sounding out returns to the lakes

 
 

sounding out is feeling a little rusty. don’t worry, cobwebs are not gathering on the keys, and my sax gets plenty of practice. but i have not been listening to the call of the wild as much. so it is such a pleasure to revisit places of greatness. those two caves are amongst my favourite spaces to resonate. both have a very unique and different atmosphere. a few seconds in rydal cave, and the constant dripping takes you into a different world. however, today has many distractions and people come in and out througout the session.

some nice encounters and cool conversations, but i am used to a more intimate connection to the space itself. normally, i only play to birds, and possibly maybe the spirit of the rock… or to quote some of my musical influences, ‘i talk to the wind’ and ‘the trees are all agreed’. the intention is not to create a spectacle for visitors, however, it’s nice to make someone’s day, and the smile of wonder as kids wave goodbye is kinda cool.

i may not be totally in the zone, but very excited to play this place. and i hope you can hear it…

 
 
 

 

wind in the reeds
alto saxophone, 13 april 2024
rydal cave

 

 

shapes in the shadows
alto saxophone, 13 april 2024
rydal cave

 

 
 
 

 
 

in contrast, cathedral cave is all stillness and suspension. but here too, groups of people visit the site until late. by then, it gets cold and tired, and the saxophone feels it. i still manage to get a good stretch out of this session. some abstract passages offer a nice relief but most of my playing is quite harmonic this time. i feel i’d like it to be more adventurous, but i do not choose what the space inspires. still, i think that the symmetrical shapes which have been my main focus give an interesting colour to my melodies. it is good to realise that what i have been practicing is gradually feeding into my playing, without having to think about it. you dig?

 
 
 

 

taking steps
alto saxophone, 14 april 2024
cathedral cave

 

 

peaceful at the top
alto saxophone, 14 april 2024
cathedral cave

 

 

down the cloughs and the hollows
alto saxophone, 14 april 2024
cathedral cave

 

 

slow drift
alto saxophone, 14 april 2024
cathedral cave

 

 

the ragged edge
alto saxophone, 14 april 2024
cathedral cave

 

 

mirrors
alto saxophone, 14 april 2024
cathedral cave

 

 

avalanche
alto saxophone, 14 april 2024
cathedral cave

 
 
 

Sounding Out Thor’s Cave 2023

no need for words. the space speaks for itself through the saxophone. every visit has a different vibe. such an inspiration. enjoy…

 

 

call of the wild
alto saxophone, 09 august 2023
thor’s cave

 

 

underground torrent
alto saxophone, 09 august 2023
thor’s cave

 

 

the sun sets in silence
alto saxophone, 09 august 2023
thor’s cave

 

 

sinuous
alto saxophone, 09 august 2023
thor’s cave

 

 

the last curtain
alto saxophone, 09 august 2023
thor’s cave

 

Sounding Out Thor’s Cave 2022

Such a pleasure to return to this very inspiring location, full of character and fire. There are many distractions and flow is sometimes difficult… One has to be mindful of their steps… it is a long slide down. Birds always join in. Visitors come for a chat. Great times.

It is usually quite late when the space opens, and i end up recording as the light goes down. i’ve always found that the energy is quite mixed, and playing here is an interesting challenge. But this can be rewarding too to find inspiration and flow when it is not as obvious and giving as in other locations. Simple ideas seem to be a thread, and i enjoy the minimal motifs that come out of the improvisations, leaving space for textural connections and more busy runs. The moods also clash – at times gentle, but more often, there is a full-on explosion of sound and it feels like the fingers barely keep up. This place is raw. And i like it.

step up
alto saxophone, 14 may 2022
thor’s cave

   

indecision
alto saxophone, 14 may 2022
thor’s cave

   

colour clash
alto saxophone, 14 may 2022
thor’s cave

   

bird view
alto saxophone, 14 may 2022
thor’s cave

   

 

two paths
alto saxophone, 15 may 2022
thor’s cave

   

ajna – the tao of three
alto saxophone, 15 may 2022
thor’s cave

   

sounding out scotland 2019 pt 2

 

The journey through Scotland continues along the west coast in a weather that reminds you how wild this place can get. The beautiful scenery can very rapidly become threatening and one feels much exposed.

