Iain Whitmore - Among The Living
| Label | Cat No. | Release Date | Format |
| Aurora | AUR23 | 29 March 2024 | CD |
We're thrilled to announce the release of our own Iain Whitmore's solo album, with a beautiful painting 'Jackdaw' by the legendary John Hurford as its cover. 'Among The Living' is a deeply personal collection of songs celebrating and honouring all his family members, together with friends, and how they have shaped his own life, and helped him to overcome his own demons.
Iain specifically asked Tony Poole to add his trademark Rickenbacker 12 string to many of the songs, and ‘Angel In My Head’ is the first gloriously jangly single from the album.
While there are songs joyously celebrating the love in his life and the wondrous journeys of his children into the world, there are also songs of loss, both physical and through the equally tragic fade into dementia experienced by his parents.
Perhaps most poignant of all is
‘Old Man At The Grave Of His Wife’
Iain explains: Both of my parents lived long lives but, like many people, they were plagued with dementia and Alzheimer’s towards the end. At different points I became totally unrecognisable to both of them, and at other times they were only too well aware of their own deterioration and shortcomings, and they chastised themselves for that. I’m just sorry they had to suffer so much. This song is for me, my mum and dad, and all the other families that have to deal with the emotional devastation caused by these terrible conditions. I hope it helps.
‘Old Man At The Grave Of His Wife’
Iain explains: Both of my parents lived long lives but, like many people, they were plagued with dementia and Alzheimer’s towards the end. At different points I became totally unrecognisable to both of them, and at other times they were only too well aware of their own deterioration and shortcomings, and they chastised themselves for that. I’m just sorry they had to suffer so much. This song is for me, my mum and dad, and all the other families that have to deal with the emotional devastation caused by these terrible conditions. I hope it helps.
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UK:£3.50, USA\Rest of World:£5.50
PayPal or Credit\Debit Card
Select your location from the drop-down list and
Click the Buy Now Button
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR EU SALES
Due to Brexit, please allow up to 21 DAYS
for delivery. We will refund any Duty or Taxes
Read all Iain's notes on the songs here:
Angel In My Head
I wrote this song for my pregnant wife while she was away in the US attending her mum’s funeral. It was a very hard time for her and I wanted to offer it as a gift in the hope that it would make her feel a little better. She tells me it did...
While You Were Gone
There was an occasion when my first wife had to go away on a short business trip, leaving me to stew in a home-made soup of my own self pity and macho righteousness. Luckily I was able to drag myself out of it by writing a song!
Singin’ To My Baby
My friend Peter Dowse and I wanted to write a song for parents with newborn babies and this is the result: a love song for all the little ones with my own daughter’s lovely voice running through it...
Marigold
Loosely based on a real, long-ago conversation I had with a girlfriend who, I’m happy to say, is still a very good friend of mine! Now, at my age, it seems even more relevant: a mildly cynical take on an ageing hippie trying to find ‘love’.
I Want To Be You
When my eldest son was very small I was his main carer until he was about four. It was a period of huge pain and self doubt for me and I wouldn’t have got through it without the depth of his beautiful gaze and his joyful demeanour, attributes he still possesses. I simply wanted to be him and he simply saved my life. Thank you my darling boy...
I’m Not Going Anywhere
There’s no doubt that childbirth is a true miracle. My younger son - a man now, strong in character and physique - was never any bigger than tiny while in the womb, but he was clearly not going to let anything come between him and being born. His fighting spirit was evident from the very beginning, and this is how I imagine him telling his story.
Already On Her Way This is my daughter’s own heroic journey. She’s a wild, free spirit who came at us like a comet through the universe, bringing her own history with her. Please rest assured that no animals were harmed during the making of her life.
