Ian Wills, whom The Times Magazine described as “the Ian Dury of the 21st Century”, has teamed up with the Queen of Celtic music, Clannad’s Moya Brennan, to produce a work of rare beauty, both melodically and lyrically. Already described as a Christmas song as resonant as Fairytale of New York, the combination of Ian’s profound and timeless lyrics and the legendary Moya’s ethereal, bewitching vocals, delivers a magical song for any time of the year but is destined to strike a chord in the hearts of millions this Christmas.
Inspired by increasingly worrying world events and reflecting on his own young daughter’s life, Mercy’s Door tells a true-life story of redemptive light at the end of what often seems an endlessly dark tunnel. Following a suggestion to feature not only his own vocals but also those of a guest singer, he immediately aimed to the top of his wish-list, the iconic figurehead of modern Irish music, Moya Brennan of Clannad. To his immense surprise (and delight!) she accepted, deeply affected by his lyrics and contributing her iconic, ethereal voice to the track. Also featuring the choir of Ian’s young daughter’s school, Mercy’s Door is both profoundly moving yet uplifting – the perfect song to share this Christmas.
Ian’s confrontational and often stark use of language has elevated him to the position of one of Britain’s premiere spoken word artists. Transferring his skill with words to a musical canvas with his band Wills & The Willing reaped immediate praise from the likes of Janice Long at Radio 2 and even receiving praise for his lyrics from the legendary Les Paul. Their first album was declared “Pick of the Fringe” at the Edinburgh Festival in 2005, whilst its follow-up were supported by live appearances at venues as varied as The Royal Albert Hall and the Isle of Wight Festival. With his fourth album readied for release, Ian Wills continues to be one of the country’s most challenging and important artists.
Mercy’s Door the brand-new single from Wills & The Willing featuring the queen of Celtic music, Moya Brennan (Clannad) and the Prebendal School Chamber Choir. Recorded and produced by Sean Genockey (Roger Daltrey, The Proclaimers) mixed by Steve Bush (Stereophonics, Ocean Colour Scene, Corrine Bailey Rae).
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Website: www.willandthewilling.com
