Freedom from Momento by Dave Milligan
This is actually an adaptation of the First World War retreat march ‘The Bloody Fields of Flanders’, composed by piper John McLellan (1875-1949). I’ve always known this tune as the melody for the 1960 poem and song ‘The Freedom Come All Ye’ by Hamish Henderson, set to the melody of McLellan’s pipe march, which Henderson first heard being played in 1944 on the beachhead at Anzio, Italy.
It’s another hugely popular song in Scotland, and is often used in political protest. I was struck by watching South African soprano Pumeza Matshikiza performing the song at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Hearing it connect to another culture - in particular one with its own history of deep struggle - is perhaps where some of the flavour of this interpretation has come from. For me, the song resonates - today, as much as it ever did - with a world that craves hope and desperately needs peace. Clearly there are no words used here but, having come to the melody through the song, I was inspired to title this track with reference to Henderson’s powerful text.
Tracklist
| 5. | Freedom | 6:05 |
Credits
Based on John McLellan's ‘The Bloody Fields of Flanders’, arranged Dave Milligan
MUSICIANS:
Dave Milligan (piano)
Danilo Gallo (double bass)
U.T. Gandhi (drums)
Recorded at Artesuono Recording Studios, Italy.
Engineered, mixed and mastered by Stefano Amerio.
Produced by Dave Milligan
License
All rights reserved.
Dave Milligan is a musician of remarkable versatility. As well as his own bands and projects he has worked with a wide array of musicians including Art Farmer, Larry Carlton, Trilok Gurtu, Mark Knopfler and the McCrary Sisters to name just a few. Known to many on the Scottish Jazz scene for his work with award-winning trumpeter Colin Steele, here you can find a selection of Milligan's own albums.