Musician Alan Sheppard has had enough of racism and he has pitched into the Black Lives Matter movement by releasing a song entitled Black Lives Matter More Than This.
Speaking to Bajan Vibes recently, Alan said he thought it up in one go and it was very easy to compose.
“This one came to me quite quickly. It all came to me in a flowing way and I knew that I had received a gift that I had to share with the world. Within six days, I started writing to finish the recording and production of the audio and video; a labour of love for something that I believe in,” he said.
The veteran entertainer described the song as necessary and he was very pleased with the responses so far.
“It is a heartfelt song and to know that it resonates with so many gives me hope that a change is coming. This song is a heartfelt response to the current challenges facing the world. It sang itself through me as I was sleeping and I got up and recorded it there and then as I knew there must be a message in it that I should share with you all. I pray that we all unite and rise up motivated by Martin Luther King’s belief in the power of love to create a better world for us all.”
The co-founder and lead singer of the legendary band Spice & Company which catered to a Caribbean and global audience, spoke to the effects of music.
“The power of song has, for time immemorial, reached the hearts of men, unified people and given strength where apparently no hope was in sight. For decades, many of my songs tell that we are all connected in love and not separated by anything including race, nation and gender.”
Alan said he believes in freedom from oppression for citizens of the world, whoever they may be. The piano player added that he is grateful to be able to express through song some of his personal responses to what he sees happening in the world such as the Black Lives Matter movement and hashtagged I Can’t Breathe so as to express solidarity with women, men and children who are going through suffering.
Musicians such as Elton John, he said, and the iHeartRadio sessions demonstrate the power of song as one aspect of “creative altruism” that Martin Luther King spoke of.
As it relates to his time with Spice & Company, the band which dominated during the 80s and 90s, Alan explained they left a legacy of songs and live performance recordings which are still a source of joy and inspiration to fans around the world even today.
Spice & Company was founded in 1976 by four young teenagers born in Barbados. Alan Sheppard, Dean Straker and Roger Foster went on to compose, arrange and produce a catalogue of hit songs in the Caribbean between 1982 and 1995. Spice & Company toured Canada extensively from 1986 to 1994, gaining massive popularity there. They were also the recipients of many awards, inluding the Canadian Organization of Campus Activities Award for top recording act in 1988 and the Caribbean Band of the Year in 1989 at the Sunshine Awards in Miami.
In 1995, the Spice & Company was disbanded at the zenith of their career.
In 2010, after a 15-year hiatus, they came together to produce one of the most talked about shows ever seen in Barbados at the Globe Drive-In to a crowd of 8000 Barbadians.
Alan also spoke of recording an album of new songs that he is writing.
“I have launched an album of instrumental music for meditation called Waves of My Soul. It is on iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Amazon music and many more online streaming services.
“I continue my songwriting and have a catalogue of songs waiting to be recorded as part of my solo career. Bringing music to the world is my only focus and I have totally dedicated my life to songwriting, recording and giving uplifting performances as a solo artiste.
Alan said his goals within the coming years include creating, publishing and releasing a body of musical works that expresses how he feels about life and the world in which he lives.
“It is an instrumental collection of music for meditation and wellness for the mind, body and spirit much needed in these times. I am creating a collection of visual art pieces as well, to be exhibited in the near future.”
His online performances have also received good traction with viewers and fans. “I have been so overwhelmed by the response to my online performances through the past 12 weeks of Social Distancing Parties on Facebook. This experience has shown me the potential of reaching and uplifting more people’s lives globally with the power of song. I am currently working on developing my online presence across social media and new online venues for now and the post-COVID-19 future.”
His family has always been a source of inspiration and support, especially his mother Betty Sheppard. She was known for her tea time piano gigs in Barbados.
“There was always music, dancing and singing in our home as I grew up. I taught myself to play the guitar, and later the piano, drums and other instruments. My wider family includes photographers, actors, singers, musicians and creative writers. I am forever grateful for the love of my family and our warm celebration of the arts.” (MR)
