26 November 2014
Newsdesk
‘Sleep For England’ is the third release from the critically admired, ‘International Blue’ album. A re-work by Julian Lennon of Stephen Emmer and Neil Crossley’s original recording, which featured on the digital release of the album earlier this year.
Produced by Tony Visconti, the single has been given all the Xmas trimmings, sleigh bells and a boys-choir against an atmospheric background with a rich, definitive vocal from Julian.
Fitting the British pop music tradition of Xmas songs with a social commentary, ‘Sleep For England’ presents a narrative that transcends age, race and class, inspired by the classic alternative Xmas songs such as; Jona Lewie’s ’Stop the Cavalry’, ‘2000 Miles’ by the Pretenders, ‘Father Christmas’ by the Kinks and ‘Happy Xmas (War is Over)’ by John Lennon, to name but a few.
All proceeds from the single go to Julian’s charity ‘The White Feather Foundation’, which tackles environmental and humanitarian issues.
Julian chose the name ‘The White Feather Foundation’ as it has a very special meaning close to his heart: “Dad** once said to me, that should he pass away, if there was some way of letting me know he was going to be ok the message would come to me in the form of a White Feather”. Some years later Julian was presented with a white feather by an Aboriginal tribal elder, which lead to the creation of foundation for the purpose of giving a voice to those who cannot be heard.
'Sleep for England’ will be added to an extended version of the ‘International Blue’ album, which will get a physical release on CD on January 1st 2015
