91.9 WFPK has released the latest CitySong music video featuring Kentucky-born cellist and composer Ben Sollee at Churchill Downs. In this episode, Sollee debuts a brand new song, "The Shade of Spires," he wrote specifically for CitySong celebrating the rich history of the iconic Kentucky landmark. He was filmed on the First Turn platform with the iconic Twin Spires behind him.The monthly CitySong video series features Louisville musicians at a place of meaning for them in the city.
[embed]https://youtu.be/y889C_Hh72M[/embed]
"Whether I'm playing shows in Karnataka or Kansas folks tend to know at least a few things about Kentucky: fried chicken, bourbon and horse racing. In particular, people ask me about the Kentucky Derby. They've seen the race on TV and recognize the spires of Churchill Downs as a symbol of the state. So, when WFPK asked me to record a CitySong it was the first place that came to mind.
"My song, "The Shade of Spires," was written at Churchill Downs as we were setting up to film. It's a simple song but sitting by the first turn of the track, watching the sun turn the shadows of the spires like a clock I thought of the history of the place. I thought of triumphs of athleticism and transcending stories of silks over skin color. I thought of challenges we still need to overcome. And the words just came," said Sollee.
Previous CitySong videos have included:
Cher Von at Cherokee Park
Scott Carney (Wax Fang) at the Kentucky Science Center
Justin Lewis at Iroquois Amphitheater
“CitySong highlights musicians right here in our community. It’s our love letter to the place we call home,” said WFPK Program Director and CitySong Executive Producer Stacy Owen.
