Songs of My Youth

This third album is all “cover” songs, and all of them from my teen years and earlier. In a way, it’s a departure from prior albums which featured mostly Native American (style) Flutes, though some songs feature that very type. This one relies more on the Bansuri, a bamboo flute popular in India. This was a fun album to make, as it brought back memories as I was making these recordings.

Brown Skin Girl: My parents liked Harry Belafonte, and their albums included this song. Played on Bansuri, key of C. All Bansuri on this album are bamboo, and made by Mukund Lekurwale through One World Flutes, unless otherwise noted. 

There is a Mountain: From the 60’s and a songwriter who went by his first name, Donovan. Played on Bansuri, key of G. 

You’ve Got a Friend: Made popular by its composer, Carole King. Played on Bansuri, key of C. 

El Condor Pasa: I became familiar with this song through Simon & Garfunkel in the 60’s. This one is played using two Native American style flutes: a bass G flute, butternut wood, made by Pat Haran Flutes (sadly, Pat no longer makes flutes); and a “low” C flute, aromatic red cedar wood, made by Heartsong Flutes (J.P. Gomez).   

Ain’t No Sunshine: Simple but soulful song performed by songwriter Bill Withers from the early 70’s. Played on a “low” D Native American style Flute, aspen wood, made by Heartsong Flutes. 

Moonshadow: Made popular by then-named Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam), another from the early 70’s. This song needed two flutes: a “low” D diatonic Native American Flute, redwood, made by Flutes by Nash (Nash Tavewa) and a mid-G diatonic Native American Flute, Peruvian black walnut wood, made by Flutes by Nash. 

I Will: A late 60’s release from the Beatles and composed by Paul McCartney & John Lennon. Played on a mid-A diatonic Native American style Flute, aspen wood, made by Heartsong Flutes. 

Fire and Rain: A James Taylor classic from the early 70’s. Played on Bansuri in the key of F. 

House of the Rising Sun: A true folk song that goes back at least a century, played and sung in many ways. Played on two different flutes: a mid-A Native American Style Flute, aromatic red cedar wood, made by Heartsong Flutes and a “high” A Native American Flute, aromatic cedar wood, made by High Spirits Flutes (Odell Borg). 

Both Sides Now: Though first released by Judy Collins in the 60’s, it was written by Joni Mitchell and became part of Joni’s best-loved songs. Played on Bansuri in the key of F. 

Bridge Over Troubled Water: A beautiful composition by Paul Simon from the early 70’s and made popular by Simon & Garfunkel. Played on Bansuri, key of A (including the flute playing harmony). 

Here Comes the Sun: Another song made popular by the Beatles, composed by George Harrison. Played on a “low” C# Native American Style Flute, in Lacewood, made by Heartsong Flutes. 

Moondance: Van Morrison’s great piece of jazz music from the early 70’s, and was widely played on popular music stations. This one took two flutes: a mid-E Native American Style Flute, western red cedar wood, made by Heartsong Flutes and a mid-A Native American Style Flute, aromatic eastern red cedar wood, made by Heartsong Flutes. 

Jamaica Farewell: Another song I heard through my parent’s albums by Harry Belafonte, it’s a song written in the 1920’s. Played on Bansuri, key of E and made by Dinesh Sharma through One World Flutes. 

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress: Covered by a number artists, Judy Collins recorded a lovely version of this Jimmy Webb composition in the early mid-70’s. Played on two flutes: a mid-E Native American Style Flute, made by Heartsong Flutes, western red cedar wood, made by Heartsong Flutes; and a mid-G Native American Style Flute, Kachina Peaks aspen wood, made by Heartsong Flutes. 

There is a Mountain – Jazz rendition: Same flute used here as the above “standard” cover version. I had heard this song played in a jazz format back in the early 70’s, and thought to make my own jazz “cover” version of this piece by Donovan. A lively way to close out this album! 

All songs arranged, performed, recorded and produced by Tom Farber.   Copyright credits to composers and publishers are listed on the album cover.

Mastered by Andrew Mitran

All Recordings Copyright 2025, Thomas Farber and Glacier Gorge Music

All Rights Reserved.  Unauthorized duplication is a violation of all applicable laws.

Due to Copyright restrictions, there are no samples of these songs on this site.