AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'

Subject: RE: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 13 Jan 10 - 08:50 AM

There's a link further up the thread, in my 23 Jun 09 - 03:11 PM post. That is my home-recorded version. The final, definitive, studio version is on my new album ("Looking Both Ways"), with Paul Sartin on Cor Anglais and Pete Flood on Udu pot, obtainable from my website (www.folk4all.net/Albums.htm). No YouTube video so far, but I am looking to have two videos made for two of the album's songs - Azadeh is one, Thieves Of Innocence the other.

Subject: RE: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: GUEST,Good Song
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 07:29 AM

Looks good, can I hear it anywhere on line, you tube etc? any guitar chords?

Subject: RE: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: GUEST,Jill Swanson
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 06:54 AM

George,
I also followed NR and was lucky enough to become friends with him. I was the one who told him about your song and got him the link. He was so moved. It got stuck in both our heads (I like the version you called 256, that was what he heard I believe before you rerecorded it). We would talk late into the night. Then he vanished again. Later you might have noticed his friend CJ came on the account and tried to give us updates. The last I heard from him was Sept 2, when he DM'd me to say to expect good news soon but he couldn't talk about it. I am guessing that fell through, whatever it was. In any case all the accounts are monitored now, probably were then, and I doubt he will come back to Twitter. And honestly, I expect he went to prison. I hope he screamed AZADEH in their heartless bastard faces when they got him.

I miss him terribly, he was a passionate and very funny man who loved the arts, music, Shakespeare, we would talk about the plays on the nights he couldn't sleep. We talked about our kids until that got too hard for him and we avoided the subject after that. We talked at length about democracy and what form that might take in Iran. He had a great love of his country, of its potential, and he wanted to stay and save it, reform it, for his daughter. He could have left but he chose to stay and try to make a better world for her. He continues to be my inspiration. His one wish was that we would not forget him, not forget the cause for which he dedicated his life. I know I never will, but I am so glad your song reverberates around the world so no one else will either.

And on a personal note, your song gives me great comfort as I miss and mourn my friend.

If i ever hear from him I will post here.

Thank you.
Jill

Subject: RE: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 23 Jun 09 - 06:24 PM

All income of AZADEH has been pledged for benefit of victims/families of Iran protests. As it is available for download, realistically this means airplay/royalties unless it finds its way into the next album. And knowing that we probably will not be talking great amounts, I pledged to triple the first £100.

Subject: RE: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 23 Jun 09 - 03:36 PM

Like you, Amos, I watched the video the first time and just couldn't take it in. The second time I stopped half way, as the horror struck me full-on. I can't bear to watch it any more.

My 'tweeter' ('twitterrer'?) by the way has gone quiet for more than 36 hours now. I hope this means that he has simply gone underground...

Subject: RE: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 23 Jun 09 - 03:30 PM

I can't make it play for me, but maybe later. In the meantime, I have on my green fingernail polish. You can get it from Amazon.com.

Subject: RE: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: Amos
Date: 23 Jun 09 - 03:23 PM

A nice, nice job, my friend.

I watched the death throes of the innocent young woman who was shot, today; first I could steel myself to it, but I felt it must not be ignored or glossed over.

I wish I could capture it in song, moment by moment. It was a moment of unspeakable violence against beauty, shocking and awful.



A

Subject: RE: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 23 Jun 09 - 03:11 PM

New, punchier version of 'Azadeh' here

Subject: RE: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: Peace
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 07:02 PM

You might also want to see the thread entitled

"Lyr Add: Rose of Iran"

Another good heart-felt song that addresses the Persian situation.

Subject: RE: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: Peace
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 07:00 PM

GO, GEORGE!

Subject: RE: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 06:46 PM

George sang this at Herga tonight ! Just a Bit Good !!

Subject: RE: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 06:41 PM

Yes, I do indeed - thanks om.

