Luminate, Scotland’s creative ageing organisation, has just released a new song written by singer/songwriter Boo Hewerdine, for their network of dementia inclusive singing groups and choirs across Scotland to sing.
I Am The Song was recorded last month at Castlesound Studios in East Lothian and includes vocals by award-winning singer Hannah Rarity, Boo Hewerdine and members of Musselburgh-based dementia inclusive singing group Let’s Sing.
The music is performed by Iain Sandilands on drums/percussion and Boo Hewerdine on guitar. There is also music for piano accompaniment available for use which was provided by jazz pianist and composer Dave Milligan.
Let’s Sing led by song leader, singer and composer Penny Stone, meets weekly and supports people living with dementia in the local community by learning and singing a cappella harmony songs together.
Working with Penny and Stephen Deazley, who is Luminate’s Community Music Consultant, the choir recorded the final version of I Am The Song in just two hours.
Let’s Sing at Castlesound Studios with Boo Hewerdine, Hannah Rarity, Iain Sandilands, Penny Stone, and Stephen Deazley recording I Am The Song. Photo credit Louise Mather.
I Am The Song builds on the success of Travel These Ways – an earlier collection of songs created by Luminate during the pandemic for people living with dementia. The collection included two songs by award-winning musician Karine Polwart and still continues to be used widely by Scotland’s Dementia Inclusive Singing Network today.
The Dementia Inclusive Singing Network includes singing groups and choirs based all over Scotland, as well as other community groups and care providers who recognise the benefits of singing, and the positive difference it can make to health and wellbeing.
The final recorded versions of I Am The Song, including an accompaniment for groups to sing along with, downloadable lyrics and sheet music, is free to use and available on the Dementia Inclusive Singing Network’s website (https://singing.luminatescotland.org/) on a Creative Commons licence.
Singer/songwriter Boo Hewerdine said: “It was a profound privilege to write this song. I shall never forget our recording day. So joyful.”
Anne Gallacher, Director of Luminate said: “There’s a growing wealth of evidence of the benefits of singing, and in particular of singing in a group.
“I am delighted that Boo agreed to write a song for the Dementia Inclusive Singing Network, and I am sure that groups in the Network will love singing it. We hope to commission more songs over the coming years, and to build up a bank of pieces for our members to sing.”
Song Leader Penny Stone said: “The writing and sharing of this song has meant so much to our community of singers.
“Every time we sing it, at least one of us wells up with the emotion of it all – and not in a bad way! The song has connected with different singers in different ways and feels really special.
“And the process of recording the song with Boo, Hannah and Iain was really special. Many of our singers had never been in a recording studio before, so it felt like a new and unexpected adventure, and it sparked beautiful memories for those of our singers who have made music throughout their lives.”
I Am The Song is available for groups to download from:
https://singing.luminatescotland.org/songs-for-singing-groups-and-choirs/i-am-the-song/
About Boo Hewerdine:
For the last 30 years Boo Hewerdine has been considered as one of the UK’s finest singer/songwriters. From front man of The Bible (Graceland – Honey Be Good) to The Patience of Angels, which was a massive hit for Eddie Reader, he has written for many of today’s stars including: KD Lang, Chris Difford, Kris Drever, etc.
His last album Before was recorded with supreme Danish multi- instrumentalist Gustaf Ljunggren and garnered multiple five-star reviews.
Since then, he has released a lockdown EP, Singularities and a new album on Reveal Records.