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 — from Palestine’s refugee camps and Egypt’s Tahrir Square to the Occupy movements — the lyrics are a fearless rally cry for action and solidarity.
Songs include “I left my Heart in Palestine” about love at a checkpoint, the sombre “Dark Tunnels” against the siege of Gaza, and the title track “Ghosts of Deir Yassin” — a statement of hope on the Palestinian right of return.
A video clip for “Ghosts of Deir Yassin”, 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 Phil Monsour Band will celebrate the release of Ghosts of Deir Yassin on Saturday April 21 at 7.30pm in the Souths Leagues Club, Davies Park, Jane St, West End, Brisbane, with special guests Mardi Lumsden, Ofa Fanaika and Popproperly. Admission $12/$8 concession.