The
Children
In Memory of Grace
(TP1011,
2011)
Sample
song: See
Me in the Good Place
Illuminated
gospel
In
Memory of Grace
is a set of 28 songs on two CDs, recorded in the Tipi studio at Crystal
Palace. The songs were written over years, and now it seemed their time
was ripe. Like those on Equals,
the album before
it, they were assembled with a central motive there it is equity,
the foundation of a better economy and ecology; this time its the
spirit.
Our recorder
is an Akai 12-track (the Akai MG1214), which uses a special format of
1/2-inch tape cassettes that are no longer made. State-of-the-art in the
1980s, the machine is now of Biblical antiquity. The engineers whod
been maintaining it doubted they could fix it any longer if parts gave
way. So we felt this was going to be the last project we could count on
it for sadly, after its 10 years of splendid, if occasionally frustrating,
service.
Still
we were minded to proceed with extreme caution. We couldnt afford
to get stranded halfway through. So we aimed to complete each chapter
of the album seven songs at a time before moving on to the
next. We put down the basic live trio performances John, Armorel
and Hayereyah, guitar, bass, percussion and vocals. Then all the overdub
sessions with our gifted guest musicians had to be done and mixes made
just in case before we worked on the next chapter. You can
see why it ended up taking two years. One result is that the album has
the feeling of four subtly distinct "sides", like a double LP.
In the end,
old Betsy was a perfect lady, and she saw us right through to the last
full-stop. She even allowed us to do a final phase of tape-mastering,
for that topping layer of creamy sound.
As well as
the complete 28-track double album, housed in unique hand-built artwork,
we have selected 12 tracks for a single-disc
edition of In Memory of Grace, which comes in a standard jewel
case.
A
volume of unconventional spiritual songs dedicated to the Most High; a
poetry and music rooted in English lyrical ballads; in Bob Dylan, and
the sons and daughters of Bob; in Ezekiel, Matthew and the Psalms; in
cultural reggae and the gospel blues.
The
Children
John Gibbens
guitar, vocals, bits of keys and one bit of harp
Armorel Weston vocals, bass guitar, shakuhachi
Hayereyah percussion, harp, jaw harp, vocals
We count
ourselves blessed to have been helped by this prodigious gang of talents
Erick Legrand
snare and cymbals
Arnold
Lane
drums
Katherine
Toy
accordion
Darren
Morris
virtual Hammond
Nigel
Goulding
Roland vibes
Hipsophily
Escott & Sybylla DeMontagna
harmony singing
Kay
Grant
harmony singing
Nina
Walsh
harmony singing
Isaac
Lee-Kronick
electric guitar
Ricky
Edwards
flute and bass clarinet
Alex
Ward
clarinet
Lol
Coxhill
soprano saxophone
Lyrics
and audio clips
Volume
I
Chapter 1
Celebrate Your whirlwind of words wont
turn us around
And Dust Be Raised We much mistrust
that this be just [MP3
audio clip]
See
Me in the Good Place I hear they got a river running [MP3
audio clip]
Again
You could get old in the wink of an eye
Turn Time takes a turn from the dark to the sunshine
Waters of Sleep If youll find just
a handful, a handful of loved ones [MP3
audio clip]
Dreaming
Hill When we set out for Dreaming Hill one morning early, bright and
still
Chapter
2
Isaac
Where are we going, dear father mine?
Second
Thoughts Oh we could run, run and never tire [MP3
audio clip]
Judith
and Holofernes Ill sing a noble general, of skill forged in
battle
Something
Stronger These, when the moment came, recalled the name
Ghost
Dancing Go ghost dancing to ease your troubles
Made
of Love Man made of love, made of love, strong and lowly, wronged
and holy
Little
Children Whenever did a man have to fight so hard?
Volume
II
Chapter
3
World
Without Mercy Theyll be taking you for all youve got
No
Name You hold me in the palm of your hand
Fashion
a Prayer I fashioned my prayers and I fashioned them well [MP3
audio clip]
Heart
of Flesh Free the heart of flesh from the heart of stone [MP3
audio clip]
Greatest
Wonder I was up on the hill and the sun was going down
Grow Strong A little more speed is just
what the world doesnt need [MP3
audio clip]
Heaven
Knows Live up, people, live up, dont give up
Chapter
4
Coming
True You let the music in you grow
Love
and Trust Love and trust are not the only options, there are wreck
and rust
The
Tyger
Tyger, Tyger, burning bright: a setting of William Blakes Song of
Experience [MP3
audio clip]
Gone
for Good Dont go down with your mouth dumb, with your own story
untold [MP3
audio clip]
Time
for You Ill come to you tomorrow, Ill comfort you today
Out
Where the Pines Grow Out where the pines grow dark and tall, Mary
and Joseph are feeling small
This
Lifes the One You better walk while daylight lasts, walk in
the light, walk in the light
Buy
In Memory of Grace
(deluxe double CD) via PayPal
In
Memory of Grace
The Children
(TP1011)
UK:
£13 (inc. P&P)
Overseas: £14 (inc. P&P)
More
about The Children
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