I much awaited visiting this next location again. The church in Arisaig is such a wonderful space with grand acoustics. The weather has been beating the coast and i feel my general mood is not quite making the most of this incredible place. Time will tell, perhaps the music turns out better, but at the time i felt i was not quite in tune and the flow did not quite transport me. I decided to take a break and walk around the space. The mood turned when, at the back of the church i encountered a statue that reminded me of the figurehead of boats. The woman depicted here is guided by a star and seems to be raising the spirit through turbulent water. The thought had a profound effect on me and i felt the deep sadness of families that await as waves and wild weather beat the shore, expecting the boats that never returned. Those claimed by the sea have a hidden presence along this coast. I felt it all here, and the last piece i played, at the edge of tears, starts at the back of the church, slowly moving forward with each repetition of a gentle melodic motif, interspersed with waves and runs. This incredible experience came to a stop as the church bell ominously rang on the last long note of the piece. This was it. I had touched on the story of that place and sat in silence.

Another old favourite, on Applecross, this plain chapel is all wood and gentle resonance. Inside feels like a warm(ish) shelter from the wild elements out there. This recording was made in two sessions and the second take in the morning was cut short by rising waters that threatened to take over all exits. The drive over the pass was epic with incredibly powerful torrents forcing their way under bridges and overflowing banks. But before this, we barely made it through the tracks and the road that had turned into a lake.

So this session again is tainted by turmoil and turbulent water. And this chapel has a certain quality that encourages a free flowing explosion of energy. Inspired by the rain that did not quite fall as much as headbutt the ground and the beaten rocks, the music barges and sways, turns and thrashes through a whole range of moods. There is some redemption in the madness of the elements, but the suspension is short lived. Notes splatter and crash-splash percussively then power-flow forcefully, tortured with split tones and gnarling blows forced through the saxophone. A single bird soars its pretty song and we are straight back in the maelstrom.

This place simply never disappoints – it has always been a highlight of my sonic explorations. And the music feels freer, what this place inspires is just something else.

 

 

.
.
.

dusk falling on a calm sea
alto saxophone, 27 august 2019
st mary, arisaig

.
.
.
.

slow silver sky
alto saxophone, 27 august 2019
st mary, arisaig

.
.
.

as rain beats those ragged rocks
alto saxophone, 27 august 2019
st mary, arisaig

.
.
.

those of the sea
alto saxophone, 27 august 2019
st mary, arisaig

.
.
.

broody approach
alto saxophone, 29 august 2019
clachan church, applecross

.
.
.

maelrubha and the waves
alto saxophone, 29 august 2019
clachan church, applecross

.
.
.

all sails
alto saxophone, 29 august 2019
clachan church, applecross

.
.
.

hail all saints
alto saxophone, 29 august 2019
clachan church, applecross

.
.
.

maelrubha’s prayer
alto saxophone, 29 august 2019
clachan church, applecross

.
.
.

a steady rain pulsed through the night
alto saxophone, 29 august 2019
clachan church, applecross

.
.
.

sounding out scotland 2019

 

 

Sounding Out continues in summer 2019 visiting areas of Scotland. After a compulsory stop at Samye Ling, a much loved break in the trip for extended meditation and rituals, the journey continued through Dumfires and Galloway visiting areas unknown both by the sea and through forestry.

The odd explorations of stone towers with resonant cellars met my home made 2.4 shakuhachi, but the first significant experience of Sounding Out was in the artist town of Kirkcudbright where i found a small church hidden in the back streets. Its peaceful simplicity inspired a very melodic approach, gentle and elevated.

The pace picked up with the powerful energy of movement and change which i found in the area of Kilmartin. Walking along loch Awe was a wonderful experience of old pine forests and rushing water. Down in the valley, carved rocks mark an ancient spirituality and the church in the middle of the valley has retained some of the spirit. It is old and quite run down. Tourists ebb and flow, constantly drawing an energy of change and yet, there is something timeless here. In between visitors, the music flows freely to the bright resonance and spirals with the ancient art i have seen.

Moving now to the well loved scenery of the west coast, i return to Mallaig and find this lovely pink church open this time. I jump on the occasion and start playing to the background sounds of a steam train and children playing. This harbour town is simple but attractive. Well worth a visit just for the sense pleasure of freshly baked bread and a pizza lunch overlooking the water. The small chapel on the hill is similarly basic but very pretty. There is a playfulness here that inspires abstract extended techniques and angular harmonic flow. I move freely between modalities and mix sounds at times contemplative, at times firing fast.

 

.
.
.

pastel prose
alto saxophone, 21 august 2019
st cuthbert, kirkcudbright

.
.
.

in artist town
alto saxophone, 21 august 2019
st cuthbert, kirkcudbright

.
.
.

spirals and cups
alto saxophone, 24 august 2019
kilmartin church

.
.
.

amongst the peaks
alto saxophone, 24 august 2019
kilmartin church

.
.
.

dance of the moving wheels
alto saxophone, 24 august 2019
kilmartin church

.
.
.

a spot of pink on the cold hill
alto saxophone, 27 august 2019
st columba’s, mallaig

.
.
.

steam train
alto saxophone, 27 august 2019
st columba’s, mallaig

.
.
.

changing the scene
alto saxophone, 27 august 2019
st columba’s, mallaig

.
.
.

sounding out 2019

 

 

This new series is a selection of recordings from places i visited between spring and early summer 2019.

