I am happy to release a new recording of the song “I Look Behind Me” from the musical “The Burning of the White House”, which I am almost finished writing (after four years) with the great composer Norman Berman.

Set against the backdrop of the War of 1812 and the British invasion of Washington DC, the play charts the young slave Paul Jennings and his growth from boy to man during the trauma of the nation’s invasion and the burning of the White House by the British.

The song “I Look Behind Me” is sung by President Madison (pictured above) after he lost the Battle of Bladensburg in Maryland, which enabled the British to lay waste to the capital, prompting the deeply shamed Madison to reflect on his responsibility for the tragedy.

Some more exciting song releases are on their way!

My good friend and composer Norman Berman has released a new version of the song “Here Is I” from our upcoming musical “The Burning of the White House”.

Briefly, “The Burning of the White House” is about Paul Jennings, the 15-year-old house slave to President and Mrs. Madison, who discovers his true heroism, strength, and purpose, living through one of the most momentous event in the nation’s history – the burning of the White House by the British in 1814.

The song “Here I Is” is an ironic duet sung by the young slave (and a 50-year-old version of himself) to Dolley Madison, as the younger Paul becomes evermore conscious of his desire for freedom, while also trying to balance the mother-son relationship he has with Dolley with the painful reality of his enslavement.

You can visit this website for more details about the show!