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Dwell

by Joy Ellis

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    Beautiful artwork designed by Lena Feindt on a digisleeve with lyrics included in a separate insert.

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1.
Daffodils 06:09
Daffodils Like a lifted curse the Winter vanished Onto the scene burst Spring; all grey and gloom were banished. A rainbow spilt its colours in a puddle in the lane And the daffodils danced bright and merry in the park again. The radio announced the centenary of jazz today How fitting for you on your own birthday Your mother gently sang this music to you As we all waited for the day you were born Blossom buds awoke with a kiss of sunlight Bright shimmering rays cast out the long dark night The birds were singing triumphantly sweet and clear And the daffodils shone like sunny stars proclaiming you were here. The radio announced the centenary of jazz today How fitting for you on your own birthday Your mother gently sang this music to you As we all waited for the day you were born
2.
Pollyanna 05:33
Pollyanna You once called me Pollyanna You scoffed when I said I’d been inspired You said; “Open your eyes and see reality, It’s just a conspiracy!” You once called me Pollyanna You said; “Don’t be naïve, Only suckers believe, In time they’ll beat it out of you too.” He said, “As for me, I’m enlightened and free. I’d take the red pill – Who wants to be happy?” You once called me Pollyanna Who knows what’s truth or lie anyway? Some say that ignorance is bliss I’m not sure I buy into this But I’d really believe the best Believe they flew to the stars
3.
Family Tree 05:19
Family Tree Walking along the North Bank I am arrested by an image in my mind’s eye. A girl walks by her father’s side Kicking leaves by Cleopatra’s Needle. The footsteps of my former self Once walked here Beside a million other’s tread Stories, histories. Flash back, I wander through A gallery of hanging pictures in my head Scenes past and half-remembered Cast shadows spark and fade. I confront my aging in the faces Of my friends As our years unfold Stories, histories. The roots burrow deep On this family tree. Separated By such small degrees A corporeal connectivity. Knots and frays dot the design Tangled threads that intertwine We are still kindred You and I.
4.
Castles 05:30
Castles He painted the house a bright fuchsia pink Planted peonies by the kitchen sink He pinned butterflies around the eaves A refuge from reality. He decided not to go to work that day To his cubicle sucking his life to grey Gossip round the drinks machine, the small talk made him feel unclean The slow decay of all his dreams. No time, no time Like grains of sand Gushing through his open hands Every turn revealed a wall An acceptable excuse To do nothing at all. Drawn on the wall of his favourite café A paradise picture of faraway A golden orb fell into the blue He fantasised of passing through. He’d step out over the redbrick frame And float across the sun-drenched plain Shrouded by tranquillity, he’d wade into the silky deep, And plunge into eternal sleep. No time, no time Like grains of sand Gushing through his open hands Every turn revealed a wall An acceptable excuse To do nothing at all. What about your childhood dreams? - You know the ones that really count?  Before age and common sense have thwarted  All the castles you were going to build.
5.
Dwell 03:25
Dwell She wrote a page in her diary From the hour they began to breathe As if the words printed on the page Could turn back Time flashed by like a blinking eye Up, downs and by the bys Her journal sought to preserve their Memories tend to detensify Yet sweeten as time goes by You can’t hold on, hold on. News predicted a hurricane The children told her “Evacuate!” She crossed the stateline to stay awhile As the storm raged On and on the water rose The flood creeping up as it goes They saw the photos on satellite All was swept Away went the things and the sentiment By the loss she’d tried to prevent Why can’t you hold on hold on? There’s nothing you can do Every day you’ll lose And every day you’ll gain Cos’ nothing stays the same To dwell is bitter Yet beautiful.
6.
One Minute In Manchester Beneath the no-name statue The people stood Silent, Waiting A blanket of bouquets and bears lay Strewn at his feet Tributes from those gathered Together on the street The sonorous clanging of bells Signalled the minute everyone knew to be still, Transfixed All save the chirping of birds and camera clicks. A while later, after the pause There broke a ripple of applause That ruptured into an irrepressible roar Like the tide rushing through pebbles on the shore. From the mass arose a plaintive cry: A Mancunian song Eager to sing unified As one. I heard you say; “Don’t look back in rage.” The cameras retract their gun-metal frames They’ve captured faces without names Although the crowd disperse and disappear Their anthem forever echoes here.
7.
Boy 03:46
Boy A wild boy, a troublemaker A hunted look fixed in his eye He burns with anger red and blind A rage that chokes him deep inside. But when he plays he choses Bach A soothing order in a life That’s filled with turmoil and decay. But when he plays his soul is free To dream of things that he could be And all the life that he could see.
8.
9.
Ice On The River Ice on the river Pastel pink sky Bird song echoes From a summer gone by. Pale sun skating smoothly By the brow of the lea The wisp of wood smoke From the pub on the quay Salt and spindrift Whipping the sea. Ice on the river Frost on the field Cold tide lapping ‘Gainst the boards of the pier. Grey mist rolling slowly O’er the crest of the hill Lays dew on the tussocks Down by the mill Everything is silent Everything is still. Ice on the river Snow on the sea Dark clouds blowing Last leaves from the trees Red rust on the boat hulls, The anchors and chains. Barnacles and lichens Clothing their shame Longing for a fair wind To sail out again.
10.

about

‘Fantastically wistful ambiance and beautiful voice’
Kevin Le Gendre, BBC Radio 3

'A great second release from an exquisitely talented performer and composer'
Frank Griffiths, London Jazz News

'One of the very best jazz albums of the year'
Music Republic Magazine ★★★★★

credits

released November 29, 2019

Joy Ellis - piano/Rhodes/voice
Rob Luft - guitar
Henrik Jensen - double bass
Ferg Ireland - electric bass
Adam Osmianski - drums
Helen Burnett - sound bowls

Recorded & mixed at Eastcote Studios, London Feb-April 2019 by George Murphy

Mastered by Andrew Tulloch

Artwork by Lena Feindt

Photography by Adam Osmianski

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about

Joy Ellis London, UK

Joy Ellis is a pianist, singer and composer based in London. She has toured all over the world playing jazz. Past gig highlights include Ronnie Scott’s, the London Jazz Festival, and No Black Tie Jazz Club in Kuala Lumpur. She was recently selected as one of fourteen emerging artists to work with Mercury-nominated singer ESKA on a composition residency in Manchester. ... more

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