(Dedicated to staff and students at Fairfield College).Ironic that this song should get released at this time (it wasnt a plan at all).The song has its origins at a time when FFC was a different place that it is now. Specifically, it was origianlly written as the central song under the title “song of the river” in the school musical “riverdragon”,hence the name change when it came to be re-recorded.
Fairfield has long had a tradition of writing, producing and performing its own shows, of which riverdragon was one of the first with faville involved as musical director. The original harmonic structure appeared one sunny afternoon in Whyte st, Hamilton some time around 1998. As was always the plan, the song evolved through the pre-production phase and was initially recorded by the house band for the show.
Over time the original song sped up, lost its jazz trumpet flavourings, and added a whole new section at the end, with a guitar solo composed by Grant Blackler. The feel and instrumentation moved into country-rock territory-where it appears quite comfortable.
When dmy started doing gigs in 2003, riverdragon began life as a ‘filler’ track, but rapidly became a live favourite, even though Faville was keen to dump it. Eventually it was decided to re-record it, as the version that evolved had become quite different from the original. the song is dedicated to the staff and students of Fairfield college, past and present. Forward to the future.
Riverdragon (original version) released 2002
Vocals; Sehai Orgad
Guitar: Bana Puru
Drums: AJ Hohaia
Trumpet: Brad Kerr
Bass; Sarah Te Hira
composed by Hohaia/Kerr/Te Hira/Puru/Orgad/Faville
Riverdragon (new version) released 2011
Vocals; Shaye Simpson
Guitars; Grant Blackler
Bass/Keyboards/Drums; Trevor Faville
production Trevor Faville/dan Howard
