Friday Afternoon by William Parker / Raining On The Moon

Unbundling the component albums of the monumental Wood Flute Songs Anthology: williamparker.bandcamp.com/album/wood-flute-songs-anthology-live-2006-2012 , Album Five was the then brand new –and still most recent work on record– by Parker's exceptional "songs with his lyrics sung by Leena Conquest" ensemble, Raining On The Moon:

William Parker Quartet expanded with pianist Eri Yamamoto -&- Leena Conquest gorgeously breathing life into WP's lyrics = Raining On The Moon. William had a new book of compositions prepared for this group in 2011. These new songs was presented for the first time, live on stage, at the Suoni per il Popolo Festival in 2012.

This is that complete concert recording. A mighty special for "one of our many homes" Montreal audience.

From the liner notes by William Parker:

"The group Raining on the Moon first appeared in 2001, the group was made up of my regular quartet of Rob Brown, Lewis Barnes and Hamid Drake, with the addition of vocalist Leena Conquest. I first worked with Leena while playing bass in a Latin Ensemble that was doing music dedicated to Israel “Cachao” López the great Cuban bassist. Leena sang a very lovely ballad and showed a huge emotional and stylistic range that was direct. She was not afraid of the word revolution and she was not afraid of the word prayer. I needed someone to contrast the music and clearly state the words and the message. All my life I have been drawn to words, first through poetry and later I discovered that poetry was very close to lyrics. If you sing a poem it is a song. I have also long been intrigued by words and music as a form of protest. I was never just interested in Arts for the sake of Art. Art is the blood of the people whether they are aware of it or not. Both the artist and art have been co-opted by corporate business and the entertainment industry. The pasteurization of musicians through music education has turned out crops of musicians who have been homogenized. It is still the role of the musician to incite revolution, spiritual and human change. Political change has now become a dead myth we must leave this world from the inside. Those without vision cannot enter the internal world where it does rain on the moon. The term successful artist is an oxymoron once you become popular you might be doing something wrong, if your art is doing what it is supposed to do you should be on the most-wanted list. Worldly success is not a barometer for closeness to the profound. Raining On The Moon is the voice of protest wrapped in rhythm, ballads, hymns and melody. Our pianist Eri Yamamoto joined the band in 2006, she has anchored our sonic excursions as we travel over many different musical landscapes and textures. Whenever there is truth there is something beautiful waiting in the wings. Often times we find ourselves. We have been very fortunate to tour the world and develop the idea of words, sound and music. The music on this CD contains six previously unreleased compositions. My Name Is Peace, For Abbey Lincoln, 3+3 = Jackie McLean, Late Man Of This Planet, Sweet Breeze and Boom Boom Bang Bang encompass the set. What else can be said except close your eyes open your spirit and listen feel become? The music needs your ears."

is a master musician–improvisor–composer–bandleader–griot–shaman–poet–community leader.

Featured here are the premier works produced for both AUM Fidelity & his own Centering Records imprint, along with select additional works otherwise not readily available.

portrait by
Jimmy Katz

aumfidelity.com
williamparker.net
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