While You Sleep
Not long before my mum died she told me why I’d been an only child. Turns out it was an accident. Something ‘went wrong’ (her words) which meant she couldn’t conceive again. It was hugely sad for her: a stigma in her eyes and an unbearable burden... but bear it she did and, naturally, I became her priority. I was incredibly fortunate to have such a courageous woman give life to me. This song is for her and all the other mums in the world.
There Are No Words
In memory of Michele Durler, a hugely talented singer, songwriter, composer, arranger and beautiful friend who left us far too early... and for all absent friends whose presence on earth made our lives richer.
Old Man At The Grave Of His Wife
Both of my parents lived long lives but, like many people, they were plagued with dementia and Alzheimer’s towards the end. At different points I became totally unrecognisable to both of them, and at other times they were only too well aware of their own deterioration and shortcomings, and they chastised themselves for that. I’m just sorry they had to suffer so much. This song is for me, my mum and dad, and all the other families that have to deal with the emotional devastation caused by these terrible conditions. I hope it helps.
Cracks In The Road
Originally intended as a cautionary tale for my three children, this has, I hope, become a vehicle for a bit of lighthearted fun. The message is still there, of course, but we don’t need to take it too seriously, do we? I’m smiling...
Angel In My Head
I wrote this song for my pregnant wife while she was away in the US attending her mum’s funeral. It was a very hard time for her and I wanted to offer it as a gift in the hope that it would make her feel a little better. She tells me it did...
While You Were Gone
There was an occasion when my first wife had to go away on a short business trip, leaving me to stew in a home-made soup of my own self pity and macho righteousness. Luckily I was able to drag myself out of it by writing a song!
Singin’ To My Baby
My friend Peter Dowse and I wanted to write a song for parents with newborn babies and this is the result: a love song for all the little ones with my own daughter’s lovely voice running through it...
Marigold
Loosely based on a real, long-ago conversation I had with a girlfriend who, I’m happy to say, is still a very good friend of mine! Now, at my age, it seems even more relevant: a mildly cynical take on an ageing hippie trying to find ‘love’.
I Want To Be You
When my eldest son was very small I was his main carer until he was about four. It was a period of huge pain and self doubt for me and I wouldn’t have got through it without the depth of his beautiful gaze and his joyful demeanour, attributes he still possesses. I simply wanted to be him and he simply saved my life. Thank you my darling boy...
I’m Not Going Anywhere
There’s no doubt that childbirth is a true miracle. My younger son - a man now, strong in character and physique - was never any bigger than tiny while in the womb, but he was clearly not going to let anything come between him and being born. His fighting spirit was evident from the very beginning, and this is how I imagine him telling his story.
Already On Her Way This is my daughter’s own heroic journey. She’s a wild, free spirit who came at us like a comet through the universe, bringing her own history with her. Please rest assured that no animals were harmed during the making of her life.
While You Sleep
Not long before my mum died she told me why I’d been an only child. Turns out it was an accident. Something ‘went wrong’ (her words) which meant she couldn’t conceive again. It was hugely sad for her: a stigma in her eyes and an unbearable burden... but bear it she did and, naturally, I became her priority. I was incredibly fortunate to have such a courageous woman give life to me. This song is for her and all the other mums in the world.
There Are No Words
In memory of Michele Durler, a hugely talented singer, songwriter, composer, arranger and beautiful friend who left us far too early... and for all absent friends whose presence on earth made our lives richer.
Old Man At The Grave Of His Wife
Both of my parents lived long lives but, like many people, they were plagued with dementia and Alzheimer’s towards the end. At different points I became totally unrecognisable to both of them, and at other times they were only too well aware of their own deterioration and shortcomings, and they chastised themselves for that. I’m just sorry they had to suffer so much. This song is for me, my mum and dad, and all the other families that have to deal with the emotional devastation caused by these terrible conditions. I hope it helps.
Cracks In The Road
Originally intended as a cautionary tale for my three children, this has, I hope, become a vehicle for a bit of lighthearted fun. The message is still there, of course, but we don’t need to take it too seriously, do we? I’m smiling...