Marianne Faithfull's Burning Moonlight is a spookily beautiful gift from beyond the grave
The voice is smoky and blue, full of ancient wisdom married with devil-may-care insouciance. 'It's just the sort of mood I'm in,' sings Marianne Faithfull. 'Burning moonlight, like fire, like food.'
It is wonderful to hear the late, great troubadour sing to us again, just a few weeks since we lost her, in a spookily beautiful gift from beyond the grave. Burning Moonlight, released today, is from an EP of recordings Faithfull made in her last year, before her death on January 30, age 78. We know that she was suffering from emphysema and long Covid-19, and had told me in an interview in 2021 that she was barely able to sing any more. The fact that she summoned up the strength to carry on making music says a lot about what a formidable character she was.
Co-written by Faithfull (and two other writers) Burning Moonlight finds her pondering the creative need to live life on the edge. 'Burning moonlight to survive, walking in fire is my life.' There are hints of loneliness, sorrow and regret, as she tells us 'It seems I nearly had a plan' and 'wherever I go I'm alone', but there is a counterbalancing sense of resilience in the mysterious notion that 'burning moonlight' is the very purpose of her existence.
The stark musical setting (produced by long-time collaborator Head, aka Howard Bullivant) harks back to the folk pop of her debut single, the Jagger and Richards composition As Tears Go By, from 1965. But there are six decades of life experience between that debut, and this swan song, and you can hear it in every note.
An EP of four new songs will be released by Decca as limited-edition vinyl for Record Store Day on April 12, and will be made available worldwide as a digital EP on June 6. It includes two originals, Burning Moonlight and Love Is (the latter written by her grandson, Oscar Dunbar) and two folk songs, Three Kinsmen Bold (which she learnt from her father, Glynn Faithfull) and a new interpretation of She Moved Thru the Fair.
There is often a sense that singing is a young person's game, particularly in the pop realm. Old voices grow weaker, more cracked. But Faithfull's singing is a reminder that the voice is a vehicle for our humanity, and when the singer has the ability to put themselves fully into the song, age can bring a majesty inaccessible to the young. Faithfull only really started sounding great when she lost the sweetness of her youthful tone and has rarely sounded better than on this utterly gorgeous end-of-life recording.
For more on Marianne Faithfull, listen to the Telegraph's Mick Brown interview the musician over 'champagne and a spliff' in 1994, and 'talk about the worst of times' on the Daily T podcast.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Scott Mills, 51, reveals he's finally financially secure and has 'made it' months after taking over BBC Radio 2's breakfast show from Zoe Ball
Scott Mills has revealed he's finally 'financially secure' feels like he's 'made it' after landing Zoe Ball 's gig on BBC Radio 2. The DJ, 51, took over hosting the highly esteemed breakfast show on from Zoe, 54, in January. Speaking about his career, Scott told The Telegraph how he's finally learned to say 'no' to work after years of missing sleep for various gigs. He said: 'I still feel insecurity a little bit. 'I also think that's because I work in an industry where you don't signup thinking this is a job for life. Contracts can end, radio stations get taken over, and then they decide "we don't have a lot for you". That's happened to a lot of people I know. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Through my 20s, 30s and even 40s, if I was offered work, I'd take it, sometimes at a risk to my health. 'I was working way too much, because my mindset was that you don't know when it might end.' Scott continued: 'There was one freshers' week where my schedule for playing in student unions was: Monday: Aberdeen, Tuesday: Glasgow, Wednesday: Edinburgh. 'I would do my show in London, fly to Scotland, do the gig around midnight, stay over with four hours sleep, fly back, do the show in London, repeat. 'I took every opportunity for 20 years and actually, I don't really want to any more. I enjoyed it, but life is different now.' After a career spanning three decades, Scott now finally believes he's 'made it', following his promotion by BBC bosses in January. He said: 'For the first time, I really do believe in myself. 'It's like, "you have to look at the facts. They've put you on the breakfast show, you must be doing something right".' Scott was previously reported to be taking a small pay rise for presenting the show, earning approximately £450,000 a year which is far below Zoe's £950,000. The dramatic pay difference comes as BBC bosses are under 'enormous pressure' to cut back on costs. Scott defended his salary and said he had been 'playing the long game' his whole life to reach this point. Zoe left the breakfast show to focus on family and admitted how she wouldn't miss the 4am wake up calls that come with anchoring the flagship slot. She said at the time: 'I've decided it's time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter. 'We've shared a hell of a lot, the good times, the tough times, there's been a lot of laughter. And I am going to miss you cats.'
