|
|
The Gypsy Suite an evocation of The Great Hunger.
|
|
The Gypsy Suite was conceived and begun in 1995 when I wrote the first song after starting to delve into my Irish family history, and discovered they had left Ireland when the Potato Famine was ravaging the people and countryside of Ireland. To mark the 10th Anniversary of its inception, I am re-mastering my original analogue master tapes to digital, and aim to produce a special edition CD with a booklet of photographs and the full libretto.
TRACK by TRACK:-
1 Son Of Kate - an instrumental written for my Dad who died of cancer whilst I was still in the process of writing The Gypsy Suite.
2. The Beginning - The scene is set, the story begins as a narrative spoken over an instrumental tune.
3. The Road Which Took Them South - a song about eviction of the Kilcooley family from their cottage, and their journey south to seek a new life.
4. Catherine's Theme - an instrumental link which is reprised throughout the Suite.
5. The Leaving Of Galway - an instrumental with a narrative continuing the Kilcooley's story.
6. Will You Not Be Coming Back Again? - a song about leaving and the ending of their old life. This was the first piece of the Suite that I wrote - it all stemmed from this!
7. Catherine's Theme, reprise - the narrative continues and the story moves on with a death in the family.
8. Gabriel's Wake - an instrumental leading on from the tragedy told in the previous narrative.
9. The Beginning, reprise - this instrumental takes the story to the conclusion of the First Act.
10. Michael's Song - Act Two begins with the parallel story of the Kilcooley's eldest son, Michael, in a song about his brush with the law.
11. Michael's Story - his story continues with a narrative over an instrumental piece detailing his enforced run from the law and his fleeing across the sea to England.
12. On The Run - an instrumental piece.
13. Catherine's Theme, reprise - more narrative taking the story forward, of the Kilcooley's journey and continuing plight.
14. Down The Road - a song about the family's continuing journey on the roads to a new life.
15. The Gypsy's Theme - more narrative over an instrumental piece detailing their horrific experiences at the hands of Providence.
16. Journey East - more narrative over an instrumental piece and Fate starts to smile on the Kilcooleys for the first time since their enforced eviction.
17. Travellers' Jig - a more optimistic instrumental piece.
18. The Beginning, reprise - the story is concluded with a narrative and new-found hope for the Kilcooley family.
19. Gypsy Dancer - a lively, upbeat instrumental tune, one of optimism.
20. Irish Memories - the whole Suite ends with a reflective instrumental tune.
|
Links:
The Gypsy Suite - CD Baby.
The Gypsy Suite - iTunes.
Tom Cowley Music Site.
Matt Cowley
Ultimate Counter
|
|
