By THIRSTY
Moira Smiley is a singer and composer
who creates and performs works for voices. A musical polyglot, and self-proclaimed
“vocal shape-shifter,” she has participated in projects for film and television,
and on more than 60 albums. When she is not leading her own group, Moira Smiley
& VOCO, she is often on tour. Her recordings feature spare, vocally driven
collections of traditional songs, original polyphony and body percussion.
Stay
Thirsty Magazine presents this video produced by Moira Smiley of the
song, “Bring Me Little Water, Sylvie,” attributed to Huddle William Ledbetter,
better known as Lead Belly, first heard in 1936, for its uplifting and enduring
qualities.
[Lead Belly’s Uncle Bob Ledbetter had a wife named Sylvie. When he was
out plowing with his mules he would often holler for Sylvie to bring him some
water. After a long time, this holler developed into a song. When Lead Belly
performed, he often taught audiences the background of his songs so that they
would understand the harshness of rural life in the Deep South.]
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| Moira Smiley |
STAY THIRSTY: What were your reasons for making this video?
MOIRA SMILEY: I’ve been concerned about issues of justice,
pollution and access to water, as we’ve been made aware of droughts and water
shortages near and far. My concern about this most essential part of life
has deeply shaped the last few years of my writing and performing. If there’s a
natural connection made in this video to today’s causes for water, it’s simply
because of the enduring power of a good song with straightforward, universal
lyrics.
This song came to life in the
outdoors, and is a call for water from a farm field.
When we shot the video last year,
there was drought and flooding everywhere, and this simple call for water took
on a more urgent, wider meaning to me. The video dances us from a dry road into
lush garden.
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