Author: a.charmanwilliams@gmail.com

  • Peter Coombe classical flattop mandolin

    Mandolin made by Peter Coombe from Australia. This model is the classical flattop mandolin and has red spruce top, jarrah back and sides and opal inlays.

  • Music

    A selection of songs and instrumentals by Andrew Charman-Williams or as Spiral Net. Spiral Net produces mainly electronic music either instrumental or with virtual or computer generated vocals while songs and instrumentals using my voice and/or real instruments are normally under my name..

    As well as many of them (except for cover songs) being available here, music videos of Andrew Charman-Williams are available at https://www.youtube.com/@andrewcharman-williams and https://www.youtube.com/@spiralnet for Spiral Net or a selection including Andrew Charman-Williams and Spiral Net on Facebook.

    Audio is available at https://andrewcharman-williams.bandcamp.com and  https://spiral-net.bandcamp.com/ for Spiral Net. A smaller range is available on SoundCloud under each artist’s name.

    The full selection will appear below but to narrow the selection down the following categories can be used though at the moment there is a lot of doubling up so the same content may show in multiple places..

    Songs either by Andrew Charman-Williams or Spiral Net
    Instrumentals either by Andrew Charman-Williams or Spiral Net
    Spiral Net music
    Lyrics which includes most of the songs from above as well as lyrics where no recordings have been provided or that are unused

  • I am who I am

    I am who I am is an electronic rock song featuring Natalie and Hayden from Synthesizer V on vocals. It was written by Andrew Charman-Williams and produced by Spiral Net.

    Lyrics

    I like what I like
    I want what I want
    I want what I want
    I like what I like

    I need what I need
    I have what I have
    I have what I have
    I need what I need

    I was who I was
    I am who I am
    I am who I am
    I was who I was

    I am who I am
    I was who I was
    I was who I was
    I am who I am

  • Shades of Grey

    Shades of Grey by Andrew Charman-Williams is a ballad with acoustic guitar and a string arrangement.

    Lyrics

    In a world of black and white,
    Everything, from dark to light,
    Every shade and every hue,
    In your love, I found what’s true.

    Shades of grey, in love we sway,
    Lost in your eyes, come what may,
    In this world of ours please stay
    Shades of grey, never fade away.

    Through the storms and sunny days,
    In your arms, I’ll always stay,
    Life’s a canvas, we’ll paint it bright,
    Our love’s colours will ignite.

    Shades of grey, in love we sway,
    Lost in your eyes, come what may,
    In this world of ours please stay
    Shades of grey, never fade away.

    Reds and blues, in love’s embrace,
    With every shade, our hearts keep pace,
    Through the darkness, into the day,
    In your love, all fear will fade away.

    In this world of black and white,
    You and I, we’ll shine so bright,
    Hand in hand, we’ll find our way,
    In the shades of grey, we’ll always stay. 

    Shades of grey, in love we sway,
    Lost in your eyes, come what may,
    In this world of ours please stay
    Shades of grey, never fade away.

    Shades of grey, in love we sway,
    Lost in your eyes, come what may,
    In this world of ours please stay
    Shades of grey, never fade away.

  • Dead End Street

    Dead End Street is a reasonably uptempo soft rock song by Andrew Charman-Williams.

    Lyrics

    I’m walking down this empty road
    A faded line, where dreams corrode
    All the street lights have burned out
    In this town where hope’s in doubt

    It feels like I’ve been here for so long
    Stuck in a place where I don’t belong
    But I’ll keep pushing through the night
    I’ll find a way to make it right

    I’m on a dead-end street, a dead-end street
    Get me off this dead-end street
    I’m on a dead-end street, a dead-end street
    Get me off this dead-end street

    The shadows whisper tales of despair
    Broken dreams and hearts laid bare
    But I won’t let this street define
    The path I walk, the things I’ll find

    Feels like I’ve hit a dead-end sign,
    But I won’t let my spirit decline,
    Through the echoes of the city’s beat,
    I’ll rise again, won’t face defeat.

