By Cara Sulieman
THE Scottish band who penned a dedicated funeral album are to have their sombre songs played to grieving households across the country – from musical urns.
Bruce Birrell and Juliet Nisbet – who make up band Spirit of Love – have struck a deal with Global Photo Plaques to have their music piped out of memorial ceramic books.
The book-shaped urns – costing £139 each – will belt out tunes from the duo’s ‘The Journey’s Over’ album at the press of the button.
With capacity for up to five minutes worth of music, they feature a photo on one page and verse on the other.
“Wonderful letters”
Kevin Ball, from Global Photo Plaques, said that the music was perfect for their new product.
He said: “We had made these porcelain books for a while and thought it would be nice to put the musical aspect in to it.
“We thought it would be nice to add the music that Bruce and Juliet made as an option for customers. The music that they do is appropriate to the product.
“We’ve had some really wonderful letters since we launched this product, people are finding them very comforting to have in the house.”
Spirit of Love released their 14-track album last month and Bruce and Juliet said they have had a fantastic response.
“Brilliant”
Juliet, 47, said: “We are so pleased that our music will be a choice for people on this website. The plaques look very nice and I think that our music will go with them very well.
“That they have asked us to be featured on their website means that people like our music.
“When I wrote The Journey’s Over I didn’t know that it was the first original funeral CD in the world.
“The response we’ve had from people has been brilliant.
“Aled Jones has listened to the album and sent us a very lovely letter saying how much he enjoyed it.”
Sixty-one year old Bruce explained that the pair didn’t set out to make a morbid album, it was what came out of their writing.
“Romance”
He 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.
“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.”
Juliet plays the guitar and violin and composed the tunes, whilst Bruce wrote some of the lyrics.
The pair are targeting undertakers, crematoria, solicitors, hospitals and church groups in their marketing campaign.
“Great comfort”
A request from Premier Christian Radio in London for a copy has made them think the album has potential to make it big in America’s ‘Bible Belt’.
Nurse Juliet, 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.”
The duo have tested some of the tunes during their gigs at nursing homes, day care centres and hospitals, where they play as The Baseliner.
Bruce, from Dalkeith, said: “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.”
