Salt and Light #12
All About Love
All About Love ❤
“The word love is most often defined as a noun, yet we would all love better if we used it as a verb.” writes Bell Hooks in her book ‘All about Love.’ Concerned not only with love as romance and desire, but also a new path to love that is sacred, redemptive and healing for our nation, Hooks talks about how our power to love is much greater than we think, and draws attention to the barriers to love and lovelessness that exists in our society. This book, along with Marianne Williamson’s ‘Return to Love’, which Hooks refers to, are beautiful bibles of love.
Songs I’ve fallen in love with this year …
The Valley – KD Lang: This song is really beautiful to listen to while walking. The line ‘The staccato of the staff’ is so unusual and musical, and the words ‘the burgeoning holding’ stopped me in my tracks. This is a profound retelling of Psalm 23. KD Lang’s sweeping vocals undulate like the hills of the valley.
Love is Everything – Jane Siberry: I only discovered this Canadian artist this year, and got hooked on her songwriting, and turn of phrase. I love the way she uses the colloquial phrase ‘You’re chickening out aren’t you?’ within the wider context of why we love and the lessons it brings.
Haja o que Houver – Maderedus: The romance of Fado music is evident on the album ‘O Paraiso’ by Madredeus. I love the evocative voice of Teresa Salgueiro. ‘Haja o que Houver’ which translates as ‘Come what may, I am here’ is a gorgeous crossover of Portuguese traditional music with folk..
Swallow – Jim Molyneux: A lovely example of ‘Love Thy Neighbour’ – a neighbour from my local church, left the Spell Songs II CD “Let the Light In” on my doorstep as a surprise gift this week. Poignant timing as I was going to see the album played Live at the Symphony Hall, Birmingham that weekend. ‘Swallow’ seemed to encapsulate the grey January day, and reading the inspiration of the song, that is what it is about; the sorrow of the swallows leaving, yearning for summer to come. Jim’s voice really captivated me and I felt the emotion behind the song, as he brought to life Robert Mcfarlane’s tender words.
When You Know – Shawn Colvin: I love Shawn Colvin’s voice, and recognised it straight away on the soundtrack of the film ‘Serendipity’. It’s about that feeling of knowing something deeply; love, a friendship, a place to live. It is intuitive and immediate.
When You Know – Shawn Colvin: I love Shawn Colvin’s voice, and recognised it straight away on the soundtrack of the film ‘Serendipity’. It’s about that feeling of knowing something deeply; love, a friendship, a place to live. It is intuitive and immediate.
LIVE SHOWS
London Calling
My first gig of the year is this month, with the wonderful singer-songwriter Edwina Hayes. Tickets are selling quickly, and it’s a relatively cosy room, but there are still a few left if you click the link below. I can’t wait to be performing in London again!
This event was a beautiful tonic at the end of a long winter month. Live artist Jackie Morris, the visionary behind this project, brings eight musicians together from around the world to sing the spells of poet Robert Macfarlane. Jackie paints two otters and a fox whilst on stage, magnified on the big screen for the audience to see in real time. Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis, sings with Scottish musician Karine Polwart about the Kingfisher and the Goldfinch. Beth Porter on cello and ukulele, Rachel Newton on harp and Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita perform songs about the Jay, the Curlew and the Daisy. Kris Drever and Jim Molyneux sing haunting songs about the majesty of the Oak and ‘Little Astronaut’ an ode to the Skylark. I was transported into a place of magic and wonder. There was a communal sense of triumph and awe at the end of the concert; every single person stood in rapturous applause. A friend said, this is the kind of music that brings the best out in people. This was a blessing for all that has been lost in our natural world, and a celebration that what we have is enough.
(Left to right) Spell Songs encore and after-show coffee mocktail at Qavali, Birmingham, next door to the Symphony Hall. The circular symbol above signifies Qawwali music, which is a form of Sufi Islamic devotional singing, originating from India and Pakistan. It’s poetry, hypnotic rhythms, and melodies are said to bring listeners into a spiritual union with God, no matter your personal faith.
Happy Valentines!
With love,
