Musician and activist Phil Monsour is releasing his latest 12-song CD, Ghosts of Deir Yassin after the mobilisations for Palestinian Land Day on March 30. The CD is available online at Cdbaby and other outlets.
The songs on Ghosts of Deir Yassin were written during a trip to Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon. Inspired by the courage of ordinary people fighting for freedom and justice 鈥 from Palestine鈥檚 refugee camps and Egypt鈥檚 Tahrir Square to the Occupy movements 鈥 the lyrics are a fearless rally cry for action and solidarity.
Songs include about love at a checkpoint, the sombre against the siege of Gaza, and the title track 鈥淕hosts of Deir Yassin鈥 鈥 a statement of hope on the Palestinian right of return.
A video clip for 鈥淕hosts of Deir Yassin鈥, filmed in early January, in a number of refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon will be released shortly. Musically, the CD is a unique collection of anthemic rock songs and folk ballads combined to capture the alarm and optimism of the times.
The album was recorded at Wavelength Recording in Brisbane with the full band, which features Jon Lloyd on drums, Ian Kimber on bass and Graham Jackson on guitar. The title track features Palestinian spoken word artist Rafeef Ziadah.
Twenty percent of CD sales are donated to Union Aid Abroad (APHEDA) critical projects in the Middle East. Projects in the Middle East include the Gaza Emergency Appeal, Food Security Projects in the OPT and the Palestinian Camps Support Program. APHEDA is the international development agency of the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
Phil Monsour is a singer songwriter of Arab descent who lives in Australia. He is a founding member of Artists Against Apartheid-Australia, a trade union activist and organiser in the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign targeting Israel.
The聽Phil Monsour Band聽will celebrate the release of Ghosts of Deir Yassin聽on Saturday April聽21 at 7.30pm聽in聽the Souths Leagues聽Club,聽 Davies Park,聽Jane St, West End, Brisbane, with special guests聽Mardi Lumsden, Ofa Fanaika聽and Popproperly. Admission聽$12/$8 concession.