A CD featuring one of Northern Ireland's best known singer-songwriters and a group of Londonderry street drinkers has been launched in the city.
'John Street Blues', a collaboration between Belfast singer songwriter Bap Kennedy and members of the Foyle Haven drop in centre, aims to give an insight into the experiences of the city's street drinkers while also raising funds for Altnagelvin Hosp
ital's Accident and Emergency department.
Foyle Haven manager Dougal McPartland said the CD had its genesis in a desire to "involve the street drinkers in a project that would give their side of the story, or at least focus on some of the positive work that is being done on behalf of and by street drinkers."
Foyle Haven approached onetime Energy Orchard frontman Bap Kennedy, older brother of singer Brian, to get involved, and from an initial recording session and writing session the CD's title track was born.
"The main song is an original composition which Bap Kennedy co-ordinated and is entitled John Street Blues," Dougal said.
"It is written by people living life on the street and is full of poignant reminders of the conditions they face on a daily basis from the effects of alcoholism and homelessness."
He said music was a central tool in Foyle Haven's therapeutic work with street drinkers and the CD was a natural progression from the impromptu sing songs that are a common feature of life at Foyle Haven.
As well as the title track the CD also features a send up of Foyle Haven staff on 'The Foyle Haven Song' and a rendition of the Hank Williams song 'I Saw The Light'.
The CD is available from Cool Discs on Foyle Street priced £5.
The full article contains 300 words and appears in Londonderry Sentinel newspaper.