It all begins with the discovery of a tunnel with incredible acoustic properties. The slightest sound echoes against the walls and along the length of it – which is significant. This marks also the return of the old soprano which i have not used much lately because it is in a rather poor state. It is still fun to revisit my first love though, and even if the recordings are somewhat imperfect, they reflect the joy of meeting the instrument again. Recordings like East Witton and the majestic Newby are such.

This section is followed by a number of places in Northumberland, each with its own acoustics, its own mood and of course inspired very different musical adventures. There are some really significant moments here inspired by such places and also reflecting on my use of musical systems based around symmetry. Blanchland Abbey is a very interesting building, but i was also inspired by places where the architecture was not as stricking perhaps, but had a special feel all the same.

The third part finds two location in herefordshire where i stopped on the way to wales. Once again, this selection may not be the grand acoustics i have explored in the past, but present much interest and allow for a wider range of playing and atmospheres.

i hope you enjoy listening to these explorations. And the search continues.

.
.
.

watching ripples
soprano saxophone, 21 april 2019
thurgoland tunnel

.
.
.

the crane
2.4 shakuhachi, 21 april 2019
thurgoland tunnel

.
.
.

points, line and weave
soprano saxophone, 15 may 2019
east witton church

.
.
.

slight side entanglement
soprano saxophone, 15 may 2019
east witton church

.
.
.

do the pollock
soprano saxophone, 16 may 2019
newby church

.
.
.

steps into the wild
alto saxophone, 10 july 2019
st mary, barnard castle

.
.
.

deepening the search
alto saxophone, 10 july 2019
st mary, barnard castle

.
.
.

stone bridge
alto saxophone, 11 july 2019
blanchland abbey

.
.
.

birds over breeze
alto saxophone, 11 july 2019
blanchland abbey

.
.
.

leaves swirl
alto saxophone, 11 july 2019
blanchland abbey

.
.
.
.

sermoned by snakes
alto saxophone, 11 july 2019
holy cross church, haltwhistle

.
.
.

path of multiplicity
alto saxophone, 12 july 2019
st peter church, humshaugh

.
.
.

evening balm
alto saxophone, 12 july 2019
st peter church, humshaugh

.
.
.

étirement temporaire
alto saxophone, 12 july 2019
st peter church, humshaugh

.
.
.

into the ring
alto saxophone, 11 august 2019
st john the baptist, bishops castle

.
.
.

secret passage
alto saxophone, 11 august 2019
st john the baptist, bishops castle

.
.
.

brief advance
alto saxophone, 13 august 2019
st mary’s, kington

.
.
.

crossing steel
alto saxophone, 13 august 2019
st mary’s, kington

.
.
.

sounding out herefordshire 2019

 

during a visit into wales, which included working outside in a garden, digging soil and chopping wood, i had a break from activities and visited one of my favourite places in the area, dore abbey. i got to play in this wonderful space on two separate occasions and managed to get enough material in between visitors. the second day was quieter and i could get deeper into the vibe. i am very pleased to hear, when listening back, that my research is gradually merging into my playing. the harmonic work that supports the melodic narrative of my improvisations keeps getting more intricate and interesting while remaining accessible.

this post features a couple more locations, both visited on the same day. the spaces are similar sizes and yet the mood inspired music that is varied. in skenfrith, the faster flowing and brighter tone brought out angular playing. while garway seemed to inspire a contemporary sparseness and a gentler touch.

there is also a short interlude, in between the two recordings of dore abbey, on 2.4 shakuhachi in the welsh small church of st gastyn’s.

i hope you enjoy listening to the tracks in this post. more recordings in this series can be found under the category ‘sounding out’.

