fRoots Album Review!!

The summer edition of fROOTS is out and includes a great review from David Kidman of ‘Provenance’ thoughtfully contrasted with Briony Griffiths’ new album ‘Hover’.

Summing up David says…

“Any listener picking up this album in search of traditional-styled fiddle playing will have their expectations confounded – but in a thoroughly stimulating way.”

Thanks to David and all at fROOTS, it’s really appreciated.

Please read the full review, from the pdf link at the bottom of this post, or better still consider purchasing a copy of the fROOTS magazine.

Worldwide pre-orders of ‘Provenance’ are available online from my shop page, via PayPal or by credit or debit card payment secured by PayPal.

For a larger image; view it as pdf by clicking on the link below.

fR421 REVIEWS PAGES 112-113

Return to Helsinki

The latest samples of ‘Provenance’ are up on SoundCloud featuring the mighty Sam Partridge on Bassoon.

More exciting news – I’ve been accepted on the Folk masters programme at Sibelius Academy, Finland, where I can’t wait to continue my studies, after having a wonderful time there on Erasmus 2016-2017!

I’ve been enjoying the last couple of days at Emma Bridgewater Factory for Festival in a Factory playing around the site and welcoming audiences to their seats before the speakers. As I’ve only just got back to North Staffordshire playing in a pottery factory seemed like an apt return gig.

They also generously gave me my own personalised mug!

Pre-orders Available!

My Final Concert on Thursday 31st May concluded my studies at Newcastle University. The performance went swimmingly all thanks to my wonderful friends, Hannah Lord, Niles Krieger, & Sam Partridge for playing so well and my supportive tutor Peter Tickell helping me put together and prepare for a recital I’m really proud of.

To celebrate, I’ve made physical copies of my debut album ‘Provenance’ available for pre-order and have started uploading samples weekly to my SoundCloud in the run up to the 6th July, when the album will be released.

Those who made it along to Hexham Gathering and/or The Sage on Thursday may recognise the first track, Hole in the Ceiling.

The album in CD format is priced at £12 with free UK postage and payment using PayPal, including credit or debit card payment for non-members, via PayPal’s secure payment link below. No purchases will be accepted for delivery outside the UK, without first messaging me and us agreeing an additional cost.




The Great Escape

Today I write from St Pancras Station, you see yesterday I had the pleasure of listening to Sámi musician Hildá Länsman and Helsinki-based sound designer and music man Tuomas Norvio. It was wonderful and I’m now full of fresh ideas!

In other news, ‘Provenance’, although not yet released, is doing great, being played regularly on Genevieve Tudor’s Sunday Folk as well as Moorlands Radio and fRoots Radio; I feel very lucky for my music to be appreciated and shared.

You can also read the first review of ‘Provenance’ by clicking on folking.com. Another is also in the works at fRoots magazine.

Starting next week I’m going to release short samples of each track from the album every Friday, until the release date of July 6th. So keep your eyes peeled if you’d like to hear it pre-release snippets.

On Saturday 26th, 12:10, I’ll be playing on the bandstand at Hexham Gathering with Hannah Lord and on Wednesday 31st May, 19:00, I have my final recital at the Sage Hall 2, both are free and the more there the merrier. The recital at the Sage is ticketed so to avoid disappointment I recommend getting your free ticket from here in advance.

Also, here’s a bit of a mazurka I’ll be playing in my recital next Wednesday, composed by Edward Elgar: featuring Niles Krieger & Sam Partridge.

A post shared by Niles Krieger (@nilescott92) on

Byker Hill & Soon to Store

Well since my last blog, back in September, I’ve continued playing sessions and gigging in and around Newcastle with Chester and The Fog and subbed with The Cajun Specials at Yorkshire Cajun & Zydeco Music & Dance Festival and The Kentucky Cow Tippers at a wonderful wedding in Otterburn. I also played a bit of fiddle on Jez Lowe’s rendition of ‘Byker Hill’ for his new album ‘The Dillen Doll’, which accompanies his novel of the same name.

The most exciting news for me though is the completion of my debut album Provenance. I’m elated by the results and all is ready for official release on Friday 6 July 2018! More details are available on the page Provenance plus here are some photos of the first CD opened.

 

Provenance CD Cover & Booklet

 

Back on the Toon

Since the last post I’ve had some great gigs in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire with ‘The Hot Club of Fenham’ at Aberjazz Festival and a couple supporting Pete Morton and Allan Taylor at my local folk club, Folk at the Foxlowe.

I’m also back playing with one of my favourite bands Chester & the Fog and after having a wonderful gig at The Ship Inn, Low Newton we are starting a bluegrass concert and jam night at Bar Loco, Newcastle. This will take place on first Thursday of every month; the first couple will be on 2nd November and 7th December.

Today I’m joining, Newcastle Fiddler, Tom McConville for songs and tunes at a Charity Concert in Aid of the Lisieux Trust at Alstonfield Village Hall.

‘Provenance’ is still coming along grand, with everything recorded now bar a few fiddle and vocal tracks. This time in the studio featured Coral Reid on Oboe and more Will Hammond on the vibraphone. Release is now set to be late October/early November.

Here’s a clip I took of Ian Stephenson recording his part on the first track of the album.

Here’s a snap Ian Stephenson took of myself and Will Hammond in the studio at Thropton.

Halfway through recording ‘Provenance’

We’re now just over halfway through the recording process of my debut album ‘Provenance’ and so, being too excited to wait for any editing/mixing to be done, here’s some snippets:

The album is being recorded and produced by Ian Stephenson at Simpson Street Studios‘ Northumberland complex in Thropton. It’s been greatly enjoyable; the guest musicians have been fantastic and hearing the music come to life makes all the work put into writing the scores feel completely worth it.

So far on the recordings you can hear:

Concertina: Alex Wade
Vibraphone: Will Hammond
Guitar: Ian Stephenson
‘Cello: Mark Carroll
Bassoon: Sam Partridge
Myself: 5-String Fiddle

A Hat Trick of Unique Gigs

[Re-uploaded since updating page]

Today (9th July), marks the third peculiar but delightful performance venue in a row, the previous being a ‘Worm Charming Festival with ‘Pig Man’, and a military base with ‘The Kentucky Cow Tippers’.

A performance with ‘Brennan & Buchanan’ at Stafford Castle was the latest venture, which proved to be great fun. It feels a long time ago when I recorded as a session musician on their album ‘The Bird and the Rose’ and it was delightful to perform their songs live to a welcoming and receptive audience.

I’m now looking forward to even more interesting venues and bands to sub and guest with!

https://brennanandbuchanan.bandcamp.com/releases
http://www.thekentuckycowtippers.com/
https://www.facebook.com/PurcyFlaherty2017/

photo: Stafford Castle