SONG OF DEVASTATION No. 24

A letter arrived at my husband’s Red Hand Files from Kimberly in Australia—

Hi Nick and Susie,

Here is a “Song of Devastation” suggestion: Amara me by Anna Melato. I’ve attached a link to the song being played in the film Love and Anarchy. The scene is set in a brothel and it’s filled with tension, longing and inevitable heartbreak.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=N4U5BswDN-U

Dear Kimberly,

This piece of footage is so beautiful. I have watched it many times. I will seek out the film ‘Love and Anarchy’ which I haven’t seen. What a sorrowful wrench of a song set against the strange dynamic of the characters. Thank you so much for sending it. Just wonderful. Love Susie x

THE CARNIVAL IS OVER

I have just a simple song for you all from 1967, all the way from Australia (where my husband is), by The Seekers. I love this song, melancholy but so stirring, and Judith Durham, dressed in what looks like something from the archives of The Vampire’s Wife, is so touching. It is a song full of tears about the end of things and love’s enduring presence. We adore this song here at The Vampire’s Wife.

TIME AFTER TIME, LITTLE JIMMY SCOTT

Look at this heart-breaking piece of film of Little Jimmy Scott singing Time After Time and giving his thoughts on what a song is meant to be. He is a vast talent and a beautiful man; we met him at my husband’s Meltdown Festival in London in 1999.

TO DIE BY YOUR SIDE

I heard this wonderful version of The Smiths classic song "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" by the brilliantly ebullient Dum Dum Girls on the DJ Lonny’s amazing Cover to Cover on Radio Lewes this week. What a great show! What a superb song! What a joyful cover! ‘To die by your side is pleasure and a privilege’ indeed!