Emily
Burridge
'cellist, composer and producer
Footsteps in the Sand
Album
Title
Footsteps
in the Sand
Released
2004
Genre
Ambient
Label
White
Horse World Music
UPC
501870522420
This
album encapsulates creative developments born out of a deepening relationship
with both the people and the natural environment of Brazil.
"It's the cello though that ties everything together
and makes this whole album impossible to ignore...Still, if you
need to escape into music that is deep, thoughtful and also lifts
your spirits then look no further than Emily Burridge. 100%.
We sat and watched,
The Sea drew the line
Cool waters, memories in time.
The shifting sands, like an hour glass,
How quickly this time has passed.
We tossed a flower in to the sea
We lit a candle in the sand,
The flame that burned, still speaks to me
Brings memories of that land
The
lyrics of the second track, "Candle in the Sand", refer
to the annual Birthday celebrations of Yemenja (Goddess of the Sea)
when the custom of making offerings in the sea in the form of flowers
takes place. "We tossed a flower into the sea, we lit a candle
in the Sand".
The
third track "Dia dos Mortos" ("Day of the Dead")
further refers to Brazilian festivals. Integrated within the music
is a recording of a procession made on the Day of the Dead. The
people in the procession ecstatically shout out the names of their
patron saints as they converge on the town square after a day of
offering prayers at all the sacred sites in the town.
The
track features percussionist Milton Fiori from Fortaleza playing
the Birinbal (a percussion instrument of African origin known mainly
for it's association with Capoira) and the Udu (a clay pot,also
of African origin).Half way through the track the 12 string guitar
enters performed by Manasses an eminent musician from Fortaleza.
Emily commenced recording this track in a studio in Fortaleza and
then completed it in London.
The percussionist Milton Fiori and the 12 string guitarist Manasses
are featured playing on "Kame", "Candle in the Sand",
"Dia dos Mortos" and "Distant Shore" (instrumental
version of "Candle in the Sand").
In
one place, which the locals referred to as the "end of the
line" she encountered the Tremembe Indians who lived in the
sand dunes set back from the sea. The Chief and his daughter decided
to sing some of their traditional songs. Emily recorded them and
three of the Tremembe songs form the base for her tracks "Rainmaker",
"Agua de Menina" and "Prayer for the Fishermen".
These tracks are an audible response to her experience with the
Tremembe Indians and the isolated place in which they live.
Emily's
musical research led her to be introduced to two music schools for
children. The musical activities offer an alternative to working
in the cane plantations. She was invited to give music workshops
and on one occasion was amazed by the singing voice of a boy named
Eduan Rodrigues de Almeida. Inviting him to sing his favourite song
she recorded him singing "A Margem do Igarape". This song
commences "Realised Dream" and the lyrics for this song
describe the experience of meeting Eduan and hearing him sing his
song in the peace of the local forest.
"Realised Dream" part 2 commences with percussion made
and performed by the children of the Casa Grande Foundation of Nova
Olinda. Emily accompanies this recording with solo 'cello playing
an arrangement of the theme of the song performed by Eduan.
On
returning from Brazil Emily worked in Austria with the producer
and guitarist Gandalf. Having worked on his album she then recorded
two of her songs, "Black Madonna" and "Dolphin Love".
The
lyrics of "Black Madonna", are based on a 15th century
Latin verse when the Pope decreed that images of the Black Madonna
should be removed from public veneration. The places where the images
were hidden subsequently became pilgrimage places. The Black Madonna
is the patron Saint of Brazil.
"Dolphin Love" is a pop song and a new departure for Emily.
With sequenced rythms and featured electric guitar.
"Out of the Blue" is a solo 'cello piece with recordings
of waves crashing on a distant shore.
Prayer for the Fishermen
This is a prayer for the fishermen,
For those people out there,
At that place on the end of the line,
Where their world is just sea and sky.
Our boat is led through dark waters
Our tears are of the Sea.
Realised Dream part 1
I remember you, as though it were yesterday,
I have your picture on the wall.
Your young body so weathered
Yet resisting the storm.
I remember you as though it were yesterday,
Your song rang out in the wood.
Enraptured I listened,
So silent, I stood.
I remember you as though it were yesterday,
I will always think of you.
As your song keeps on playing
So will your dreams come true.
Black Madonna
Quod Bavaris Ottinga,
Quod Belgis Itala
Quod Serra Montis Hesperis,
Quod Hungaris Regala Alba
Et erit suis
Oettingen for Bavaria, Ital for the Belgians,
Montserrat for Spain, Alba for the Magyars,
For Italy Loreto
But in France is Liesse, Is our joy and ever shall be.
Dolphin Love
Dolphin Love, Hearts of Gold, Songs of the Sea, Pure Joy
Can you hear them, can you feel them, can you see them, swimming
free
Dolphin Love, Hearts of Gold, Songs of the Sea ,Pure Joy
But you know they've gone unheard.
Precious lives have been disturbed
Can you hear them, Can you feel them, Can you see them swimming
free.
Dolphin Love, Hearts of Gold, Songs of the Sea, Pure Joy.
Sing, dance, See, Feel Free.
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