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
The Peak District on my doorstep, it is easy to nip out and see so much beauty. A little further afield, the limestone valleys offer a different type of landscape. i don’t often go that far and so missed the area and decided to return to known places, in the south peaks.
It was wet in wetton. Storm was on the menu, and it did not disappoint. But first, in the day, it was really hot and sunny. Walking up the hills was fairly taxing and many people were out swimming in the rivers.
By the evening, the distant lightning provided a spectacular display; with stars above, flashes lit up gorgeous cloud formations. The flashes were relentless, it was like watching fireworks and the storm being so distant, it was completely silent. Quite a surreal scene. And it took a while for the rain to arrive. And here too, it did not disappoint.
Another magic moment, in the morning, from a nearby bridge, i watched the empty and dry river bed fill up with rain water that slowly had filtered throught the limestone and started flowing, making this most amazing trickle sound, like pebbles coming to life.
But let’s rewind a little to the end of the day, after a wonderful walk in blazing sunshire, and as the weather was slowly turning, i climbed into the imposive stature of Thor’s Cave. Possibly due to the radiant weather, and also to a long period of lockdown, i found the area more busy than usual, and it was a while until there was a quiet moment. i had time to enjoy the golden glowing of slanting light that came into the cave from the side opening. Taking the time to get back in touch with the space i once knew well (a scroll through previous sounding out recordings will show many visits to this site), i could get into the vibe and ready for some improvisation.
As soon as i got the saxophone out and sounded out a few notes into the space, to warm up, the music started to flow. At the end of the session, as the light was diminishing, a single wood pigeon was singing outside the entrance of the cave. I picked up the melody and recorded one last piece.
the fifth step
alto saxophone, 11 august 2020
thor’s cave
shadow theatre
alto saxophone, 11 august 2020
thor’s cave
spin the riff
alto saxophone, 11 august 2020
thor’s cave
the wood pigeon song
alto saxophone, 11 august 2020
thor’s cave
After a little break, i continued on down the valley, to a tunnel of incredible property. The sound there is just outstanding. After playing in the cave, my lips were starting to tire, but i could not help sending a few notes spinning down that long tube a watch the frequencies merge. Each set of notes shimmers in its own way, creating further overtones, bending notes to align with the tunnel resonance. I could have played triads forever, just listening to the long tail slowly fade. With circular breathing, the tones eventually blend into a mass of sound that slowly modulates overtones. This place has always been a treat.
infinite
alto saxophone, 11 august 2020
swainsley tunnel
merger
alto saxophone, 11 august 2020
swainsley tunnel
scats o’long tails
alto saxophone, 11 august 2020
swainsley tunnel
dark skies ahead
alto saxophone, 11 august 2020
swainsley tunnel
On the second day, i wanted to go back to the cave and record some more, explore different textures. I am not sure if the deliberate approach was wise, in any case, i could not really force any ideas as is usually true with this project. I just had to go with the flow. And on that second day, the vibe was quite different. There were many distractions and it took quite a while for things to settle down, and even while playing, there were a few interruptions. Still, even though i found it more difficult to get into the zone, some interesting material came out. And indeed, the results were more high energy flow and abstract than the first session which was predominently melodic. In places like this, i find the vibe and the music that comes out a lot more free and raw than in churches, for obvious reasons.
another round
alto saxophone, 12 august 2020
thor’s cave
bustle in the valley
alto saxophone, 12 august 2020
thor’s cave
waltzing wood in the wind
alto saxophone, 12 august 2020
thor’s cave
flashes of lightning
amongst the crashes and flashes of a raging storm, and in torrential rain, the duo was born as ged barry and hervé perez arrived at thor’s cave with saxes.
this recording is the document of their very first encounter as a duo with the special acoustics of the cave.
01 august 2017
ged barry – tenor saxophone
hervé perez – alto saxophone
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full audio
below is a series of recordings which explore areas of the peak district
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split second
alto saxophone, 14 june 2014
ilam church, derbyshire
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for yibo
alto saxophone, 14 june 2014
ilam church, derbyshire
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yibo and the birds
alto saxophone with yibo hu, voice, 14 june 2014
thor’s cave, peak district
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back to base
soprano saxophone, 10 may 2014
st mary’s church, bolsterstone
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tracking shots
soprano saxophone, 10 may 2014
st mary’s church, bolsterstone
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study in blue
alto saxophone, 03 may 2014
st martin’s church, stoney middleton
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closing time
alto saxophone, 03 may 2014
st martin’s church, stoney middleton
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wild orchids
alto saxophone, 03 may 2014
st martin’s church, stoney middleton
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rolling hills
alto saxophone, 29 march 2014
pike watts memorial, ilam church
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blossoms
alto saxophone, 29 march 2014
pike watts memorial, ilam church
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night train
alto saxophone, 29 march 2014
pike watts memorial, ilam church
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over the years, this project has taken me to great places across the country, ‘sounding out’ many sites from caves to forests, natural formations and churches alike. but, close to home, there are many locations that i keep returning to. some old favourites, and some amazing treats of both natural and designed acoustics.
below is a series of recordings which explore areas of the peak district
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du bout de la pensée
ilam church
derbyshire
soprano saxophone, 30 september 2011
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late visit
dovecote tunnel
peak district
soprano saxophone, 30 september 2011
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leaves on the ground, autumn swirls
thor’s cave
peak district
soprano saxophone, 29 september 2011
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change of season
tideswell cathedral
peak district
soprano saxophone, 02 september 2011
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clearing
ilam church
peak district
1.95 shakuhachi, 02 september 2011
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terrace with a view
birchover hermit caves
derbyshire
soprano saxophone, 10 july 2011
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room to breathe
birchover hermit cave
derbyshire
soprano saxophone, 10 july 2011
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for mehata
swainsley tunnel
derbyshire
soprano saxophone, 31 may 2011
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escalade
swainsley tunnel
derbyshire
soprano saxophone, 31 may 2011
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marking time
norbury church
derbyshire
soprano saxophone, 09 may 2011
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ode to a dog and a plastic bottle
thor’s cave
derbyshire
soprano saxophone, 08 may 2011
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le héron bleu
alstonefield church
derbyshire
soprano saxophone, 04 april 2011
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nexttime studio 