Walter Parks Swamp by Chandelier - Spirituals Reimagined

Walter Parks is an American original and a study in contrasts. Appearing in his one-man show, Swamp by Chandelier – Spirituals Reimagined the Jacksonville, Florida native is dedicated to giving voice to the music of north Florida and the Georgia swamps. In an interview several years ago, he spoke of why the music of the people who lived around the Okefenokee Swamp touched him, “The most interesting were swamp hollers. They’re melodic messages hunters would sing. They’re beautiful and there is almost a jazz and operatic quality.” In Spirituals Reimagined, Parks will present his own compositions of spirituals, hymns and worksongs that were the soundtrack to modern America as well as the songs that they have inspired. Great Gig in the Sky, a gospel song inspired by a Pink Floyd tune; Georgia Rice/Up From Under, a song about the trek of slaves south into Florida; the hymn How Great Thou Art; Freedom, an upbeat song Richie Havens improvised; Amazing Grace; and Way Down in the Hole, an upbeat version of the Tom Waits song that was the theme for the television series, The Wire. It is an eclectic mix, to be sure. 

Proudly presented by The Arts Council of Martin County and The Lyric Theatre.