Very Present Tense is the debut studio album by British actor Christopher Simpson.

Very Present Tense
Studio album by
Released8 August 2008 (2008-08-08)
Recorded2008
Genre
Length17:45
Language
ProducerTom Havelock

Composition

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In 2008, whilst Simpson was artist-in-residence with creative arts group Metal,[1] he completed the song cycle Very Present Tense. He wrote it over a number of years in response to the death of his mother. The songs which reference musical idioms, including blues, jazz, and Rwandan folk, reflecting his Rwandan and Irish family heritage.[2] The album was developed in collaboration with composer Tom Havelock.[3]

Performance

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The song cycle premiered at the arts hub in Edge Hill Station pavilion in Liverpool on 8 August 2008,[4][5] during the Liverpool European Capital of Culture.[6] He performed the work for the second time with Metal at the Village Green Festival on 29 September 2009, this time working with a group of musicians from Southend. Simpson then worked on recording the work.[7]

Track listing

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No.TitleLength
1."Niwowe Nakunda"3:58
2."Cradle Me Now"3:22
3."Oh on That Day"3:23
4."Habana"3:49
5."In Other Words"3:10
Total length:17:45

References

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  1. ^ "Christopher Simpson". The British Independent Film Awards. Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  2. ^ Smirke, Richard (7 August 2008). "Chris Simpson: Very Present Tense". Metro. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  3. ^ "Very Present Tense". Tête à Tête. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  4. ^ Anderson, Vicky (4 August 2008). "Culture Diary: Actor unveils his new train of musical thought". Liverpool Daily Post. Liverpool. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  5. ^ Parker, Samantha (6 August 2008). "Festival time for kids is a feast for imagination!". Liverpool Echo. Liverpool. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  6. ^ "Christopher Simpson". Bush Theatre. Archived from the original on 17 April 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  7. ^ "Christopher Simpson". Metal. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
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