 

.
.
.

opening time
alto saxophone, 11 march 2019
dore abbey

.
.
.

in conversation with space
alto saxophone, 11 march 2019
dore abbey

.
.
.

vestiges of verticality
alto saxophone, 11 march 2019
dore abbey

.
.
.

duality
2.4 shakuhachi, 12 march 2019
st gastyn’s church, llangasty

.
.
.

venturing the windings
alto saxophone, 13 march 2019
dore abbey

.
.
.

golden vales
alto saxophone, 13 march 2019
dore abbey

.
.
.

a slow climb ahead
alto saxophone, 13 march 2019
dore abbey

.
.
.

suddenly it all makes sense
alto saxophone, 14 march 2019
st bridget’s church, skenfrith

.
.
.

surface tension
alto saxophone, 14 march 2019
st bridget’s church, skenfrith

.
.
.

coloured squares
alto saxophone, 14 march 2019
st bridget’s church, skenfrith

.
.
.

stratum
alto saxophone, 14 march 2019
st michael’s church, garway

.
.
.

multiphonos
alto saxophone, 14 march 2019
st michael’s church, garway

.
.
.

mechanisms invertum
alto saxophone, 14 march 2019
st michael’s church, garway

.
.
.

sounding out north yorkshire 2018

 

 

 

the last of 2018, sounding out is returning to north yorkshire. this time, focusing on the area to the west among the dales and waterfalls – and inspired by the high energy of this rocky landscape.

once again, i am delighted to present pieces that draw out the stories of such amazing places. of this short selection, i was particularly struck by the small and quiet village of clapham. the size of the church and its calm presence provided a perfect rest after a walk along the valley, in craggy cuts through the rocks. walking back above the tree lines, with a view over the valley, the surrounding landscape all saturated with the gorgeous colours of autumn.

clapham church was light and bright. at times bustling with people looking after the place, those preparing for parties and other visitors. i found some quiet time too – to reflect, and some to venture tones and resonate the space. ecstatic, grand and a feel of infinity, powerful as waterfalls and quiet as the forest – is the feeling of this place.

moving east, i returned to pateley bridge where i’d stopped in the past for a place to meditate. i’d really wanted to return and take the time to play in this wonderful acoustics. this time was just right. as i stepped in, the sweet smell of incense welcomed me in a place that was totally peaceful. no need for further invitation, the welcome was clear and i immediately sank into that place of stillness where the music flows.

 

.
.
.

above the trees
alto saxophone, 21 october 2018
st cuthbert’s, pateley bridge

.
.
.

in search of the gentle
alto saxophone, 21 october 2018
st cuthbert’s, pateley bridge

.
.
.

hugs for the bear pile
alto saxophone, 21 october 2018
st cuthbert’s, pateley bridge

.
.
.

segway to the next emptiness
alto saxophone, 21 october 2018
st cuthbert’s, pateley bridge

.
.
.

finding water
2.4 shakuhachi, 21 october 2018
st michael, malham kirkby

.
.
.

infinite expanses of blue
alto saxophone, 20 october 2018
st james, clapham

.
.
.

one door opens another closes
alto saxophone, 20 october 2018
st james, clapham

.
.
.

the sliding tones of autumn
alto saxophone, 20 october 2018
st james, clapham

.
.
.

slowly on the path
alto saxophone, 20 october 2018
st james, clapham

.
.
.

a crack of light splashes through the rock
alto saxophone, 19 october 2018
st marys, long preston

.
.
.

balancing the globe like hot candles
alto saxophone, 19 october 2018
st marys, long preston

.
.
.

who is pulling the strings
alto saxophone, 19 october 2018
st marys, long preston

.
.
.

sounding out summer 2018

 

 

 

This year started off with a surprise find. Hidden away just outside Wakefield centre, in the midst of a leafy street, this superb building has a welcoming lightness and such inspiring acoustics. St Austin has a calming effect with slightly subdued gentle tones, but quickly, my playing felt fluid and free.

Onto the next series, during a visit that took me from mid-Wales, near the border, to the much loved Snowdonia and the north coast.
Wigmore village church was a pleasant start, with exciting explorations of different musical territories. With each new season, i notice changes in my playing, and with each new location, new stories unfold.

The tracks presented here offer a range of buildings, each with its own architectural style, distinctive sound, and its own character. I hope the music pays tribute to the individual atmosphere of the places i visit. Perhaps some of the highlights may be the recordings from Harlech, during a lunchtime visit. A calm haven in a busy touristic area, bright and light, gently powerful. In Barmouth, a majestic presence at the top of the hill has a stilling effect. The sound is not as wide as one would expect for a building this size, but the wooden interior gives warmth and character.

And finally, it was such a pleasure to visit Gwydir Uchaf chapel again. A small humble interior with deep colours; the painted ceiling and the wooden furniture added richness, and the feel of the place snatched me from the present into a distant past.

High on my list, i really enjoyed visiting the grand, and beautiful Cathedral Cave. This time, i was there in the middle of the day. There was a very different vibe to my previous visits. There were a few people around, but i caught a quiet stretch when i could revisit the immersive feel and get lost in the palpable, thick presence of the place. Diving into the long tails and surround splashes of sounds reflected by the many facets of raw rock. Soft bounces all around, gentle mist hanging in mid air. Single tones gliding slowly across the emptiness. This place always has such a strong effect on me.