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Sir Nick Faldo takes swipe at UK while bragging about Donald Trump friendship
Multimillionaire golfer Nick Faldo, who was knighted for services to sport, told how he has no plans to return to Britain after taking a recent stroll down Eton High Street Sir Nick Faldo has criticised the UK using one of the nation's wealthiest high streets to attack his homeland while simultaneously praising life in his pal Donald Trump's America. The multimillionaire golfer, who was knighted for services to sport, told how he has no plans to return to Britain after taking a recent stroll down Eton High Street. 'We walked down Eton High Street because we used to live near there and it's looking a bit rough,' he said. 'You know, things have gone down. The shops are closing, there's boarded up windows and I'm disappointed to see that the country is struggling, to be honest. And, I mean, that's a shame.' The six-time major winner then boasted about his friendship with Trump before praising his adopted America, where he lives with his fourth wife, Lindsay De Marco. The former topless dancer is an ardent fan of the controversial president, often posting her support of him on the couple's Instagram page. When asked about Trump's America, Faldo, 67, told the Telegraph: 'You've got to say the attitude [in the US] is good. It's back to the good old psychology of life. You've got to be seeing good things and saying good things. Self-hypnosis is really powerful, you know?' His gushing praise of Trump's leadership came as America is currently teetering on the edge of recession, where grocery prices are spiralling due to the US leader's unhinged tariffs, and democracy is under siege from the president's attacks. Despite accepting a knighthood and continuing to use the 'Sir' title, Faldo said he has no intention of returning to the UK, choosing instead to spend his time in Montana, where he lives on a farm with his wife. Last year, the couple attended a Trump campaign rally during which the US leader spoke about the golfer while on stage. Addressing supporters in August, he said: "This guy is a major golfer. He is a major friend of mine. One of the best ever. They knighted him in England or the UK. And he just knew how to win. He could take people, he'd play the best players in the world, and they always folded in front of him. In fact, I think I need to bring him into government 'cause we like to get other people to fold. And his nickname is Foldo (sic) because he makes everyone, but his name is Faldo. Nick Faldo and his beautiful wife, Lyndsay. Where is Nick?" Trump then turned to point to the retired golfer who was sitting several rows back from the podium. "That guy can play golf," Trump added. "He's won six majors and many, many tournaments, and he's one of the greatest golfers ever. It's an honour, as a golfer. You are a piece of work. He's a tough cookie, too. You talk about a tough cookie. That's a tough cookie." Now, Faldo has spoken about his friendship with Trump, boasting about their relationship. 'He always calls me Nicky,' the golfer said of the businessman, recalling the frequency of their conversations. 'So when I started TV, out of the blue, a Monday after a tournament, I remember I was down hitting golf balls, and it's Donald, back when he was just a businessman,' he added. ''Nicky,'' Faldo said, impersonating Trump. Nicky, how did he blow that tournament? You wouldn't have done that, Nicky. You'd have done this, you'd have done that, Nicky.' Over ten years, that happened two or three times a year out of the blue.' Faldo revelled in the idea of calling Trump, treating the president as a party trick. 'For fun, I could be anywhere in the world and if somebody was talking about this and that, I'd say: 'I'll call him'. And I always get through. Honestly. One hundred per cent of the time,' he said. He went on to reveal an anecdote about ignoring a phone call from the president during the 2019 Masters, while on live television. 'It's the 2019 Masters. Tiger's just won... one of the ladies from CBS leans over to me and goes, 'I have a call from the president of the United States for you, sir...'' 