Suzzy Roche – Press Release for “Songs from an Unmarried Housewife and Mother, Greenwich Village, USA”

“Maggie had it written on her calendar ... the original release date for this collection of prayers ... September 11. It had been pushed back several times before any of us knew what would actually happen on that day. That morning while walking my dog I had no idea when I turned the corner onto 9th Avenue I would watch in horror as planes purposely crashed into the World Trade Center. The sadness that engulfed New York City is too hard to describe. I found myself writing my own prayer and humbly adding it to this collection. When we began our search for prayers, I wasn't sure what we were doing. Now I understand. Something real about compassion, kindness and tolerance. This is one of those rare projects that comes along and defies categorization.” - From the liner notes by Suzzy Roche

Zero Church is musically beautiful, unpretentiously spiritual and completely original. Although recorded prior to September 11, 2001, like much of this world it was changed by those agonizing events. Final production for the CD was halted in order that a beautiful new song that Suzzy & Maggie had written and performed for the families of the firemen could be added to its program. Its healing message has only taken on more meaning and more profundity.

Since 1979, The Roches (sisters Suzzy, Maggie & Terre) have blended every possible genre from a capella Handel and barbershop harmonies to country, folk and rock into a music marked by its refreshing honesty, wit, eccentricity and humor.

This extraordinary recording (the debut of Maggie and Suzzy performing as a duo) was inspired while attending playwright Anna Deavere Smith's “Institute on the Arts and Civic Dialogue” at Harvard University (a seminar where artists go to develop civic minded projects within community). Suzzy's & Maggie's project was to ask people to share a prayer with them so that they could set it to music. Some of the prayers they received were original and some were traditional. Many were not true prayers at all, but rather meditations or writings that had given comfort. As the songs took form, it was soon apparent that something very special was coming into being. With this beautiful CD we can hear for ourselves.

Exquisitely produced by Stewart Lerman, it features guest appearances by others who attended the institute, including Esaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock as well as siblings David and Terre Roche. As the title might suggest, Zero Church espouses no particular doctrine or dogma, and draws its message from various faiths and walks of life. The actual origin of the title, however, comes from the intriguing address where the institute took place. . . 0 Church Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts.