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The Secret Forest Lament was inspired by my reading the book The Secret Forest, by Charles Bowden (with photographs by Jack Dykinga, and introduction by Paul S. Martin). The book was published in 1993 by the University of Arizona Press. The Secret Forest describes the cultural destruction, and the destruction of the landscape itself, of the rare Dry Tropical Forest that grows in the southern area of Sonora, Mexico. The forest has been decimated for economic reasons, leading to native communities losing their grasp on traditional lifestyles that had been for generations tied to the life of the forest. The song is a lament for the loss of the forest that echoes the book itself.
Charles Bowden was a courageous journalist, defender of environment and justice. He often wrote about the American Southwest. Late in life he was known for his writings on the war on drugs surrounding the US-Mexico border and its effects on the lives of the people in that region. Jack Dykinga, the photographer for the book, has shared his photographs with me for this project.
I have a long history of composing songs based on books, in fact, I have a full-length recording that features some of them...At Ken Sanders Rare Books, recorded live in concert at a book store. That CD, along with more of my work, is available through my website store.
The creation, recording, and release of The Secret Forest Lament was made possible through the financial support of Utah Humanities, The Utah Division of Arts and Museums, and those who support my projects through patreon.com.
Thanks for listening,
Kate MacLeod
CREDITS
Copyright Kate MacLeod 2020, Courier Music, ASCAP
Lyrics and music by Kate MacLeod
Arranged and Produced by Kate MacLeod
Recorded and mixed by Michael Greene at Counterpoint Studios (Salt Lake City, UT) and Funk Studios (North Salt Lake, UT) 2019-2020
Mastered by James Anderson at The Bit Farm in Torrey, UT
MUSICIANS
Kate MacLeod – vocals, acoustic guitar, 12-string acoustic guitar
Mark Hazel – harmony/supporting vocals
Bob Smith - Drums and Percussion
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- Genre
- Folk & Singer-Songwriter