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The release of his single was inspired by Jim’s
recent book, "She Walks in Beauty," written with esteemed Rock journalist,
Dave Thompson. “My last book, ‘Nobody Told Me’, was the
story of the best days of my life, and a musical career that took me from a
holiday camp in the English west country to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland”
Jim explained. “This book, on the other hand, begins on the very worst
day of my life, June 7, 2020— with the death of my wife Elisabeth. Lizzie.”
Thus, the song ‘Breath of the Wind’ inevitably
picks up the theme of his book and reflects on the spiritual connection Jim still
feels with Lizzie, driven by his life-long fascination in the paranormal and
especially “the shadows that are just out of sight and the certainty that
there is an enduring connection between the living and the dead” and reflected
on at length in his book.
Not included on his recent Demon Music Group reissue
of his album ‘Walking In The Wild Land’, ‘Breath of the Wind’’ was originally recorded with his
friend Kennet in France (where Jim has lived for many years), as Jim explained:
“It was just acoustic guitar and vocals. I sent it to Hugh Syme, the
designer & musician famous for his Rush album covers) and after
maybe a year he came back with the arrangement, that consists of nylon string
guitar, violin, Armenian duduk, bamboo flute, synth and strings. Also, a boys
choir arrangement. I’ve no idea which instruments are “real”, but I love
working with Hugh – who also did the arrangement for ‘Changing Times’ on ‘Walking
in the Wild Land.’”
“Breath of the Wind” perhaps shines a more intimate
light than many might expect from the man responsible for helping write so many
iconic songs in The Yardbirds’ catalogue, but it is a poignant love letter - honest
and thoughtful as the man himself has always been.
There is real beauty to be found in “Breath of
the Wind”
(With Thanks to Hugh Syme and Dave Thompson)
Lyrics
Here she comes on the
breath of the wind
She’s sending me a
different sound
Riding along on the
butterfly wing
She’s telling me she’s
still around
The more I really can
perceive
The more she’s there the
more she shares
And now I really do
believe
She’s free of cares,
she’s everywhere
Here she comes on the
breath of the wind
She’s calling me to make
a leap
Riding along on the
butterfly wing
I need to wake up from
my sleep
C 2023 Music and Lyrics by Jim McCarty, PRS