    I’m on a dead-end street, a dead-end street
    Get me off this dead-end street
    I’m on a dead-end street, a dead-end street
    Get me off this dead-end street

    In the whispers of the midnight air,
    I’ll face my fears, I won’t despair,
    On this road where hopes retreat,
    I’ll carve a path, won’t face defeat.

    I’m on a dead-end street, a dead-end street
    Get me off this dead-end street
    I’m on a dead-end street, a dead-end street
    Get me off this dead-end street

    I’m on a dead-end street, a dead-end street
    Get me off this dead-end street
    I’m on a dead-end street, a dead-end street
    Get me off this dead-end street

  • Love and Loss

    Love and Loss is a song written by Andrew Charman-Williams and produced by Spiral Net and features Hayden & Natalie from Synthesizer V on vocals.

    Unlike most of my songs Love and Loss has two different versions with one as Spiral Net and the other as Andrew Charman-Williams. Here is the Andrew Charman-Williams version which predominantly uses real instruments and vocals rather than virtual or electronic.

    Lyrics

    I search for your face
    memories of you time cannot erase
    your laughter, touch, smile
    gone but with me all the while

    love and loss
    such a cost
    hearts torn apart
    never fully lost

    whispers call out your name
    never the same
    the fire that burned
    now ashes, lesson learned

    love and loss
    such a cost
    hearts torn apart
    never fully lost

    tears falling like rain
    drowning in pain
    the love we once knew
    gone but forever true

    love and loss
    such a cost
    hearts torn apart
    never fully lost

  • The Candle

    The Candle by Spiral Net (written by Andrew Charman-Williams) and featuring vocals by Hayden & Solaria of Synthesizer V. This is an older poem (Waxen Form) that was set to music and was used to introduce myself to the use of Synthesizer V vocals.

    Lyrics

    the wick runs short the 
    candle fades
    then flickers
    and goes out

    how many people
    has she warmed
    how many
    shared her light

    though with the wind
    and with the rain
    her flame
    nearly died

    she overcame
    everything
    until finally
    there is no more

    now she has
    no use no 
    beauty she 
    lies still cold

    darkness surrounds her

    is this the 
    end or the 
    beginning
    of something new

  • Flow My Tears

    by John Dowland

    A modern interpretation of Flow My Tears by John Dowland from “The Second Booke of Songs or Ayres” from 1600. Arranged by Andrew Charman-Williams and produced by Spiral Net featuring vocals from Hayden & Natalie of Synthesizer V.

  • The Merry Conclusion | Camberwell

    This instrumental by Spiral Net is based on a couple of 3/2 tunes from Dancing Master volume 2 from around 1710-1718 called The Merry Conclusion (or The Assembly) and Camberwell. These are not treated in a traditional manner but as melodies for electronic music.

  • Almost Spring

    Almost Spring is an acoustic instrumental for mandolin and Irish bouzouki by Andrew Charman-Williams.

  • Floating Downstream

    Floating Downstream is a partly acoustic, laid back instrumental by Andrew Charman-Williams.

  • With Arms Wide Open

    With Arms Wide Open by Andrew Charman-Williams is a fairly laid back soft rock/pop song.

    Lyrics

    In the dark and lonely night
    I find myself searching for a light
    And though my heart is heavy with regret 
    I know that I’ll rise above it yet 

    I will run to you
    With arms wide open 
    And I will chase the blues 
    Until my heart is broken 

    I’ve been wandering through the storm 
    With nothing but a broken heart
    But I’ll keep on moving forward
    Till I find a brand new start 

    I will run to you
    With arms wide open 
    And I will chase the blues 
    Until my heart is broken 

    And I’ll keep on climbing 
    Higher and higher
    Till I reach the top
    And see my heart’s desire 

    I will run to you
    With arms wide open 
    And I will chase the blues 
    Until my heart is broken 

    I will run to you
    With arms wide open 
    And I will chase the blues 
    Until my heart is broken 

    And when the night is over
    And the storm has passed
    I’ll look up to the heavens
    And know that I’ve found my way at last. 

  • On the Drive Home

    On the Drive Home is a song by Andrew Charman-Williams. It is a reasonably uptempo rock/pop song with a slight country rock feel.

