Noel Giblett is a seasoned singer/songwriter whose career spans 35 years. He is widely known, respected and appreciated for his thoughtful, sometimes quirky, often provocative, but always heartfelt writing and performing
Like many musicians Noel also has a ‘day job’. However unlike many musicians his day job is closely linked to the spirit and substance of his music. He is a counsellor, psychotherapist and group facilitator specialising in men’s work and couples counselling.
In workshops and retreats, Noel often uses music to deepen reflection and discussion. Thirty years as a therapist have taught him that the most personal themes are often the most universal and his songs enhance our reflection on our own journeys.
In his latest CD, Surrender (2013), Noel takes us on a personal and intimate journey into areas of life that deeply touch many of us at some point – areas like midlife, marriage, faith, fear, loss, leaving family and returning, inner pilgrimage, the centrality of integrity and finding our own voice. You can order Surrender HERE.
Noel’s previous CD, Welcome to Midlife (2006), explored everything from Meeting Joni Mitchell to the Song of Songs, TS Eliot’s East Coker and all points in between. Noel wrote about nightfall on Rottnest Island, the cycles of day and night, love, marriage, mothering, ageing and fatigue, claiming your true self, the unlived life, the embodied life, faith, the Pathways to Manhood program and watching a city disappear in a deluge, then reappear at first light.
Noel lives in Perth, Western Australia. He is married to Les, has two young-adult children and a fluctuating number of pets.
Note: Copies of Welcome to Midlife are still available for $20 ($30 for two) incl postage. To order, use the Contact Us page to send Noel a message. He will reply with the payment arrangements.
“Surrender” – Noel’s Story:
“I wrote these songs in the early part of the twenty-first century, between 2003 and 2008. They were born of various experiences of gain and loss, joy and sorrow. The songs were young and still had some maturing ahead of them, but I sensed some good raw material.
Michael and I first started experimenting with arrangements in 2009 and 2010. We got together a few times in Michael’s lounge room with a portable digital recorder not much bigger than a pack of cards. The experiments were promising and in early 2011 we decided to get serious and go into the studio to lay down some tracks. Every month or two we’d do another session and eventually, in June 2013, the album was ready.
At the end of our final mastering session, Michael asked me, ‘How long did that take us?’ ‘Three hours,’ I said. ‘No, I meant how many years?’ ‘Oh, four or five…’ I replied.
‘Well,’ said Michael, ‘I reckon it was time well spent.’ I had to agree, and that goes for the 35 years of friendship and musical collaboration that preceded this project and made it all possible. Thank you MD for your skilled and loving attention to these songs.”
