Inspiration from the Psalms

 

Paul Simon, who has consistently crafted some of the most influential and enduring work in the history of music, has announced the release of his highly anticipated musical work, Seven Psalms. Intended to be listened to as one continuous piece, the 33-minute, seven-movement composition transcends the concept of the “album” and will be released in its entirety on vinyl, CD and across digital platforms on May 19.

Recorded entirely on acoustic instruments, and predominantly performed by Paul, Seven Psalms showcases Simon’s craft at its finest and most captivating, simply with his voice and guitar. A stunning, intricately layered work, it’s a record which establishes an engaging and meditative, almost hymnal soundscape, with Paul’s lyrics providing the gravitational center for constellations of sound woven from guitar strings and other acoustic instrumentation – including choral elements from the highly-regarded British vocal ensemble VOCES8, and a beautiful vocal appearance by Edie Brickell.

A limited edition Seven Psalms record featuring seven spoken word pieces by Nick Cave set to music in collaboration with Warren Ellis was released last year. Kitty Empire writes that 'these short tracks ... hark back to the quietened Cave of 2001’s album of solemn love songs, No More Shall We Part. Because these psalms are lovesick prayers – a kinder God than often appears in Cave’s back catalogue. “When will I awaken to your love?” he wonders, pained, yearning for mercy, grace and heavenly succour."'

Roxy Music’s ‘Psalm’ from the album ‘Stranded’ is a song that feels sermon-like in structure and in sound and which is written as a form of testimony with a movement in understanding that goes from trying God out to standing by his gate and on to knowing you’ll be heard by him. It’s a song in which we are taken on a journey, a journey towards God. 

Roxy Music saxophonist Andy Mackay says of his 3 Psalms: "I have long been fascinated by this collection of ancient poetry and song which has permeated our cultural life. I have tried to reflect this by using the original Hebrew and Latin - the language in which they were written - as well as 17th Century English of the Book of Common Prayer. People of faith will find themselves in familiar territory of prise and mystery and worship while atheists and agnostics can join the extraordinary debate in which the Psalmists sometimes turn from a feeling that God is totally absent or unknowable to arguing with Him because He isn’t doing what they want!"

In The Shadow Of Your Wings is a musical exploration of the Psalms from Deus Ex Musica. This ecumenical project celebrates the unique power of the arts to bring together Christians in fellowship and mutual conversation around our shared love for Scripture. For this project, 3 groups of three composers were assigned a psalm to set to music for female voice and piano: Listening to each trio of compositions provides a unique and fascinating way to explore the ways each psalm can be interpreted differently. Originally presented in Boston in 2022, IN THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS was the version of Deus Ex Musica’s series of events that use new music to explore the psalms. These include I WILL LIFT MY EYES UNTO THE MOUNTAINS and THE BEAUTIFUL WORLD OF HOLINESS, each of which feature new compositions for voice and piano, as well as SEARCH ME, O GOD: a new album (and live event) featuring new works for solo violin written by Jewish and Christian composers.

For the One Beautiful World Arts Festival we have a related Deus Ex Musica performance at St Mary's Runwell, 3.00 pm, Sunday 14 May. Awake My Soul is a unique event combining performances of new sacred music with discussion. Performed by acclaimed violinist Emma-Marie Kabanova, this interactive event features new psalm-inspired works written by an international collection of Jewish and Christian composers.  

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Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - I Come Alone And To You.