LIVE IN CONCERT: Memories of the Mayflower & Other Tales

Description

This album was beautifully recorded at St. Mary’s Church Rotherhithe in a sold-out concert, specially commissioned by the concert series TunedIn London to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower.  It is the culmination of a year’s work in cooperation with local historian Graham Taylor.  The church in which this concert was recorded is the final resting place of Master Christopher Jones, Captain of the Mayflower, and the ship itself was berthed a few steps away on the river Thames.  The beauty of the church and its strong historical significance made the choice of making a “Live” album an obvious one, and this recording truly captures the spirit of that special evening.

The first half of the concert is the duo’s song cycle “Memories of the Mayflower”. It tells the story of the famous “Pilgrim Fathers”, persecuted for their religion in Elizabethan England, who voyaged across the Atlantic to seek better lives.   Upon arrival, almost half of the company died from disease and harsh conditions.  Narration of the story itself is provided by the renowned American actor Nathan Osgood, who has played in numerous films, TV productions, theatre and is a regular fixture on BBC audio dramas.

The second half of the concert tells a number of “short tales” of a different nature, including a romantic encounter by an ice cream van,  humanoid robots in the workplace and an unlikely Sherlock Holmes mystery.   All told with lightness, a little humour and a lot of heart.

The release date of this album has been selected in memory of John Penry, the Brownist preacher who was hanged on the 29th May 1593 for sedition.