On Monday 18th May, singer-songwriter Fiona Kennedy releases a new single ‘The Maple Tree (I’ll Remember You)’ as part of a 4 track EP produced by award winning musician Calum MacColl.
Fiona says:
The theme of the EP is ‘remembering’ – remembering family and friends whom we have loved and lost, remembering the relevance of Robert Burns’s apt words and how beautifully he portrayed the preciousness of life and the importance of relationships, and also remembering how tough life was for so many in the 1800s and 1900s when numerous men had no work and had to leave to sail on unknown waters. Given the challenging times we are living through today, there are many parallels.
Track 1: The new single The Maple Tree (I’ll Remember You) is a celebratory and thoughtful farewell written by Kennedy in memory of a dear family friend.
The track is a joyful celebration of ‘Uncle’ Brian, a wonderful and mischievous friend who was very dear to my family and was in many respects everyone’s uncle. He loved to have a glass, or two, or three (!) sitting in the shade under an old maple tree. I’ll always have that vivid and happy memory of him smiling and laughing there.
Fiona Kennedy is joined by Calum MacColl on guitars, alongside Aberdeen based musician, Nils Elders – both long time collaborators and friends of the artist.
Track 2: In Ae Waukin’ o, by Robert Burns, Kennedy reimagines a beautiful Burns tale of sleepless nights and a lover much longed after with suitably captivating vocal melodies and soothing guitar interludes.
Track 3: Farewell to Tarwathie written originally in 1850 by George Scroggie from the village of Strichen, Aberdeenshire and made famous in 1960’s when it was recorded by Ewan MacColl and Judy Collins. On her own recording of the track, Kennedy said:
I wanted to record this haunting song, not only because it’s from the north east of Scotland where I live and now feel part of the fabric of the land here, but also it takes us back to a time which reflects on the hardship faced by many men who had to leave home to work on whaling ships to earn a living.
It’s a beautiful story of hope, telling of the whaler’s love remaining strong while on his journey – and he returns home safely – so, a happy ending!
Track 4: The final track on the EP is a fresh twist on one of Burns’ best-known and most touching compositions, John Anderson. The song is a personal favourite of Kennedy’s: For me, it’s a perfect song, which perfectly encapsulates life.
Gorgeous crystalline dappled sunlight in a song! Fiona never ceases to bring joy and calm from the center of her voice.
Listen three times a day to bring down the stress level and recalibrate your soul!
Beth Nielsen Chapman