Subject: RE: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: open mike
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 02:18 PM

you probably mean http://twitter.com/

Subject: RE: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 02:09 PM

Thanks Azizi. Indeed, NextRevolution himself, when he signs off says "goobye, not goodnight - this may be the last time". It puts my confortable days in perspective...

Subject: RE: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: Azizi
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 02:02 PM

What Neil said.

But being an American, I've been conditioned by the television and movie industries to expect happy endings for fictitious shows and songs. But this is real life, and having the ending [which I interpret as the student being found and shot or captured or worse] is a real possibility, though I hate to think of such a possibility.

And maybe that's part of the power of the song, it makes me (and maybe others like me] come face to face with the fact that what is going on in Iran now is real. It's not some movie. Iranians are daring to put their comfort and their lives on the line and things will not turn out well for all of them. If you had written your song with a happy ending, maybe this point wouldn't have been as clear as it is because of what I at least interpret as a possibly tragic ending.

I'm very glad that you found out that the blogger is safe-for now. I wish him well and hope that he and his daughter are reunited soon.

Subject: RE: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 01:58 PM

That should be played on all of the airwaves, tv, radio and internet. A beautiful, very poignant song and so immediately personal. Thank you, very much. Everyone should hear it!

One note, your lyrics say "Working without rest since Monday morning" but you sing "working with no rest..."

Thanks, again,

kat

Subject: RE: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: GUEST,Neil D
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 01:39 PM

That's very beautiful. Very moving. Thank You.

Subject: AZADEH - song based on Iranian 'tweets'
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 01:20 PM

Over the past week I have been monitoring the 'tweets' (short messages) from (and about) Iran on the microblogging site Tweeter. Early on, I latched onto a particular microblogger, with the 'handle' NextRevolution. It appears that he is a medical student at TUMS (Tehran Uni)and single parent. His messages ranged from the polemic, to frustration at the West's inaction, to the deeply personal, being worried about his little daughter (in hiding with his brother). He often expressed the wish to be out there with the other protesters, but his lot was to run a makeshift surgery patching up the injured as they were brought to him. During the week he had to change hiding places several times, and his messages stopped abruptly on Friday afternoon. In the middle of my concern for him, a song took shape, working itself around the name he called his daughter: AZADEH, or 'freedom' in Farsi. It is a common name, though Idon't think that is her real name, but I grabbed the symbolism with both hands. I purposely used a tune with heavy Middle Eastern influences, though the line structure is 100% western.

The song has been doing the rounds since last night, putting me in touch with a number of supporters of the protesters, and eventually with NextRevolution himself, who was moved and embarassed somewhat, but grateful nevertheless that someone outside their borders deemed his activities remarkable enough to write a song about him. "I am father, not hero" he said - and I replied that heroes are ordinary people, moved to heroic acts by circumstances.

I hope he will stay safe and perhaps one day I will meet him. Meanwhile, here is the song (click on title to hear it):

AZADEH

There's a body lying on the table
On the bed two more, but they are stable
Just three nameless victims of their courage
And he doesn't even have a bandage
But he does the best that he can manage
And he thinks of little Azadeh

From mid-morning everyday they gather
Sons and daughters of a million mothers
In the sea of green to drown the fakers
The unholy movers and the shakers
Those who make the laws and the lawbreakers
Those who want to shackle Azadeh

They're his friends and neighbours and relations
With a hunger spanning generations
But his skills are needed so they hide him
On the street basiji try to find him
On the news announcers try to blind him
And to take away his Azadeh

He would rather wear the green beside them
Asking for the freedom that's denied them
But they bring him wounded from the slaughter
And he hopes one day to be a doctor
And he hopes to see again his daughter
Little bright canary, Azadeh

Working without rest since Monday morning
As he keys a message there's a warning
In the hall there's creaking of the timbers
In his heart the ice of countless winters
Then the door falls in a million splinters
As he cries for freedom: 'Azadeh!'

21st June 2009