As some of you know, last year I wrote a fundraising single for Norwich community station Future Radio, This Fine City - a celebration of Norwich and also a message of hope with us all coming together to get through this challenging and unprecedented time. It felt very rewarding that it was received so well, gaining radio airplay and local media coverage - including being featured here in an article I wrote for All Things Norfolk - whilst, more importantly, raising funds to help Future find a new city centre studio.
It’s continued to be a challenging start to the year for us all; for myself, with the lack of gigs and festivals on the horizon, it can be hard to find inspiration. I wanted to start the year on a positive note; be creative, while also doing something good, and felt that I wanted to do something for another local charity. One in the Crowd is a new acoustic song in aid of Safe Rescue for Dogs, whose events I have previously attended. As a huge animal lover and dog walker - mostly to springer spaniel Wesley who was also my co-star in the video for From Afar, a single I wrote and recorded during the first lockdown - I know the joy and unconditional love that they bring into our lives.
The music I have written for One in the Crowd is to a poem by Kelly Hare who is from Safe Rescue for Dogs. I wrote a melody for the song and recorded and mixed my vocals and acoustic guitar at home. I felt so touched by Kelly’s heartfelt words - knowing that she has experienced first-hand what it is like to visit the dogs in the shelters - and was moved to help them raise funds and awareness for all the hard work this very small team do to save dogs in dreadful conditions:
I know you're in there
But my hands are tied
I know you're frightened
I see you hide
I know you're hungry
Too scared to eat
I know you're dirty
And afraid to sleep
Her words convey sadness and how terrified the dogs must feel in the shelters but there’s also hope; the possibility of starting a new life and putting their tough past behind them:
I know you're in there
You're just one in the crowd
I've seen you, I've noticed
Said your name out loud
One day I will come for you
Your turn will come
If you can just stay alive, don't give up
We're not done
Founded in January 2013, Safe Rescue for Dogs rescue, rehabilitate and re-home dogs from the UK and abroad. They highlight and educate about the plight of street dogs in Romania, fundraise for neutering campaigns and work with the rescuers when they can to make the shelters that the dogs live in as comfortable as possible in the conditions they live in.
The volunteers visit the shelters and get to know the dogs; in a shelter of 700 dogs they sadly can’t save them all and must choose who gets to live a new life and who must remain behind, hopefully for a later time. Hunger, disease, injury and death due to fights amongst the unsupervised dogs will end their stay at the shelter, often after months or years of existence in squalid conditions.
The team endeavour to do their best to match dogs with adopters to create harmonious and settled home lives for all involved. Run by volunteers they also hope to pursue active campaigning on welfare issues and are always looking for fosterers, fundraisers, home checkers, transporters and great items to auction.
As a small charity they rely solely on the kindness and generosity of people to enable them to carry on rescuing and caring for the dogs. If you would like to find out more, visit their website. saferescuefordogs.co.uk/
Here and also on YouTube you can watch an emotional and powerful video that Safe Rescue for Dogs have put together telling their moving story and giving an insight into the amazing work they do. It also features my recording of One in the Crowd: youtu.be/F3LYUV3RfUY
I’ve also done a little live acoustic performance from home here: https://youtu.be/-lMeRAwNNPQ
One in the Crowd audio version available to listen to on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/lisaredford/lisa-redford-one-in-the-crowd
Talented Norfolk Singer and Songwriter Lisa Redford will be teaching Guitar and Ukulele at Wensum Lodge, King Street in Norwich this Spring. These are exciting new music courses being launched in association with Norfolk County Council Adult Learning with taster sessions and 10 week beginners courses.
Passionate about teaching music, Lisa Redford is a local musician and professional music tutor who has been described by legendary BBC broadcaster Bob Harris as "one of our finest singer songwriters". Lisa has earned worldwide acclaim for her heartfelt acoustic music and her original songs have featured on BBC Radio 2 and other radio stations worldwide. Having taught locally for over 10 years as well as in Manchester and New York City, Lisa loves sharing her skills and experience as a touring musician and has performed, written and recorded many songs.
Did you know that singing is scientifically proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and release endorphins? Group singing also builds a sense of community and boosts your confidence and wellbeing.
Music and singing has always been there for me; during these past few tough months it has particularly provided a real release and escape from the difficult time we have all faced.
During these past two years, many of us have struggled with feelings of isolation and loneliness, and as a performing songwriter and music tutor who thrives on the energy of an audience and enjoys the interaction with my students, I have found it really challenging. Despite continuing to find alternative ways to perform my music online and teach my music lessons since March 2020 via Zoom, it was very strange not seeing others for a very long time.
In her latest feature for All Things Norfolk, Lisa focuses on the exciting launch of her fundraising single in aid of Future Radio "This Fine City" about Norwich and how we're all coming together znd overcoming this tough time.
"I began volunteering at Future Radio in 2018, regularly hosting the Afternoon Session and also briefly covering NR Sounds which showcases bands and artists from Norwich and the surrounding areas of Norfolk and North Suffolk. It has been so rewarding and enjoyable to be part of the station - certainly been a real buzz broadcasting live to listeners and sharing my passion for music"
All Things Norfolk business member, singer-songwriter and music tutor Lisa Redford has written and recorded a brand new song at home during the lockdown "From Afar"
Lisa got her inspiration for writing this song when walking in her local area in Norwich and seeing a poster in a window which said "know you are loved from afar" . The song is all about missing loved ones but knowing that we can still love and care from them "From Afar" until we meet again. Once the song was written Lisa then recorded an acoustic version of it from her home studio.
We highly recommend that you take a listen to "From Afar" by visiting https://lisaredford.bandcamp.com/track/from-afar and support this talented local artist by purchasing the song digitally for £1 . You can also view the video by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfnukKmLcqc
It has been a very busy and creative start to the year and I'm really looking forward to playing some lovely local gigs this month and throughout spring. These include some brand new live music nights that are happening in Norwich showcasing the wealth of talented local artists from Norfolk.
Common People at OPEN Norwich ~ Friday February 21st
My next gig is a really special one. As well as performing my own material, I love to perform many of my favourite songs from different genres. I'm looking forward to be playing an acoustic set at OPEN Norwich next weekend as part of a special 90's music charity night of Britpop, indie and dance from the team behind Common People. Expect some surprise 90's favourites in my set!