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Please remember to acknowledge Maria as the songwriter if you perform any of her songs!

Our sincere thanks go to Tim Kent for allowing us to reproduce this recording of Maria.

We wanted anyone who never had the chance to hear Maria previously to appreciate her songs sung in her own unique style.

Life Force; Was recorded in Eastbourne

in April 1999 by Tim Kent and post-mastered

at Loophole Studios, Brighton.

Tim Kent – Copyright, All Rights Reserved MCPS May 1999

 

The front cover photo: Maria Cunningham

All other photos: Tim Kent

 

Special thanks to Tim Kent for all his help in the recording, producing and design of this CD. Also, for his contribution and backing on tracks 2, 5, 9 & 13.

 

All songs were composed by Maria Cunningham except tracks 5 & 10 (Traditional /Arranged)

BE AWARE: IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO LOAD AND START THE PLAYERS.

01 – Winter Solstice; The darkest time of the year, with the hope of spring to come.

Winter Solstice - Maria Cunningham
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02 – Green Man; (Tim : background vocal)

The spirit of nature: often found in the form of foliate heads in churches. The song is preceded by a poem inspired by these.

*** (See end of notes. Not included with the song words.)

Green Man - Maria Cunningham
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03 – The Road; Inspired by a comment in Hilaire Belloc's book 'The Old Road'. “….. of these primal things the least obvious but the most important is The Road”.

The Road - Maria Cunningham
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04 – Wonkey Wheel-O; Bringing an old song up to date – based on Twanky Dillo.

Wonkey Wheel-O - Maria Cunningham
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05 – Reynardine; (Tim : keyboard)

My version of this old ballad based mainly on English versions with a few verses from across the Atlantic.

Reynadine - Maria Cunningham
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06 – Playing With Fire;

A piece of allegory exploring the temptation of lust!

Playing Wiith Fire - Maria Cunningham
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07 – The Healer; The chorus is based on the Doctors lines from the archetypal Mummer's plays.

The Healer - Maria Cunningham
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08 – The Mary Stanford Disaster; Based on the tragic events which took place off the South coast in November 1928. For the full story see Geoff Hutchinson's excellent book.

Mary Stanford - Maria Cunningham
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09 – Waters of Life; (Tim : guitar)

Having worked in the water supply industry for many years I'm very conscious of the 'water cycle'!

Waters of Life - Maria Cunningham
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10 – A Sailors Life; My version of this traditional song with a Transatlantic flavour.

A Sailors Life - Maria Cunningham
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11 – The Yew Tree; Ancient buildings have been witness to all our real social history through the centuries. What tales they could tell.

The Yew Tree - Maria Cunningham
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12 – Let Me Sleep; I'm sure all parents will have sympathy with the sentiments of this song!

Let Me Sleep - Maria Cunningham
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13 – Spirit of the Wind; (Tim : keyboard)  A fantasy I wove around a character I invented; atmospherically enhanced by Tim's backing.

Spirit of the Wind - Maria Cunningham
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14 – Sloe Gin; With many thanks to Hartley Morris for introducing me to the therapeutic properties of this wonderful beverage!

Sloe Gin - Maria Cunningham
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April Evening - Maria Cunningham
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15 – April Evening: The sun going down over the River Cuckmere on a spring evening.

***  Poem, spoken by Maria before singing track 02 – Green Man

 

Out of the shadow stares a face, Piercing eyes cut through to your soul,

Lips curled in sardonic smile,

A mask, wreathed in leaves, Carved by the hand of man, Styled by the work of nature,

Unyielding, unforgiving, He cares not for your wants and needs, your desires,

He is life, He is death resurrected, He is your …. destiny ….

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