    Lyrics

    I’m leaving work, the sun is setting low
    Traffic’s heavy, but my mind is free to roam
    I turn the music up, and let my thoughts take flight 
    On the drive home, everything feels just right

    I’m leaving the city, leaving the stress behind 
    On the drive home, I finally feel alive 

    On the drive home, everything feels right 
    All my worries, they fade into the night
    On the drive home, I finally feel free 
    To be myself, to just be me 

    I’m driving past the fields and the old farm land 
    The sky is orange and the clouds are shifting sand 
    I take a deep breath, and let my senses take in
    On the drive home, it’s like a new beginning 

    I’m leaving the city, leaving the stress behind 
    On the drive home, I finally feel alive 

    On the drive home, everything feels right 
    All my worries, they fade into the night 
    On the drive home, I finally feel free 
    To be myself, to just be me 

    I’m heading home, to where my heart belongs 
    I’m leaving behind the chaos and the throngs 
    On the drive home, I’m at peace 
    With the world, with myself, I am released 

    I’m almost home, I can see the lights
    I’m almost home, I can feel the love inside 
    I pull in the driveway, and turn off the car 
    On the drive home, I’ve traveled so far

    I’m leaving the city, leaving the stress behind 
    On the drive home, I finally feel alive 

    On the drive home, everything feels right 
    All my worries, they fade into the night
    On the drive home, I finally feel free 
    To be myself, to just be me 

    On the drive home, everything feels right 
    All my worries, they fade into the night 
    On the drive home, I finally feel free 
    To be myself, to just be me 

    On the drive home, I’ve come to know 
    All that I’ve been, and all that I’ll grow 
    On the drive home, I finally see 
    All that I am, and all that I’ll be. 
    On the drive home

  • Mirror Mirror

    Mirror Mirror is a laid back, predominantly acoustic song with folk, rock and pop influences by Andrew Charman-Williams.

    Lyrics

    In the mirror’s gentle gaze I stand, 
    Reflecting thoughts, a shifting land. 
    Eyes that hold both joy and pain, 
    A canvas where emotions reign.

    Oh, mirror, mirror, on the wall, 
    You hold my truth, you see it all. 
    With flaws and strengths still standing tall 
    mirror mirror don’t let me fall

    Each line etched by fleeting years, 
    Stories told, whispers of tears.
    Smiles that dance like morning light, 
    And furrowed brows in silent night.

    Oh, mirror, mirror, on the wall, 
    You hold my truth, you see it all. 
    With flaws and strengths still standing tall 
    mirror mirror don’t let me fall

    Oh, mirror, show me who I’ve been, 
    The battles fought, the growth within. 
    Every scar every rise and fall 
    reflect my spirit standing tall 

    Oh, mirror, mirror, on the wall, 
    You hold my truth, you see it all. 
    With flaws and strengths still standing tall 
    mirror mirror don’t let me fall

    In the morning’s gentle light 
    in the shadows of the night
    reflect the beauty the pain I bear 
    in your glass it’s all laid bare

    Oh, mirror, mirror, on the wall, 
    You hold my truth, you see it all. 
    With flaws and strengths still standing tall 
    mirror mirror don’t let me fall

  • Found My Peace

    Found my Peace is a laid-back song by Andrew Charman-Williams

    Lyrics

    Sitting on my porch, watching the world go by 
    Feeling the sun on my skin, the wind in my eye 
    Peace and contentment is all that I need

    No worries, no stress, just pure serenity 

    Cause I’ve found my peace, in the simple things 
    In the quiet moments, my heart sings

    No need for fame or fortune or greed

    Just the beauty of life, that’s all I need

    The sound of the birds, the rustle of leaves 
    Nature’s symphony, it brings me to my knees 
    In this peaceful place, I’m free to be me

    No mask, no pretense, just authenticity 

    Cause I’ve found my peace, in the simple things 
    In the quiet moments, my heart sings

    No need for fame or fortune or greed

    Just the beauty of life, that’s all I need

    I’m just letting go of what I can’t control

    Just seeking peace and healing my soul

    Cause I’ve found my peace, in the simple things 
    In the quiet moments, my heart sings

    No need for fame or fortune or greed
    Just the beauty of life, that’s all I need 

    Sitting on my porch, watching the world go by 
    Feeling the sun on my skin, the wind in my eye 
    Peace and contentment is all that I need

    No worries, no stress, just pure serenity. 

