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No Mud, No Lotus

by Claire McAllister Music

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1.
Presence 06:30
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You're not here but I know you would be if you could, if you could You would put your loving arms around me, if you could, if you could You would rub my aching back, you would ease my worrying mind You would make it alright You would make me soup You press your presence on me You hoover up my anxiety You ease my aching heart You were dear but you couldn't be here, far away, far away When I hear the soaring flute dear, I hear you speak far away You would rub my aching back, you would ease my worrying mind You would make it alright You would make me soup You press your presence on me You hoover up my anxiety The loose space around me is scary And the long road ahead is too far But you wrap your loving arms around me yeah You press your presence on me You hoover up my anxiety You ease my aching heart
2.
Water 05:12
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Flying in the face of reason, flying debris spinning round Standing central in the vortex, fragments pulling through the crowd Higher, faster, stronger Bring me back down to the water I can see you in the distance, waiting now to take my hand Reaching out and splitting chaos, getting closer to the water Higher (it's spinning up around me) faster (intensity is rising) stronger (gravity is failing) Bring me back down to the water Higher, faster, stronger Bring me back down to the water Anywhere the wind blows (anywhere the wind blows) I will always follow (I will always follow) Take me to the water (Take me to the water) I will go Higher (it's spinning up around me) faster (intensity is rising) stronger (gravity is failing) Bring me back down to the water Higher, faster, stronger Bring me back down to the water
3.
Peace 05:26
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Come with me, come with me, come with me I have no peace while you're in struggle How can I help you to find peace? You cannot solve all the problems yet while you try you hurt yourself How can I help you to find peace? You pull me with one hand and push me with another And when I stand back you want me near When I step forward to take your arm You disappear How can I help you to find peace? I feel your pain while you're in struggle Plans and dreams are hitting walls We cannot change things around us, only which way to go How can I help you to find peace? And you pull me with one hand and push me with another And when I stand back you want me near When I step forward to take your arm You disappear How can I help you to find peace? Winter mist is falling down Starling's murmuration in the sky I want you take my hand and fly........ I have no peace while you're in struggle How can I help you to find peace? You cannot solve all the problems yet while you try you hurt yourself How can I help you to find peace? You pull me with one hand and push me with another And when I stand back you want me near When I step forward to take your arm You disappear How can I help you to find peace? Come with me, come with me, come with me Take my hand, take my hand Make peace with the struggle Make peace with the struggle Make peace with the struggle

about

***For a limited time, we are offering free downloads of ‘Caminos’ with every purchase of ‘No Mud, No Lotus’. Once you have ordered, you will be emailed a download code.***

In writing, recording, performing and later choosing the title for this EP it became clear that the songs expressed a troubled period but also emerging beautiful aspects that came about because of those challenges. I remembered the analogy of the lotus flower, which needs muddy, murky waters to grow and bloom, brought to my attention from the book (of the same title) by Zen Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh, in which he talks about how joy and happiness can come from transforming experiences of suffering, hence the title.

Presence (2021) was written in the aftermath of the pandemic amidst much personal, familial and global change and challenge. Remembering and feeling the presence of ancestors and absent loved ones, some of whom would have wanted to show their love and support, became a comfort at this time. Added to which, the creation, recording and performance of the song seemed to make that presence more present and thus a stronger comfort as time went on.

Water (2022) is a song about experiencing anxiety or panic and seeking or finding a safe grounding, whether it’s through coming back into the body, through nature, through the arts or another’s support and love.

Peace (2023) is about the struggle to find peace when a loved one is struggling themselves to find peace. How do you help them? It felt like the peace comes by making peace with the struggle within and also trying to help the other do the same if possible. In other words making peace despite struggle.

The themes in the songs reflect lots of people’s experiences over the last few years and I hope that the songs convey that good things, beauty and connectedness are always there despite what’s going on around us.

Since preparing for the release of this EP, news of the terrible suffering in Gaza has reached us all and it is my sincere hope and prayer that this musical offering alongside all the artists, creatives and people working to support the sufferers will help in the fight for peace and love so desperately needed everywhere on this planet.

credits

released December 4, 2023

I’m very grateful to all involved in the making of this EP and those who have supported the process of creating and releasing.

Recording - Chris Taylor
Piano - Giuliano Parisi
Composition, arrangement, vocals and EP design - Claire McAllister
Dance - Martin Bowes
Videography - Richard Hardy
Photography - Adedoyin Adesina

Claire McAllister is a singer songwriter and spoken word artist whose style blends elements from art song, ambient music and jazz. As a counsellor and mother with a background in teaching Claire’s life experience provides rich resource for writing about our shared human experiences often asking questions or describing challenges and exploring ways to find meaning and joy.

The daughter of musicians she started writing songs in childhood and went on to play in numerous bands and ensembles including running a successful function band for 10 years. In 2010 she won the PureSolo vocal competition in association with Jazz FM and went on to study a Masters in Jazz performance at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music. In 2018 her album Caminos was released under the Turquoise Coconut record label and she was invited to perform on BBC Radio London on the Robert Elms show and was interviewed on London TV.

In her latest EP No Mud, No Lotus, Claire joins talented pianist/composer Giuliano Parisi again (Giuliano played on Caminos). Writing for this started in 2021 in the aftermath of the pandemic and finished early 2023. The songs speak about challenges common to many of us and the unexpected beauty that can come from them, not unlike the message of the book of the same title, written by Zen Bhuddist Thich Nhat Hanh. Performances of this work include dancer and movement collector Martin Bowes.

She has studied or worked with Dennis Rollins, Kate Williams, Ian Shaw, Liane Carroll, Brigitte Beraha, Carlos Lopez-Real, Scott Stroman and Malcolm Edmonstone to name a few.

“Her music and words strike an exquisite balance between captivating poeticism and softly-lit musical soundworlds” - John Garner

"This is an emotive release featuring soulful vocal performances, delicate instrumentation and an addictive vibe. This excellent release needs to be heard" - @fvmusicblog

"Minds (Caminos) is rich with such directed and deep lyrics behind a voice filled with melancholy. It goes straight to the heart. It is inspired by talent and professional experience" - New Artist Discoveries

Claire also runs and performs in the gypsy swing, bossa nova band Nomad!c.

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Claire McAllister Music London, UK

Singer songwriter and spoken word artist, Claire's style blends elements from art song, ambient music and jazz. Counsellor and mother with a background in teaching Claire’s life experience provides rich resource for writing about our shared human experiences, often seeking answers and exploring ways to find meaning and joy.
London Guildhall Music School graduate.
www.clairemcallistermusic.com ... more

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