Nathaniel Dye - Matters Of Life And Death (2024) Hi-Res

Just three years ago Nathaniel Dye was living happily as a music teacher and brass band conductor. Then Dye got diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. This diagnosis led to Nathaniel making a bucket list including ultra-marathons and raising awareness of cancer symptoms which Dye has received an MBE for. Another item is this LP, partly for self-therapy and to document stage-four cancer living.

Matters of life and death opens with ‘Public Service Announcement‘ with sombre, unnerving deep piano chords which unexpectedly jump into an upbeat musical medley which raises awareness humorously. The sophomore, “Some Fine Day” espouses raw emotion, not just for those in Dye’s predicament, but for all, with the words “to live and not just be” amidst a piano soundscape reminiscent of Rufus Wainwright’s interpretation of ‘Hallelujah‘.

Matters of Life and Death offers a micro perspective across ‘My Graph‘, ‘Inspiration‘ and ‘I’m Still Here‘. ‘My Graph‘ with sombre piano accompaniment gives an honest and accurate account of chemotherapy’s impact amidst a deteriorating prognosis. ‘Inspiration‘ builds upon ‘Some Fine Day‘ of the need to not settle for mediocrity despite the changing circumstances that make merely settling for mediocrity increasingly challenging. ‘I’m Still Here‘ is especially intelligent for it shows Dye, who could have solely made this LP an introspective project, how he views his condition through others. As a teacher, musician and conductor, Nat has always lived an inspiring life acknowledging that It’s not inspiring just to say I’m respiring’ and is still determined to not just continue inspiring, but to entertain too.

From songs of inspiration comes songs of humour. The wittiest is ‘Homer the Stoma‘ which not only introduces Homer, Nathaniel’s stoma, but Nathaniel playing the trombone. Dye looks positively on his humanised stoma as both a friend and a superhero enabling Nathaniel to continue to live a full, interesting and inspiring life. Dye also takes a swipe at several international politicians and less informed newspaper readers who have linked Dye’s vegan diet to his diagnosis.

Nathaniel also draws inspiration form the classic nineteenth century sea shanty ‘Drunken Sailor‘ renamed ‘What Do You Do‘, which with Nat’s diagnosis is “with one to five years“. Nathaniel celebrates his completed marathons, conquered mountains and every time he picked a food item, usually custard creams, and successfully challenged himself to still be around after the food item has passed its expiry date. Matters of Life and Death also offers heartfelt acapella contributions and a six minute anthem, “Not a Love Song”.

Matters of Life and Death is not the album Nat wanted to make. He certainly didn’t wish to be in the position where he would be inspired and equipped with the know-how to create this LP. Its theme is not one many listeners naturally seek out. Nonetheless, it’s worth doing so. Not so much to empathise with Dye and those diagnosed with stage four cancer, but to learn an important life lesson on how to be fulfilled irrespective of one’s circumstances. Through this album Nathaniel has indirectly been inspired by Bukowski showing listeners how to live a life “so well that death will tremble to take us.”