Sunday Sessions: Song in the Night
Jeana Leslie adapted the words of Orcadian poet Duncan J. Robertson to make lyrics for a song, which was then put to music by Jeana along with Rory Matheson and Catriona Price.
It is called Song in the Night. In darkening landscape the poet evokes the idea of being alone, of waiting in uncertainty. This takes place in a dark vista pierced at times by lightening strikes.
The only help is song.
but, as time unfolds, sunrise begins to counter night’s fears. song has proved to be steadfast companion as day comes.
“….and the heart of the world is a song of love and hope for days to be”
Jeana Leslie sings lead. Her bandmates in the group Fara join her, with Kristan Harvey and Catriona Price on fiddles and Rory Mahteron on piano.
Catriona, Jeana, and Kristan grew up as childhood friends on Mainland Orkney, went their separate ways for university studies in various sorts of music. They each won top awards along the way.
Back home for the Orkney Festival three, along with friend Jennifer Austin on keyboards, played a gig at the after hours event at the festival. It was mean to be a one off gig, they thought.
Musicians had such a good time and received such a warm response for the audience that they decided to do a few more. Ten years on, they’re still at it.
Eventually, Jen Austin moved on to other projects and Rory Matheson, who comes form Assynt in the northwest Highlands, was invited to join in,brining his expereince in music if the Highlands and interest in jazz and blues to the band.
You will find Song in the Night recorded on Fara’s album Energy Islands.
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This story will appear around the time of Memorial Day in the US. That’s a time to remember and honor all those who have given their time and their lives in service, especially military service.
If you have connections to the Viet Nam War, or to any war, really, you will want to have a read of this piece I wrote about a series that looked at the lives of nurses and other in war. There’s a bit of music in it too.
Speaking of climate and energy, you may find this of interest too. There’s a bit of music in it too, three songs you may not have heard.
The Ring of Brodgar, ancient standing stones and the legend of a fiddler on Orkney
More about the album Energy Islands
Other things to know about Orkney
Another musician from Scotland
Fara’s web site
If you’d like to ma one off contribution to support my work, you could buy me a coffee (n my case it would be tea, but you get the thought)
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