Kate Bush Gets Permission to Use James Joyce's Words on New Album

Posted on Apr 6th 2011 1:00PM by Chris Mugan
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Kate Bush has been given permission to use an extract from James Joyce's 'Ulysses' on forthcoming album 'Director's Cut' -- 20 years after she first asked.

Rather than put out new material, the reclusive solo artist has reworked tracks from two previous records -- 1989's 'The Sensual World' and 1993's 'The Red Shoes'.

All have new lead vocals, new drums and reworked instrumentation, Bush has revealed to The Guardian. "For some time I have felt that I wanted to revisit tracks from these two albums and that they could benefit from having new life breathed into them," she said. "Now these songs have another layer of work woven into their fabric."

Three songs have been completely re-recorded, including 'The Sensual World'. It has been renamed 'Flower of the Mountain' with its original lyrics replaced by a passage from Joyce's modernist classic. "Originally when I wrote the song 'The Sensual World' I had used text from the end of 'Ulysses,'" Bush said. "When I asked for permission to use the text I was refused, which was disappointing.

"I then wrote my own lyrics for the song, although I felt that the original idea had been more interesting. Well, I'm not James Joyce am I? When I came to work on this project I thought I would ask for permission again and this time they said yes ... I am delighted that I have had the chance to fulfill the original concept."

'Director's Cut' is out May 16 on Fish People/EMI, preceded by the single 'Deeper Understanding'. A video is set to for release directed by Bush that features her son Albert, Robbie Coltrane, Frances Barber and Noel Fielding, fresh from his 'Wuthering Heights' performance for 'Let's Dance for Comic Relief.' You can hear the song below.

Kate Bush -- 'Deeper Understanding'