  • Eternal Aching

    Eternal Aching is a slow to medium tempo rock song by Andrew Charman-Williams

    Lyrics

    In the darkness of the night 
    I hear your voice so clear 
    Calling out my name
    But you’re not here 

    Oh, how I long for you
    My love, my heart is breaking 
    I’m lost without you
    In this eternal aching 

    I see you in my dreams
    But when I wake, you’re gone 
    I’m holding on to nothing
    But the memory of you 

    Oh, how I long for you
    My love, my heart is breaking 
    I’m lost without you
    In this eternal aching 

    I’ll wait for you forever
    In this lonely place
    I’ll keep your love inside me 
    Until we meet again

    Oh, how I long for you
    My love, my heart is breaking
    I’m lost without you
    In this eternal aching 

    Oh, how I long for you
    My love, my heart is breaking
    I’m lost without you
    In this eternal aching 

    In the darkness of the night 
    I’ll hear your voice so clear
    Calling out my name
    But you’re not here
    You’re not here
    You’re not here
    You’re not here

  • Hamlel

    Hamlel is a partly acoustic instrumental for Irish bouzouki and accordion by Andrew Charman-Williams.

    Even though this is the version with revised audio there are still some audio issues so I will think about re-recording it at some point.

  • Sadness – lyrics

    Lyrics for Sadness by Andrew Charman-Williams that are currently unused. They may or may not form the basis to a song at some point.

    Lyrics

    (Verse 1)
    In shadows cast by tear-stained skies,
    A tender soul in sorrow lies.
    Where heavy hearts bear silent pain,
    And whispered woes like falling rain.

    (Pre-Chorus)
    Yet in this somber, muted hue,
    A glimmer lingers, faint but true.
    For tears, a cleansing, healing stream,
    To wash away the pain, it seems.

    (Chorus)
    Oh, in sadness, we find strength,
    Through every trial’s breadth and length.
    With every tear, a chance to grow,
    To rise above the darkest woe.

    (Verse 2)
    In depths of darkness, sadness weaves,
    A web of sorrow that never leaves.
    Through valleys low, it gently creeps,
    And in our hearts, its presence seeps.

    (Pre-Chorus)
    Yet in this somber, muted hue,
    A glimmer lingers, faint but true.
    For tears, a cleansing, healing stream,
    To wash away the pain, it seems.

    (Chorus)
    Oh, in sadness, we find strength,
    Through every trial’s breadth and length.
    With every tear, a chance to grow,
    To rise above the darkest woe.

    (Bridge)
    And when the night seems long and cold,
    And happiness feels far too old,
    Remember, dear, through joy and strife,
    In every tear, there’s hope and life.

    (Chorus)
    Oh, in sadness, we find strength,
    Through every trial’s breadth and length.
    With every tear, a chance to grow,
    To rise above the darkest woe.

    (Outro)
    So let the tears fall gently now,
    For they’ll not drown us anyhow.
    For through this pain, we’ll find our way,
    To brighter skies, a brand new day. 

  • What if You’re Wrong – lyrics

    Lyrics for What if you’re wrong by Andrew Charman-Williams that are currently unused. They may or may not form the basis of a song at some point.

    Lyrics

    (Verse 1)
    In the quiet of the night, with stars up in the sky,
    I’m pondering the mysteries, the questions in my mind,
    What if the path I’ve taken, isn’t leading me back home?
    What if the truth I’ve known is just a tale I’ve always known?

    (Chorus)
    Oh, what if you’re wrong and I am right?
    What if we’re both lost in this moonlit light?
    We chase our dreams, like birds in flight,
    But what if you’re wrong, and I am right?

    (Verse 2)
    Through fields of wildflowers, we danced without a care,
    Your laughter was a melody that hung upon the air,
    But the shadows of uncertainty now cloud my restless heart,
    What if the love we built on dreams is bound to fall apart?

