RELEASED: February 22nd 2021
TRACKS: 14
TOTAL LENGTH: 00:58:03
FORMAT: 320 kbps MP3
CATEGORIES: Inspired Music
GENRE: Inspired, Devotional, Singer / Songwriter

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This is a Covid album. In the two month Lockdown, staying in the foothills of the Southern Alps, I found myself playing the guitar and wrote a number of these songs. Once normal life returned I organised to record them quickly in case the world stopped again. 'For Mercy', the first track of the album, comprises four Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh. 'The Promised One', 'If Ye Meet The Abased', 'Humble Thyself', and 'Incline Your Hearts' - are also the Words of Baha'u'llah. I discovered the story of Eduardo Duarte Vieira, the first Baha'i martyr of Africa, and used his own notes smuggled out of jail in the first two verses. Likewise, in 'A White Bird' I was moved by the story of Abdu'l-Karim, an amanuensis of the Báb. Zaynab's heroism has always fascinated me - the recording is live. Years ago I wrote a song to pay homage to the young women martyred in Shiraz in 1983. It was called 'The Fiancee's Song'; but I always felt it needed another section - so I have added that, and this is the new version. I would like to thank the many friends who have reached out to me and asked for another album - this is for you.

The album was recorded with Mike McCarthy, a gifted engineer and keyboard player (who appears on many tracks). I would also like to thank Horatio Valdivieso for his excellent lead guitar work on 'Eduardo', and Tom and Jess for their cello and violin accompaniment on 'Zaynab' and 'Incline Your Hearts'. The angelic voice of Lo, from Slimandred, lent her magic to many harmony tracks and it was a delight working with her. The title of the album, 'The Sign of Love', comes from the Hidden Word sung on the first track.