Two of highly-regarded creative talents have joined forces to collaborate on a unique album of songs, Whose Broken Is This?
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Poet John Passant, who is currently receiving treatment for cancer, has collaborated with acclaimed singer-songwriter Milena Cifali to set his poetry to music, with the album incorporating a number of readings by him.
The poems are from his published volumes, Whose Broken Is This and Other Poems, as well as Songs for the Band Unformed.
Canberra-based Mr Passant is a poet as well as a journalist, member of the Canberra press gallery for Independent Australia, retired senior tax officer, tax academic and blogger.
The hauntingly beautiful songs are performed on the album by duo The Awesome, which features Cifali on guitar and vocals and Jim Horvath on bass and percussion, as well as special guest musicians.
Hailing from Far East Gippsland in Victoria, The Awesome are self-described "musical gypsies" who travel and perform constantly around the country, including at the 2018 National Folk Festival.
Classically-trained Cifali is a guitarist of rare talent, enchanting audiences with her uniquely intricate style that fuses elements of John Butler, Rodriguez and Michael Hedges.
She has released several CDs of original music highlighting her love of folk/jazz fusion and her impressive interpretive range.
Horvath, playing distinctive upright bass, is also a talented percussionist with a flair for African, Latin, jazz and blues rhythms, having learnt his craft from the legendary Stui Spears of Max Merritt and the Meteors, and through performing with blues band Chain.
Other artists featured on the recording are award-winning blues artist Dorothy DJ Gosper and Canberra mandolinist Tony Hunter and cellist Jessica Coote.
"John's poetry is a vital body of work for Australian poetry; at once thought-provoking, sensitive, brutal, honest and always hopeful," Cifali said.
"The poems shake and stir the dust in your soul, remaining there long after the dust has settled."
The album and book launch will take place on Friday, May 24 from 6.30pm at the Inlet Restaurant, 12B Riverside Drive, Narooma.
Bookings can be made on 4476 3496, tickets are $20/$15.
It will also take place on Sunday, May 26 at 5 Elizabeth Court, Mallacoota from 4pm.
Bookings can be made at the Mallacoota Community Op Shop or by calling 0421 208 963. Tickets are $20/$15.