike out on our own and away from friends and family in Blaby, for the more exotic 'Westcountry'.
In the end, we never looked back from those Dusty Roads, planting new roots, ultimately. on the coasts of Devon.
Westward Bound/To Live a Life/Chasing Dreams
If not the words - then the song - and, if not the song, then the whole idea of these tracks deserves to be explored not once, not twice - but three times.