This post presents quite a range of locations, unlike others that focus on a particular area, but it is an opportunity to reflect on and listen deeply to the distinctive characters of architectural spaces. I hope you enjoy visiting them with me.

counting steps to happiness
alto saxophone, 04 june 2018
st austin, wakefield

.
.
.

the space in between
alto saxophone, 04 june 2018
st austin, wakefield

.
.
.

in the arms of wisdom
alto saxophone, 04 june 2018
st austin, wakefield

.
.
.

.
.
.

high tide
alto saxophone, 19 august 2018
cathedral cave

.
.
.

shimmers
alto saxophone, 19 august 2018
cathedral cave

.
.
.

slow drip
alto saxophone, 19 august 2018
cathedral cave

.
.
.

rock facets
alto saxophone, 19 august 2018
cathedral cave

.
.
.

.
.
.

circle of angels
alto saxophone, 11 august 2018
gwydir uchaf chapel, llanrwst

.
.
.

round the labyrinth
alto saxophone, 11 august 2018
gwydir uchaf chapel, llanrwst

.
.
.

becoming
alto saxophone, 08 august 2018
st tanwgs, harlech

.
.
.

lantern on the path
alto saxophone, 08 august 2018
st tanwgs, harlech

.
.
.

net of views
alto saxophone, 08 august 2018
st tanwgs, harlech

.
.
.

across the water
alto saxophone, 07 august 2018
st johns, barmouth

.
.
.

flutter of wings
alto saxophone, 07 august 2018
st johns, barmouth

.
.
.

slow clouds
alto saxophone, 07 august 2018
st johns, barmouth

.
.
.

blue above
alto saxophone, 05 august 2018
holy trinity, much wenlock

.
.
.

slanted light
alto saxophone, 05 august 2018
holy trinity, much wenlock

.
.
.

wanderer
alto saxophone, 05 august 2018
holy trinity, much wenlock

.
.
.

curtain crease
alto saxophone, 02 august 2018
st james, wigmore

.
.
.

undergrowth
alto saxophone, 02 august 2018
st james, wigmore

.
.
.

taking the castle
alto saxophone, 02 august 2018
st james, wigmore

.
.
.

sounding out scotland – coda

 

 

 

Clachan church

is situated in an amazing setting, along a stunning coastline, splendid views on applecross that are both twee and very wild. The church is slightly tucked away and usually quiet. it feels welcoming and cold at the same time. there is something about the very plain design and open empty space that is very attractive in its simplicity. similarly, the sound is ample and yet restrained. there is a comfortable resonance with enough sustain and yet not too much tail which allows for a different type of playing. the surfaces are mainly wood which absorbs a lot of vibrations and makes the sound warm in spite of the plain hard surfaces of the space.

by the time i get to this place, my saxophone has accompanied me on the road and, once again, is in need of TLC. and yet, in spite of this, the place is always stirring and the focus it inspires allows me to overcome the technical difficulties. so, like last time i was here, even if the sax sounds a little raw, and the overtones are a little thin… i always like the outcome produced by such a gentle and stimulating environment. and after a deep and relaxing meditation, the second wave of recording is even more inspired and energetic:

.
.
.

converging inversions
alto saxophone, 30 august 2017
clachan church, applecross, scotland

.
.
.

a group of young deer
2.1 shakuhachi, 30 august 2017
clachan church, applecross, scotland

.
.
.

renewed horizon
alto saxophone, 30 august 2017
clachan church, applecross, scotland

.
.
.

infinite space
alto saxophone, 30 august 2017
clachan church, applecross, scotland

.
.
.

ragged coastline
alto saxophone, 30 august 2017
clachan church, applecross, scotland

.
.
.

Cathedral Cave

it is with great pleasure that i complete this series and my journey by a short stop in the lake district. it does feel like returning home, but there is another treat in line, and this is the absolutely staggering presence of cathedral cave. it’s pretty dark by the time i arrive, and it is definitely empty and quiet, although strange and distant noises inhabit the valley.

from the very first sound, the rich ambiance and impressive character of the reverb envelops me, and carry me in suspension. deep absorption.

expanding.

space.

.
.
.

prajna
alto saxophone, 02 september 2017
cathedral cave

.
.
.

this, is
alto saxophone, 02 september 2017
cathedral cave

.
.
.

the maze
alto saxophone, 02 september 2017
cathedral cave

.
.
.