In the small town of Willowdale, nestled deep within the woods, there lived a mysterious figure known as the witch guitar maestro. Rumors of her existence had been circulating for years, with tales of her incredible music skills and enchanting performances. People spoke of her ability to captivate audiences with her mesmerizing melodies, leaving them spellbound and in a trance-like state. Nobody knew exactly who she was or where she came from, as she always performed under a cloak of darkness, allowing only her haunting guitar tunes to be heard. Some believed she was a centuries-old witch, using her guitar as a magical instrument to cast spells and control the minds of those who listened. Others believed she was a wandering spirit, searching for lost souls to connect with through her music.
Ooohhhh, talkin’ ’bout magic
As it blasts from a small blue transistor radio in my tiny teenage bedroom I m clattering along on a full drum kit I d made out of all manner of things my dad had been able to bring home from work in response to a son whining Daaaad, do you think you could get me DIY music. A brief glance at Do You Believe in Magic s tracklisting suggests it s Do You Believe in Magic, Younger Girl and Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind apart a warm-up for bigger and better things to come.
Others believed she was a wandering spirit, searching for lost souls to connect with through her music. Regardless of the rumors, one thing was certain – the witch guitar maestro was a musical genius. Her fingers flew across the strings of her guitar with such precision and grace that it seemed almost supernatural.
The Lovin' Spoonful: Do You Believe In Magic
Written by John Sebastian and released by The Lovin’ Spoonful in the mid-1960s, this two-minute pop song is as good a declaration as any of the joy of music. Sebastian apparently wrote it after he’d seen a young girl dancing close to the stage during one of their early gigs, oblivious to everything around her. Lost In Music, as a song from a later era would put it.
Brought up in New York’s Greenwich Village Sebastian became part of the folk and blues singer-songwriter scene of the Sixties. Other songs in his catalogue, written on his own or with band members, include Daydream, Nashville Cats, You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice and Summer In The City.
Sebastian formed the Lovin’ Spoonful with guitarist Zal Yanovsky, bass player Steve Boone and drummer Joe Butler. Sebastian and Yanovsky had formerly been in a Village group The Mugwumps with Cass Elliot and Denny Doherty who in turn were to become half of the Mamas and Papas. For a musical take on this period check out the Mamas and Papas song Creeque Alley.
Do You Believe In Magic begins with a lift which sets the tone from the off. Leading with a snare drum pickup and employing the trick of not starting on the signature chord of the home key, the intro uses a rising chord sequence which Sebastian has said he adapted from the opening of (Love Is Like A) Heatwave by Martha and the Vandellas.
Unusual for pop songs of the time Do You Believe In Magic does not have the common verse/chorus/middle eight structure. Instead two verses give way to a mellow, low-register guitar solo followed by a third verse and outro. The climbing chords from the intro feature in the latter part of the song’s verses and are mirrored by the background harmony vocals. The effect is repeatedly to drive the joyous upbeat feel. The outro sees a part verse, with those ascending chords again…
Believe in the magic in a young girl’s soul
Believe in the magic of rock ‘n’ roll
Believe in the magic that can set you free
Ooohhhh, talkin’ ’bout magic
… and it fades on the voices of the band overlapping with the question: ‘Do you believe like I believe in magic.’ Perfect feelgood pop.
An innovative element of the record’s production adds to the appeal. The band had a standard two guitars, bass and drums set-up but were keen to explore new sounds in the studio. As well as a guitarist Sebastian was also an autoharp player and figured it hadn’t been used before in pop. He hit on the idea of taping a contact microphone to the back of the instrument and on hearing the amplified sound believed that they were on to a winner. He retuned the harp to cope with the song’s minor seventh chords that regular tuning didn’t allow, and it is the strum of this instrument which gives the track its distinctive chiming rhythm sound.
Do You Believe In Magic was written by a 20-year-old Sebastian born out of youthful exuberance and, seemingly, a capacity to dance all night. If identification with that aspect of the lyric may have waned with the passing of years, connection with the spirit conveyed by the song and its performance has definitely not. For me it has always been one of those ‘sunshine’ songs that 'can make you feel happy' and I still play it.