'I say, 'Oh, tell him to call me on Monday.' She goes, 'no, it's the president of the United States'. It's fine, tell him that I'm busy, I'm on with (sports presenter Jim) Nantz!.' So anyway, about 4pm... my phone rings and I've got the president of the United States on the line. I've got Donald saying, 'Nicky, Nicky, how did he win this? How did he win this? How did he do that?' I go back: 'Do you realise that I'm live on flipping TV. Do you mind?' So my claim to fame is that he called two golfers on that day, and Tiger was second.' Faldo's praise for Trump comes as the president's bizarre tariffs hammer US households and his administration flouts laws and the constitution to impose the US leader's will. His wife has made no secret of her love for the former businessman, often posting on social media her support. Last year, following a failed assassination attempt on Trump, she posted a picture of him as he raised his hand in defiance. She wrote alongside the picture: "This is the only man I want leading our country." Before Joe Biden dropped out of the race, she often criticised the then-US leader. She has long held conservative views. Her fifth of seven husbands was multi-millionaire US businessman Scott Sangalli. As Mrs Sangalli, the couple, who were close to failed Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, used his wealth to support the Republican party while indulging Lindsay in her love of politics. Thirteen years ago, after running for office herself, she won the title of Mrs Conservative US. On winning the title, Lindsay, who is a convicted drug felon, said: "One side or size doesn't fit all, and the liberal agenda isn't for everyone. "The pageant sends out the message to women that being a conservative woman or young lady is a choice like any other. If it's their choice, then they should embrace it, and the Conservative US Pageant is the perfect place to showcase conservative women of all ages and to celebrate conservatism in America."
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Downton Abbey quaint village overwhelmed by tourists as residents divided
Downton Abbey, which initially ran on ITV before becoming a film series, has filmed in places such as Bampton in Oxfordshire, which was used as an outdoor location Residents of a village that was used in Downton Abbey are said to be divided over the tourism that its association with the ITV show brings to the community. It's been described as a "magnet" for visitors after its appearances on-screen. Bampton in Oxfordshire is among the filming locations from Downton Abbey, which ran for six seasons from 2010 to 2015. It's been followed by two films, which came out in 2019 and 2022, with a third set to be released later this year. The village is said to have been used as an outdoor location for the fictional Downton since 2010. Characters have been seen at St Mary's Church and other locations in Bampton, like its Community Hub, which appeared as a hospital. It has been reported that the community has attracted international visitors due to its role in the Downton Abbey franchise. According to the Telegraph though, the village is now divided over the tourism boom that it's generated. Some residents have said that it has generated a "small fortune" which has helped to improve buildings and services in the community. Others however have complained about tourists flocking to the area, with some visitors said to have even been found on resident's driveways whilst exploring. It's reported that guided tours of Bampton and other filming locations from the acclaimed TV show can cost as much as £500 each for visitors. The outlet adds that fans of the historical drama often visit St Mary's Church. A volunteer at Bampton Community Hub claimed that their charity shop was making £1,000 a day from visitors at one point. They told the outlet: "It has made us a small fortune." They continued: "Hundreds of thousands of pounds – we've had thousands and thousands and thousands of visitors." The tourism is said to have helped the community to fund renovation work. The financial impact has also reportedly supported the improving of services like the village library, an exhibition space and a community archive. Not everyone seems as keen on the amount of tourism that the village's connection to Downton Abbey has prompted. One resident said that tourists "just go everywhere" and said that they "often" stand on his own driveway. Another suggest that whilst they contribute to the library, they "don't have enough time" to support other venues in Bampton by visiting them. They said that the area is "better off" with families visiting in car, rather than bus tours. Bampton is just one of the locations used on the show. Highclere Castle in Hampshire features as the fictional Downton Abbey in the franchise. Lord Carnarvon said in 2015 that his property had become a "major tourist attraction" because of the show, adding: "It has been a wonderful thing for us."
