Thanks Sam, my wife (singer and songwriter) and I (not a singer but songwriter) have been working of several Gospel songs. I might hear or see a phrase on a church sign and that will be the prompt to find the rest of the story. I seems that most often it's a chorus phrase or hook that I then have to find the story to fit and that is difficult, but enjoyable.
I read once that every story can be broken down into some one coming into town or leaving town, It does seem to fit.
I enjoy listening to the words that Loreena McKennitt uses and the simple chords that can be profound in many of her songs such as "Night Ride Across The Caucasus"
My biggest problem is that I am drawn to the melody and have a hard time figuring out how the instruments fill into there parts. That's where BIAB has help me hear what else can go on.
It seem that in certain cultures from Irish to Bluegrass to Middle Eastern that there is a sharing of the musical lead but it almost seems the same simple chord pattern that each instrument takes a crack at. I can see the need to give the singer a rest or some breathing room and I can see the need for each musician to shine as well.
When you did your survey of the music, did you ever chart the songs for note or chord progressions for the length of time for a rise or fall, something like how the stock market charts look or a mountain range. If you've heard the Ventures "Slaughter on 5TH Ave", that sorta what I'm talking about. I may have said what you just said but differently.
I'd like to hear some other thoughts on how or what you hear. I'm going to try the I IV V7 and see how this compares to what we have been writing.
Wyndham