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 Cathedral Cave – june 2023

a most welcome return to a spectacular location.

cathedral cave is a very unique and wonderful place both in terms of atmosphere and acoustics. this time, the weather gives a very different quality to the experience of the place. i have been walking in the area in blazing sunshine, swimming in the clear water of lakes surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

i arrive to the cave tired, warm and pretty blissed out from such stunning scenery. the cool space provides a nice shelter from the heat. and although it is still busy that late in the day, the imposing presence of this carved architecture sets a strong mood that is serene.

the name of cathedral cave is well deserved.

here, time stops.

and from the very fist notes, i enter that very special place fully.

both evenings, i play for a period of time, blending melodic passages, progressions, and overtones, taking advantage of this unique and powerful reverb. some sections play with the different effects the space offers – the interplay of tones in the sustain is fascinating… two notes linger and dance in the space and each interval a different pattern. each triad swirls a different spin.

although the space mostly inspires a gentle play of tones and melody, more angular shapes find their way in the improvisations. symmetrical structures bounce across the spectrum from one axis to the next. geometric shapes climb the raw surface of the rock. a little slack in the rope allows for smudges of movement. chromatic whirls send phases off-center. the space responds and blesses the ear with stunning sound effects.

 

 

 

the first line
alto saxophone, 13 june 2023
cathedral cave

 

blurred boundaries
alto saxophone, 13 june 2023
cathedral cave

 

the space in between
alto saxophone, 13 june 2023
cathedral cave

 

 

wind swept plains
alto saxophone, 14 june 2023
cathedral cave

 

slack bounce
alto saxophone, 14 june 2023
cathedral cave

 

a study of small shapes
alto saxophone, 14 june 2023
cathedral cave

 

Sounding Out Stoney Middleton St Martin’s 2022

i spent two days across moorland chasing after deer sounds, fawning across the fern and forests for close encounters. finally had a long and silent eye contact with the big dude. not a single sound. on the last evening, nearly out of earshot of constant distant traffic, i find antlers clashing and guttural calls… proved to be worth the wait.

for a change of scenery and ticks removed, i head down the valley to a small church in the village of stoney middleton, tucked away in the rocks. the space is open and bright, the sound welcoming. it is a quiet morning and the light filters through and gently lifts the faded colours of this interesting interior.

skylines
alto saxophone, 14 oct 2022
st martins, stoney middleton

   

harvest
alto saxophone, 14 oct 2022
st martins, stoney middleton

   

rolling free
alto saxophone, 14 oct 2022
st martins, stoney middleton

   

the bell calls
alto saxophone, 14 oct 2022
st martins, stoney middleton

   

   

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.

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

 

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

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

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spirals and cups
alto saxophone, 24 august 2019
kilmartin church

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amongst the peaks
alto saxophone, 24 august 2019
kilmartin church

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

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

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

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

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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.

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watching ripples
soprano saxophone, 21 april 2019
thurgoland tunnel

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the crane
2.4 shakuhachi, 21 april 2019
thurgoland tunnel

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

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

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do the pollock
soprano saxophone, 16 may 2019
newby church

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

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

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stone bridge
alto saxophone, 11 july 2019
blanchland abbey

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birds over breeze
alto saxophone, 11 july 2019
blanchland abbey

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leaves swirl
alto saxophone, 11 july 2019
blanchland abbey

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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’.

 

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opening time
alto saxophone, 11 march 2019
dore abbey

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

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vestiges of verticality
alto saxophone, 11 march 2019
dore abbey

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

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venturing the windings
alto saxophone, 13 march 2019
dore abbey

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golden vales
alto saxophone, 13 march 2019
dore abbey

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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