The Barton Street Recordings:

Thirty of the estimated sixty plus languages spoken in Gloucester were collected as part of this community arts project for Artshape and GARAS.

I have combined these field recordings of language, poetry and songs with images of the city, to reflect the inner lives of people who now live there.

They hark back to lost homelands, a simple life belonging to another age, or beliefs from a different culture. But they are also negotiating life in a modern city.

Empathy is an under rated human quality these days, but it is empathy that threads together singer, artist and listener.

I would like to thank all those who took part in the Barton Street Recordings:
Aka, Almas, Alireza, Al Fatheha Madrassa, Angela, Black Elders, Dinesh, Dammi, Dwane, Friendship Café Young Girls’ Activity Group, Gofran, Guildhall Community Choir, Hindu Elders, Ilyas, Jason, Jeannette, Jaana, Kidana, Living Word Choir, Marof, Nic, Richard, Qi, Shanika, Dr Tunweer, Tenzin, Yun, Zirak.

Fiona Kam Meadley, November 2009

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