How life on the NHS front line inspired a star-studded new album

A new album celebrating frontline workers and documenting a poignant moment in time is being released next month.

Curated by Chris Difford of Squeeze, the Song Club album features a stellar line-up of talent and is inspired by the work of NHS nurse Hannah Grace Deller.

In addition to being a paediatric matron Hannah is a talented photographer who, throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, has been documenting her and her colleagues’ experiences.

When Hannah’s photographic work was featured on the Channel 4 programme Grayson’s Art Club, it grabbed the attention of Difford, the Grammy nominated and double Ivor Novello Award-winning lyricist.

Nurse Funmike and Phoebe working together on the nightshift on Covid positive ward (photo: Hannah Grace Deller)Nurse Funmike and Phoebe working together on the nightshift on Covid positive ward (photo: Hannah Grace Deller)
Nurse Funmike and Phoebe working together on the nightshift on Covid positive ward (photo: Hannah Grace Deller)

Difford said: “Lockdown provided some great TV moments and this was one of them. Inspired by her work, I asked all of my co-writing chums to use her photographs as inspiration for songwriting. Together we have created a body of work to raise funds for the frontline workers – it has been so inspiring to hear the results.

"My aim is to document this strange time we are living in and I hope bring inspiring songs to the ears of many.”

Difford’s co-writing friends are a host of world-class, award-winning songwriters – including Nick Heyward, Graham Gouldman, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Mark Nevin, Julia Fordham, Robert Vincent, Judie Tzuke, Kimmie Rhodes, Judith Owen and Kathryn Williams.

Hannah said: “I hope that the voices of all the unsung heroes, their efforts and sacrifices are heard in this music. For me this record is a thank you to all my colleagues on the frontline, from the porters and domestics, to the doctors and nurses – I’ll never forget how we all stood side-by-side on the frontline fighting this illness together.”

Working on the Frontline, the first single from the album, is available now, performed by the Bafta-nominated actor and singer Jessie Buckley.

Visit https://slinky.to/SongClub for more information about the album, which is released on October 23.Photos: Hannah Grace Deller

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