LIAM TAYLOR-WEST

A RIVER'S SONG

 

A River's Song is an original piece of music and community artwork.

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It takes its inspiration from the River Malago that runs through South Bristol, and was created in collaboration with people from the local area who responded to an open call-out between July and October 2025.

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The piece focuses on several aspects of the river's existence, from its resilience to poor treatment and urban development, to the nature that can be found along its banks and people's memories of life by the water.

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The music was recorded primarily at Philip Street Chapel in Bedminster and on location alongside the River Malago, with extra recording happening at Space In Time Studio, Windmill Hill City Farm, BBC Bristol, and people's homes.

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The project was commissioned by Ginkgo Projects and funded by Watkin Jones plc with Bristol City Council.

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CREATIVE TEAM

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Liam Taylor-West - Project Lead and Music Arranger
Kate Fletcher - Choir Lead and Choir Arranger
Patrick Phillips - Recording Engineer and Producer

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Recorded Musicians:
Helen Adshead (Vocals), Onora Alexander (Vocals, Piano), Patrick Alexander (Fiddle), James Anderson (Double Bass), Ramona Andrews (Clarinet), Sarah Bradley (Violin), Teri Bramah (Vocals, Guitar), Edie Church (Cello), Jayne Connell (Spoken Word), William Cullum (Vocals, Guitar), Russ Davidson (Bouzouki), Kate Fletcher (Vocals, Violin), Erik Geelhoed (Harmonica), Foxy Hoohargh (Percussion), Emily Jones (Vocals, Guitar), John Joseph (Guitar, Piano), Anthony Nasce (Synthesizer), Sophia Richards (Flute), Gerry Rowe (Vocals, Guitar), Sophie Scott (Cello), Anja Quinn (Vocals, Percussion), Hiroko Uno Thompson (Concertina)

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Recorded Choir:
Helen Adshead, Onora Alexander, Patrick Alexander, James Anderson, Teri Bramah, Jayne Connell, Mark Connell, Jan Cowley, Finbar Cullen, Tim Cunion, Russ Davidson, Carmella Fletcher, Pete Fletcher, Tessa Fitzjohn, Foxy Hoohargh, Hilary Irvine, Ali Johnson, Andrea Jonat, John Joseph, Debbie Loosley, Rachel Peatfield, Sophie Scott, Lynn Templar, Hiroko Uno Thompson, Katie Winter, Deb Rowan Wright

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Sound Recordists:
Alice Kirk - River Malago on Location

Dan Davies - Farm Adventurers at Windmill Hill City Farm

Becky Ripley - Jayne Connell at BBC Bristol

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Listening Exhibition Light Installation created by Zoe Broome and Liam Taylor-West
River Walk Audio Experience created by Jon Somerscales 

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Project Documentary Film by Angel Sherrard and Poppy Moore of Lensfolk Media
Photographs and additional footage by Natalia Kida and Sam Church

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Additional Project Ideas and River Knowledge by Elmslie Philip 

Project Promotion by Jane Faram, Ursula Billington, Pete Bennett, Ben Barker and Abigail Hillier

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With thanks to Sam, Neil, Susan and Philbert at Philip Street Chapel

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The voice of Adge Cutler appears on Track 7 with the kind permission of John Miles 

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Exhibitions:​

Listening Exhibition, Philip Street Chapel, Bedminster, Bristol, 2025

 

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LISTEN TO AUDIO EXPERIENCE

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1. BRUSHING
(Cleaning earth from words carved into Deborah Jones' Malago Spring Artwork)

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2. THE WONDERING
words and music by Teri Bramah

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3. DARK AND LIGHT
words by Jayne Connell / music by John Joseph

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4. I BELONG TO THE SEA
words and music by Gerry Rowe

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5. WHERE THE MALAGO GOES
words and music by Helen Adshead / verse 3 words by Finbar Cullen

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6 BUDDLEIA
words and music by William Cullum "The Town Gardens"

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7. MOONLIGHT ON THE MALAGO / PATSY ALEXANDER'S
composed by Hiroko Uno Thompson / arranged by Russ Davidson

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8. AS THE RIVER PULLS AWAY
words and music by Onora Alexander

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9. LINE OF CONNECTION
(The Malago flowing into the Interceptor at Manor Woods Valley)