I have my own youthful memories of the track. As it blasts from a small blue transistor radio in my tiny teenage bedroom I’m clattering along on a full drum kit I’d made out of all manner of things my dad had been able to bring home from work in response to a son whining: ‘Daaaad, do you think you could get me…’ DIY music. Happy days!
In 2004 the ITV South Bank Show screened a documentary about a portable Swiss-made Discomatic jukebox that had belonged to John Lennon and which had recently surfaced in an auction of Beatles memorabilia. Lennon had bought the jukebox in the mid-Sixties and had loaded it with his favourite 45rpm records to take with him on tour. When it was found the records were still in place and one of the singles was – you’ve guessed it – Do You Believe In Magic. The man, I thought to myself, obviously believed in good taste.
**Sebastian’s public good humour and commitment to good-time music can make him seem a bit of a bumpkin, which I suspect is a knowingly created facade. Nonetheless, some have taken him at face value. Witness this Robert Christgau review: “So what happened to John Sebastian, anyway? […] Figure the reason no one was better at translating the flowery optimism of the middle ’60s into folk-flavored pop song–“Do You Believe in Magic,” “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice,” “Daydream,” “Summer in the City,” “Rain on the Roof,” just look at those titles–was as much spirit as talent. Figure he was so eager, so well-meaning, so fun-loving, so warmhearted, such a simpleton, that when the times demanded cynicism this John–unlike natural-born reprobate Phillips or designated reality principle Lennon–didn’t have it in him.”
Each note she played had a haunting quality to it, capable of evoking emotions deep within the souls of her listeners. People traveled from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic musician. They would gather in the town square, anxiously waiting for her arrival. As the sun set and the sky grew dark, she would appear, silhouetted against the moonlight, her guitar ready to perform its magic. When she strummed the first chord, a hush would fall upon the crowd. All eyes would be fixed on her, entranced by the haunting melodies that emanated from her guitar. It was as if time stood still, and the world around them faded into the background, leaving only the witch guitar maestro and her spellbinding music. As her performance reached its climax, the air would become thick with energy. Some claimed to see sparks flying from her fingertips, while others swore they felt a shiver run down their spine. It was an experience unlike any other, leaving an everlasting impression on those lucky enough to witness it. And then, as quickly as she had arrived, the witch guitar maestro would vanish into the night, leaving the crowd in awe and wonder. The townspeople would talk for days about the ethereal experience, trying to unravel the mystery behind the captivating musician. Though many yearned to know the secrets of the witch guitar maestro, she remained an enigma. Some claimed to have seen her in the daylight, going about her daily chores like any other person, but these sightings were rare and shrouded in uncertainty. The legend of the witch guitar maestro continues to live on in Willowdale, passing from one generation to the next. It serves as a reminder of the power of music and the magic that can be created through its melodies. The mysterious figure may forever remain a mystery, but her impact on the town and its people will never be forgotten..
Reviews for "Journey into the mystical world of the guitar-playing witch maestro"
1. John Smith - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Mysterious witch guitar maestro". The plot was confusing and all over the place, making it difficult to follow. The characters lacked depth and development, and I found it hard to connect with any of them. Additionally, the pacing of the story was off, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and abrupt plot twists. Overall, I found the book to be a frustrating and unsatisfying read.
2. Lisa Thompson - 1 star - "Mysterious witch guitar maestro" was a complete waste of time for me. The writing style was dry and lacked any sort of creativity or originality. The author failed to effectively build a captivating world or develop any interesting characters. I found the story to be predictable and the plot twists were forced and underwhelming. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and imaginative read.
3. Sarah Johnson - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Mysterious witch guitar maestro" but was ultimately let down. The book had a promising premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The pacing was slow and the story dragged on with unnecessary details and subplots. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to become invested in the characters or their relationships. Overall, I found this book to be a tedious and forgettable read.