    (Chorus)
    Oh, what if you’re wrong and I am right?
    What if we’re both lost in this moonlit light?
    We chase our dreams, like birds in flight,
    But what if you’re wrong, and I am right?

    (Bridge)
    Can we find common ground, where our souls align?
    Or are we destined to forever question, to forever wonder why?

    (Verse 3)
    The wind carries our whispers as we speak of what’s to come,
    We’re drifting on the ocean, unsure of what we’ve become,
    But in this tangled mess of doubts, we find our hearts entwined,
    A glimmer of hope amidst the fear, a chance to heal, to realign.

    (Chorus)
    Oh, what if you’re wrong and I am right?
    What if we’re both lost in this moonlit light?
    We chase our dreams, like birds in flight,
    But what if you’re wrong, and I am right?

    (Outro)
    In the embrace of the night, we’ll find our way,
    Hand in hand, we’ll face the dawn of a brand new day,
    For in the end, it’s not about who’s right or who’s wrong,
    But the love we share that keeps us strong.

  • Lazy Sunday Arvo

    Lazy Sunday Arvo is a mainly acoustic instrumental by Andrew Charman-Williams.

  • Oscar Schmidt Requinto

    The requinto is a short scale relative of the flamenco/classical guitar from Mexico and Spain. Typical tuning is a fourth higher than guitar A2-D3-G3-C4-E4-A4. One of several instruments on the list for the next restringing session.

  • Gladstone Guitars Irish bouzouki

    Irish bouzouki made by Gladstone Guitars from Australia.

  • Artist Guitars Tenor Guitar

    Although called a guitar tenor guitars also have a lot in common with the tenor banjo or mandolin family being tuned in 5ths. I have it tuned CGCG or CGDA though I also like the low tuning GDGD or GDAE.

  • Weissenborn inspired lap steel guitar

    Weissenborn inspired lap steel guitar made from Blackwood by Andrew Charman-Williams

  • kit built dreadnought guitar

    Andrew Charman-Williams dreadnought guitar – walnut back built using a kit

  • kit built OOO guitar

    Andrew Charman-Williams OOO guitar Rosewood back and sides built using a kit

  • Regal Tiple

    The tiple has many different variations depending on which part of America (mainly South America) they are from. The Regal tiple is of the North American variety developed by Martin in around 1919. It is similar in size to a tenor ukulele but has ten steel strings arranged in four courses. Typical tuning is A4/A3, D4/D3/D4, F#4/F#3/F#4, B3/B3. This tiple is currently unplayable as it needs repairs to the headstock.

  • banjo mandolin

    An old banjo mandolin by an unknown maker. Head is splitting along one edge so it could do with replacement but as it is mainly a wall-hanger it is not a priority.

  • Balalaika

    The balalaika is an instrument of Russian origin. It has 3 strings with a typical tuning of E4, E4, A4.

  • Phin

    The phin is an instrument from Thailand. It has 3 strings with a typical tuning of E A E. Like dulcimers it has diatonic rather than chromatic frets.

  • unknown single string instrument

    Looks a bit like an ektara or tumbi but has the second resonator at the back.

  • unknown bowed instrument

    I have forgotten what this is so will have to find out. It is a single string instrument for use with a bow.

    Possibly a rebab or rebaba which do have a wide range of shapes depending on which country they are from.

  • Oud

    The oud is of middle-eastern origin and is a precursor to the lute. This one has 11 strings arranged in 6 courses. Common tunings are D2, G2/G2, A2/A2, D3/D3, G3/G3, C4/C4 or C2, F2/F2 A2/A2, D3/D3, G3/G3, C4/C4. Unlike lutes ouds are fretless.

  • Kora

    The kora is an instrument from West Africa with the body made of a gourd covered in animal skin. It has 21 strings and has similarities to a harp in that strings are not fretted, however playing techniques are very different to the harp. This one has guitar tuners rather than the traditional leather rings.

  • Lokanga voatavo (also known as Tzetze or zeze)

    I think this is a lokanga voatavo (lokango voatovo) or tzetze or zeze which is a small African instrument. This one has 3 strings on a stick attached to a gourd.