This year’s visit of Scotland continues north. Along a tiny beat up single track road across land we join the round tour of Eribol and its majestic scenery. Soon enough arriving in Durness, the sky heavy and textured, i settle into the place sitting on top of the hill by the bunkhouse. My meditation is sprinkled with a few drops while waiting for the right time to set off. By the time I get to Smoo, it is raining heavily and the amount of water that has fallen this season is reflected in the flow of the cascade in the next chamber. I am surprised by the deafening roar of the waterfall coming through into the main part of the cave and concerned it will take most of the sound away. Still, Smoo cave never disappoints and its cathedral like reverberation shines through the sound of crashing water.
There is a very different vibe here than last time i visited. It is certainly more intense and while i am playing one of the long pieces, i can hear the water fall becoming more present and my playing reflects the chaotic flow. There is still that sweet spot when i stand with my feet right in the little brook in the middle of the cave, that inspires gentle sounds, but overall, this session is flowing stronger as i have to compete with the loudness of the water.
On the second day, i return at dusk for another recording and there are still a few visitors wandering in and out even though the light is rapidly dropping. I take a few videos that turned out to be mostly a play of shadows (these can be found on vimeo). The dampness hanging in the air makes it more difficult for the saxophone, but i still enjoy playing this amazing space. Among the visits, a couple with an infant who seems to be very alert and interested by the music. As evening falls, the cave gets quieter and i play on for a while reminiscing of a day walking miles to a sandy bay and returning in heavy rain. That night was clear though, and camping on the very coast with the tent facing the great big north was quite something.
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sitting on a hill
alto saxophone, 24 august 2017
smoo cave, scotland
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alternance 1
alto saxophone, 24 august 2017
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unyielding
alto saxophone, 24 august 2017
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turning point
alto saxophone, 24 august 2017
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as many atoms cascading
alto saxophone, 24 august 2017
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plato’s play of shadows
alto saxophone, 24 august 2017
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eddies and rocks
alto saxophone, 25 august 2017
smoo cave, scotland
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short turnover
alto saxophone, 25 august 2017
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as many stars spinning
alto saxophone, 25 august 2017
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rain dramatic
alto saxophone, 25 august 2017
smoo cave, scotland
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nexttime studio 