By MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
12 February 2010
Pair aim 'The Journey's Over' at those who have lost loved ones
IT IS certainly not the cheeriest album you're likely to buy this year.
But Lothian musicians Bruce Birrell and Juliet Nisbet believe they are on to a hit with what they believe to be the very first album of "funeral songs".
And while the pair say the songs from their album The Journey's Over will appeal largely to those who have lost a loved one, they say it could also make a fantastic gift for Valentine's Day.
Bruce, 61, who is from Dalkeith and works for the estates department of Queen Margaret University, said: "Many of the songs are about death but there are also a lot of sentiments in there that would appeal to those with a bit of romance in their heart, which could be very popular at this time of year.
"We didn't set out to write an album of funeral songs but we write from experience. Juliet is in the medical profession so she sees death from a different perspective than most people and some of her lyrics are just beautiful.
"The title song to the album usually brings tears to people's eyes, especially deeply emotional people, but the lyrics have the potential to give comfort to those who have lost, or are about to lose, a loved one."
The pair wrote all 14 songs together, and have released the album under the name Spirit of Love. Nurse Juliet plays guitar and violin and composed the tunes, while Bruce penned some of the lyrics.
The duo's target markets include undertakers, crematoria, solicitors, hospitals, and church and religious groups.
They have also received a request for copies from Premier Christian Radio, in London, and think their album has the potential to make it big in the American "Bible Belt".
Juliet, 47, from Port Seton, said: "Music can be a great comfort to the bereaved and we hope this will be a hit with many people who are mourning a loved one.
"It fills a gap in the market and we're amazed no one seems to have tackled this before."
Juliet has been staff nurse for 28 years, and currently works at Belhaven Hospital in Dunbar as well as part-time at the hospital which cares for elderly patients.
The pair have road tested some of their songs under their other name The Baseliners, which entertains residents at nursing homes, day care centres and hospitals throughout the Lothians. Bruce added: "No-one has ever said the subject matter is morbid. On the contrary, they find the song very uplifting and emotional.
"Although the album has a strong emphasis on coming to terms with grief and loss, our music is also spiritual and romantic. We believe it will be uplifting as well as reassuring. Some of the songs celebrate finding love as well as losing someone dear."
The Journey's Over is available from selected music shops, online at www.spiritoflove.biz or by telephoning 07948-343822 07948-343822 .
INSPIRATION?
* Going Underground - The Jam
* Cemetery Gates - The Smiths
* Living in a Box - Living in a Box
* Light My Fire - The Doors
* Ashes to Ashes - David Bowie
* Don't Fear The Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult
* Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
* Knocking on Heaven's Door - Bob Dylan
* The Great Gig in the Sky - Pink Floyd
* Spirit in the Sky - Norman Greenbaum
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