Pasiones:
Songs of the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939
(1997, Bird Avenue)
- Jamie O'Reilly:
- Vocals
- Michael Smith:
- Vocals, Guitar
- Katrina O'Reilly:
- Vocals, Clarinet, Piano
Pasiones was written and adapted by Michael Smith and Jamie O'Reilly and debuted in the Rhino in Winter Theater Festival, 1997, at the Lunar Cabaret in Chicago, IL. It was directed by Peter Glazer.
Pasiones was inspired by the music of Eddie Balchowsky.
Cover painting: She Saw Him Fall
by Sim, 1936
Graphic design: Colm O'Reilly / Leech Soup
"Smith and O'Reilly demonstrate powerfuly that the music by the
people who fought and died (in the Spanish Civil War) resonates
throughout time and space... They're not just going through
the motions, every song receives a passionate treatment worthy of the
subject."
Sing Out! Magazine
"It is more than glorious music they offer us; it is our
history that would otherwise be forgotten. At a time when
passion is so lacking in our lives, these two artists set our
hearts on fire! Viva Jamie and Michael!"
Studs Terkel
See also: Spanish Civil War site. (This will open a new browser window.)
Songlist:
- Tu Que Brillas **
- Quinto Regimiento
- Songs of the United Front
Words: Bertolt Brecht Music: Hans Eisler - Peat Bog Soldiers
Attributed to an unnamed prisoner at the Borgemoor Concentration Camp, Germany, 1933 - Song of the American Consul / Quartermaster Song **
- Gunner Name of Bill
Words: Theodore Cogswell Music: Michael Smith - Cook House / The Young Man from Alcala
- En La Plaza de mi Pueblo *
- Viva la Quince Brigada
- Bon Cop de Falc (Anthem to Catalonia) *
- Freiheit!: Song of the Thaelmann Battalion
Words: Peter Daniel Music: Karl Ernst - Los Cuatro Generales
New Translation: Michael Smith - Si me Quieres Escribir
Words: Al Prago Music: Traditional - Asturias **
- Lament for Ignacio Sanchez Mejias
Words: F. G. Lorca Music: Michael Smith - Rozhinkes mit Mandlen
- Song of the International Brigade
Words: Erich Weinart Music: Espinosa-Palacio - Beloved Comrade
Words: Lewis Allen Music: Fred Katz - Los Marineros *
- Jarama Valley
Words: Lincoln Battalion Tune: Traditional
Musical sources:
* From Espana-1936-1938: 25 Hymnos y Canciones de la
Guerra Civil Espanola.
** From Songs from a Franco Prison, Max Parker, 1982.
All other songs traditional except as indicated.
Executive Producers: Jamie O'Reilly & Michael Smith
Produced by Stuart Rosenburg
Musical Arrangements by Michael Smith, © 1997 Bird Avenue
This recording made possible by support from WFMT, Chicago Fine Arts Station
Recorded by Mary Mazurek, June 1997, at Studio 1, WFMT.
Mixed and mastered by Stuart Rosenburg at the Bat Cave.
