UPF - Planetary Overload - Loss - CD

Today a much awaited CD arrived in my mail: UPF (United Progressive Fraternity)’s Planetary Overload - Loss.

UPF is the brainchild of Mark Trueack (Unitopia). It is not a band per se but a number of musicians, artists and climate movers who have come together to create a powerful message in hopes of waking the sleeping giants out of complacency. In other words: “To promote environmental and social awareness, directly relating to the state of Planet Earth and the human condition.”

The stunning artwork by Ed Unitsky clearly reflects Mark Trueack’s desire for the collection. UPF has created world class music to go along with its mission: “To produce great music, as a collective concept, whilst conveying a message of peace, hope and global awareness”

For this huge project, Mark has teamed up with talented multi-instrumentalist Steve Unruh.

It’s a real honour to be part of this group of extraordinary musician-artists from across the world in the delivery of this very timely message about our planet’s distress.

Check out UPF’s website for more info on the project and the incredible talent involved.

My lyrics for Forgive Me My Son is a song about war and its long term effects. But war is a word that can include many things—not just guns and bombs but also droughts, fires and viruses. Little did I know when I wrote these words of the upcoming battles we would face during the last months of 2019 and now into 2020.

“As poet Arthur O’Shaughnessy wrote: We are the music-makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams. As artists we aspire to be “movers and shakers” and that means raising a voice in song that reminds us that we are Guardians of the Earth, to protect and preserve life for present and future generations. One thing that threatens our world is war. And one major negative effect of it is death: death of dreams, people and wildlife. In war there are many casualties including the environment. We must unify and do all we can to ward off wide spread devastation for “Death’s sting is cold.” It is my pleasure to contribute lyrics to this worthy cause that Mark (Truey) has initiated.” Cindy L Spear (from UPF site)

Great reviews of the album are coming in and here is one from Prog Archives. See link for full copy but below is a little clip about the song “Forgive Me My Song” (containing my lyrics) sung by world class powerhouse Mark (Truey) Trueack.:

We continue with "Forgive Me My Son", another of my favorites, which starts with the voice of Truey mentioning the title, an explosion and shrapnel sounds. It turns out to be of great depth, stark and concise in its lyrics, with a violin that is expressed with laments and with the intervention of zitar, oud and other stringed instruments of Indian or Arab origin, which repeat chords as marking times; Reflections on the foolishness of war and at the same time speaks of a flag, a dream, a goal, an opportunity to make free hearts ... ambiguities of our times.”

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Extract from a review by Sonic Perspectives:

“Six year old Brodie Byrne asks “Father, what are we doing to ourselves?” The response is the most evocative track on the album, “Forgive Me, My Son”. Featuring the masterful Charlie Cawood on saz, oud, bouzouki, hammered dulcimer and a host of unpronounceable instruments from around the world, this spacious piece takes its time in playing with dynamics and the payoff is huge. Kudos to Trueack for having the wisdom to let Cawood reveal his magic, at times supported by the band including Alex Grata on vocals, synths & looping, and Phill Sokha on drums.”

Cindy L Spear