New music for the acoustic guitar and double bass – four hands, ten strings, and two bits of wood.

Beautiful tunes that fuse genres – folky themes, jazzy chords, renaissance rhythm and filmy atmosphere.

The tile track ‘In Arden’ is named in honour of Nick Drake, whose family lived in Tanworth-in-Arden where a voluntary group now organises the annual Nick Drake Gathering. Steve’s been privileged to play in the church on some Saturday afternoons. It’s a special place of pilgrimage for many as Nick and his parents are interred in the churchyard. The village sits in the midst of the ancient Forest of Arden, and the millennial church window depicts the inter-twining of forest and church. The gathering often includes James Edge, who graciously agreed to arrange musically and logistically a stunning string quartet in London; members of the quartet have played with Roxy Music, Status Quo, Ray LaMontagne, Gabrielle and other leading artists. You may hear echos of Nick Drake’s guitar, Danny Thompson’s double bass and Robert Kirkby’s string quartet arrangements. ‘In Arden’ is dedicated to Nick Drake, being at the gathering and being in the heart of England.

The other tunes on the EP were inspired by the joys of rehearsal (‘You Called Me’), the acoustic guitar master Clive Carroll (‘Mr CC’) and a fine, good or pleasing day (‘Braw Day’).  You can find a couple of videos of us recording these tracks in the studio on Steve’s web page or YouTube channel. The quality of the sound on the EP reflects the coaching, mastery and magic of Stuart Hamilton at Castlesound Studios, Pencaitland

Born in London, Steve Garrett has lived  and traveled across the UK, Antartica, Canada and California, and now calls Scotland  home, featuring on the solo albums ‘Even Song’ (2015) and ‘Discover and Endure’ (2019).  Peter Lowit has been a mainstay of the NE Scotland jazz scene for many years, featuring on the Trio Nadurra album ‘Under the Stars’ (2019). When working in this duo format, we are grateful that we stand on the shoulders of giants –  Danny Thompson & John Martyn, Ron Carter & Jim Hall, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen & Joe Pass, Charlie Haden & Pat Metheny.

The album launch event will see us play these and other tunes in August 2019 at the Acoustic Music Centre  (Fringe Venue 138) as part of the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

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