Varosha, Eva’s Story By Steve Sheppard ft. Chrissie Sheppard

 

Varosha, Eva’s Story

By

Steve Sheppard ft. Chrissie Sheppard

Review written by

Andy Rogers

 

Steve Sheppard is a busy man it seems! Not only does he present shows, write reviews (and more) for One World Music Radio he is increasingly becoming known as a musician who is clearly not content to rest on his laurels: Hot on the heels of his highly acclaimed recent album Mansuria, Planet of the Gods (a collaboration with David De Michel released a couple of months ago) he has now found time and inspiration to record and release this remarkable new single, Varosha, Eva’s Story , this time with the very able assistance of his wife, Chrissie Sheppard.

This new single is inspired by, and dedicated to, Eva Voss, a lady they met in Famagusta in the North of Cyprus. She shared her story with them: about the invasion that lead to Cyprus being divided when she was a small child. Amongst other things she told them how she had to leave her home and hide in the trees just to survive, this so moved Steve and Chrissie that upon returning home they wanted to record this single as a thank you and tribute to this brave lady. 

As with his previous release, Steve has taken the opportunity to take his music in another new direction. This latest single is made up of several parts or sections – almost in fact a kind of New-Age tone poem, very descriptive not only in the music and how it is played, but also by the use of some very atmospheric sounds as collated by Chrissie.

Varosha, Eva’s Story starts with the sound of children playing happily in the street while a gentle reflective tune plays on what is possibly a bouzouki or mandolin… Suddenly this bucolic scene is shattered by the sound of gunfire as the music takes a dramatic and disturbing turn. The peace is shattered and the music takes on a much darker edge. It is clear the air is full of tension and fear. Suddenly, the music picks up pace: in my mind I see frightened villagers running for cover and the safety of the trees. Eventually the music starts to resume its previous calm … the children’s voices are heard again but are they really there or is this a memory of how things were before the invasion? At the end, the reflective tune we heard at the start returns to conclude the piece and bring things full circle.

Varosha, Eva’s Story is yet another fine single from Steve Sheppard: a piece of music that shows that there is a lot more to come from Steve as he continues to evolve and grow as a musician.