ABOUT THE PROJECT
Blake's Songs are a conduit to a space beyond words and music – the inner landscape of our own soul...
The Angel is the sequel to my first album, “William Blake's Songs of Innocence and of Experience” (2011), which was made thanks to all of you who supported my Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign back then. You deserve much of the credit for the overwhelming response from listeners and reviewers, and the invitations to perform live, which took us to many parts of Europe, China, Turkey and the USA. I literally could not have got there without your generous support. And it's high time we got together to make another one, because I believe that Blake's Songs are a conduit to a space beyond words and music – keys to the inner landscape of our own soul. So we need your help once again to reach even more people with an excellent-quality album, recorded in Italy and mastered in London!
What's new
In this new collection we have been inspired by William Blake's visionary songs such as The Dream, The Angel (title track) and the ballad of Lyca (The Little Girl Lost), who falls asleep while lost in the forest, but wakes up in Heaven. The musical styles and arrangements are fresh and varied thanks to the involvement of my talented sons Leo and Maxim, and an intimate circle of musician friends. Our first album was recorded in a bit of a rush (you can sometimes hear it!) so we want to do things properly this time; 15 days to record and mix in Italy at ELFO RECORDING STUDIO and 1 day mastering the album at the historic ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS in London – where you could come along and join us on the day!
The insights are conveyed, as true wisdom always is, not from a height, but from the heart
It has taken my own experience of life to apreciate the timeless truths and emotional inteligence infused in Blake's Songs. The insights are conveyed, as true wisdom always is, not from a height, but from the heart. Every single song has its own colour, tone, rhythm and theme. They tell us of real human dramas from the point of view of the protagonists, that are still being played out by today, be they a chimney sweeper, a little black boy, soldier or youthful harlot. It was in in the early 80s that I started discovering tunes for them on a guitar and that's when they began to reveal their meaning. Just as Shakespere's plays were written to be physically performed, I am convinced William Blake's Songs were designed be sung or at least read out loud to be fully savoured.
Who is involved
Music, Voice, Guitar Victor Vertunni,Voice, Harmonies Deborah Eckman, Acoustic, Classical, Electric Guitar, Leo Vertunni Bass guitar, Double Bass, Maxim Vertunni Cajon, Drums, Percussion Amedeo Luviè, Cello Emma Turley,
Sound Engineer Alberto Calegari, Design Massimo Luvie', Cover artwork Maxim Vertunni
Why support us
William BLAKE WAS CROWDFUNDED! His hand-made books were made possible by a loyal group of subscribers, giving him enough money in advance to enable him to buy the copper plates and paper and survive during the painstaking work of illuminated book making. Similarly, making an album takes focused attention to do well. The production process will absorb us for a month and there are considerable costs involved. Put simply, we will only be able only make it with your support.You will receive your rewards BEFORE ANYONE ELSE*
What we need and what you get
Your contribution will make it possible for us: