The brainchild of Orkney-born musician Merlyn Driver, ‘Simmerdim: Curlew Sounds’ is a multi-artist album inspired by the Eurasian curlew. Such celebrations inspire us to protect what we have, writes Karen Lloyd.

“Like the call of the curlew itself, this music connects, transports, mourns and above all, invites us to celebrate what we have”

Cellist Abel Selaocoe, Art & History, Curlews In Music

“The calls of curlews are memorable, mysterious, and musical. They have appeared in music and poetry over the ages, and they continue to fascinate artists. Simmerdim: Curlew Sounds is an unusual new album - two CDs, one of music inspired by curlews, the other a series of soundscapes capturing their calls, recorded in places where these threatened birds are still to be found. The musician Merlyn Driver, whose idea Simmerdim was, explains his compulsion to make the records”.

Wild Folk

Guest Merlyn Driver talks about Simmerdim: Curlew Sounds, his evocative album that celebrates the endangered curlew, its habitats and its extraordinary calls.

Presented by Mark Radcliffe

Folk album of the month

“A beautiful two-album set”

Singing hymns at heaven’s gate: Musicians offer songs back to the birds

“It is worth trying to focus individually on the plants and wildlife we are endangering - to do them, at last, the courtesy of paying attention … the music interacts with the birds, but leaves them the last word”

Simmerdim: Curlew Sounds
“Merlyn Driver hymns the bird’s song in a resonant baritone, Cosmo Sheldrake recreates it electronically, The Unthanks soar. But the real stars are on disc two’s field recordings”
★★★★

Simmerdim: Curlew Sounds

“The curlew has long provided inspiration for poetry, art and music… Merlyn Driver has spearheaded a project to bring to their songs to life once more”

A sublime compilation in aid of the Eurasian curlew

”Teaming up with the RSPB, Driver recruited an eclectic mix of players from the UK and other countries in the curlew’s migration path to put together this exceptional charity compilation.”
★★★★★

Merlyn's Curlews

Musician and producer, Merlyn Driver gathered musicians including The Unthanks and Talvin Sigh to do a little sonic PR for the endangered Eurasian Curlew.

Around Midnight

Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between. Featuring music and soundscapes from ‘Simmerdim: Curlew Sounds’.

Merlyn Driver and the RSPB release a majestic compilation to support one of the UK’s most iconic and endangered birds

“A brilliant ensemble of atmospheric and ethereal compositions, some emulating, some including the curlew's characteristic 'curi-li' call, as well as some actual field recordings captured by Merlyn Driver across the UK”

New Release: Simmerdim – Curlew Sounds

”A unique double album, multi-artist project of newly-commissioned works and soundscapes, inspired by one of the UK’s most iconic and endangered birds, the Eurasian curlew”.

Forthcoming album release to help save Eurasian Curlew

”Love for one of the UK's most evocative but endangered birds, Eurasian Curlew, has inspired a range of musicians to come together and make an album celebrating the species and in turn support the RSPB's work to save them.”

Julie Fowlis with a Dawn Chorus Special

Birds have long been a source of inspiration for songwriters and tunesmiths, from their calls and how they fly, to the legends and lore they've inspired. In this Dawn Chorus Day special, Julie Fowlis dives into some of the best avian themed music the world of folk has to offer.

The Eurasian curlew is threatened with extinction in the UK and Ireland.

”To help these iconic birds fight back, a group of leading musicians - including David Gray, Talvin Singh, and The Unthanks - have recorded a stunning new album.”

Crashing waves and curlew calls

Escape with Elizabeth Alker for an hour of music that defies classification, from meditative reflections on the Pacific Ocean to music inspired by the calls of curlews in Orkney.

Presented by Elisabeth Alker