Emily Scott Robinson - Built on Bones '2022

Tracks list

       “Built on Bones” is a collection of six original songs for
the Witches of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Originally commissioned as a live
piece for theater by director Colin Sullivan, the song cycle was recorded in May
2022 in Nashville with producer Brandy Zdan and is set to release fall of 2022
on Oh Boy Records. It features Emily Scott Robinson (writer/composer), Alisa
Amador (NPR Tiny Desk Contest Winner 2022) and Lizzy Ross (of duo Violet Bell)
as the three witches singing through the tragedy of Macbeth in three-part
harmony.
The record begins with “Built on Bones,” the prophesy delivered by
the Witches foretelling Macbeth’s rise to power and subsequent death.
Next is “Old Gods,” the love song and theme for Macbeth and Lady
Macbeth, sung by the Witches as the two lovers reunite after battle. The third
track is “Double Double,” a fresh, sexy and celebratory version of
the infamous spell cast by the Witches.
The B side of the record is darker as the machinations of the Macbeths unravel
in the final acts of the play. “Sleep No More,” is sung in a circle
around Lady Macbeth as she exists in a waking nightmare of her own
hallucinations and the Witches prepare her for the afterlife. “Old
Gods” is then reprised in the minor key as Macbeth grieves his
wife’s untimely death in the famous “tomorrow and tomorrow and
tomorrow” soliloquy. “Men and Moons” serves as the epilogue to
the play. The Witches are joined on stage by other women characters— Lady
Macbeth, Lady Macduff, and the Crone— to sing a Celtic prayer and
blessing song about the cycles of life, death and rebirth.
Artist’s Note: It is important to know that Shakespeare wrote Macbeth
under the reign of King James I of England, a ruler who sanctioned brutal and
violent witch hunts and trials across his kingdom, imprisoning and murdering
countless women. In line with the fears and stereotypes of that time, the
Witches of Macbeth are written as ugly, hag-like, and scary creatures— a
portrayal that has persisted in popular culture for hundreds of years. We
thought it was time for a powerful rewrite of these Witches as the healers,
seers, and creators that they are. Today we are still in a battle for the
sovereignty and safety of the bodies of women, non-binary, and trans people.
Through these songs we declare that our power and magic cannot be controlled or
snuffed out by a violent patriarchy of fearful men.



Tracklist:
1 01. Emily Scott Robinson - Built on Bones (04:29)
1 02. Emily Scott Robinson - Old Gods (Theatrical Version) (03:34)
1 03. Emily Scott Robinson - Double Double (03:48)
1 04. Emily Scott Robinson - Sleep No More (02:17)
1 05. Emily Scott Robinson - Old Gods (Minor Reprise) (03:31)
1 06. Emily Scott Robinson - Men and Moons (03:33) 

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