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SIBL PROJECT RELEASES "SONGS INSPIRED BY LITERATURE"
CD To Raise Awareness for Literacy features Bruce Springsteen, Grace Slick, Suzanne Vega, Aimee Mann, Ray Manzarek & others
The SIBL Project, the San Francisco non-profit organization that promotes reading and adult literacy through music inspired by literature, announced the release of its first benefit CD, "Songs Inspired by Literature", Chapter One. The CD features tracks written and performed by sixteen artists, known and unknown, including Bruce Springsteen, Aimee Mann, Suzanne Vega, Grace Slick and Ray Manzarek. The additional singer/songwriters were selected among a group of 357 submissions, as winners of SIBL's international songwriting competition.Each of the songs was inspired by a book, poem or play. Funds raised will directly benefit literacy projects that do outreach to over 44 million American adults who can't read above the 5th grade level. "Songs Inspired by Literature" is available for purchase online, at independent bookstores nationwide (www.booksense.com); and at public libraries beginning March 1, 2002. Retail Price: $15.
The SIBL Project is the brainchild of San Francisco singer/songwriter Deborah Pardes, whose inspiration for this venture came about through a personal experience. In December 1999 Pardes wrote a song called "7th Step," which was inspired by Frank McCourt's memoir Angela's Ashes. When Pardes appeared on a live radio program discussing the song and its inspiration, she was surprised by the number of listeners who called into the radio station wanting to learn more about the book.
"It suddenly occurred to me," said Pardes, "that by hearing a song, a person might be motivated to read a book. This was very exciting so I began to research the facts about adult literacy. When I discovered just how many people struggle with the ability to read, I decided to put my music experience to good use. Musicians had championed world problems from issues of hunger to homelessness. Literacy needed the magic of song too."
Pardes thus embarked on a two-year journey researching literacy organizations and programs while she created the framework for her new project. "I learned that people who can't read feel profound isolation," commented Pardes recently. "I felt that literacy needed a movement to rally public support for these people to let them know that there's free help in nearly every city."
In 2000, Pardes launched The SIBL Project, a non-profit organization designed to promote literacy by connecting musicians and authors through a series of songwriting contests, CD releases and events to raise awareness for the cause. Initial funding was provided by the California State Library system in recognition of the potential of this innovative way to promote reading. The net proceeds of The SIBL Project will directly benefit adult and family literacy programs in different regions around the country.
The 16 song benefit CD "Songs Inspired by Literature" is a mix of folksongs, art songs and pop songs, each inspired by books or poems. In addition to the handful of known artists who have granted rights to their recordings, the project features the winners of a songwriting competition launched by The SIBL Project in May 2001. These include many Bay Area songwriters like Jill Tracy, the Grand Prize Winner of the competition ($2500 prize) whose track "Evil Night Together" (inspired by Luc Sante's Low Life) is the first track on the CD.
Other featured artists who have graciously donated their talent include Justin Wells from Larkspur, San Francisco singer, Essence, The SIBL Project founder Deborah Pardes, and New York-based Bob Hillman who is currently opening for Suzanne Vega.