NEW MUSIC: 'Saturnine'

A first watch of the video for a new solo piano recording of my piece from 2021

It’s early-May and I’m heading high up into the North York Moors - one of the UK’s lesser-known National Parks - driving across the purple heather-tipped wilds of a landscape so open, so barren and so devoid of people, it can sometimes feel a little eerie, as well as exhilarating.

The winding lanes hug the steep-sided hills and undulating landscape, crisscrossing the numerous valleys and dales, offering a new breathtaking view at every bend. A quick journey it is not, but no matter - the longer journeys often take us to the places we come to love most. In any case, the views more than make up for it, and they prove plenty inspirational.

I’m heading to Ayriel Studios, somewhere I’ve been following for a while, and have been looking for an opportunity to record there, not least because they have a choice of Steinway D and Blüthner grand pianos, but also because they are so kind and supportive of the musical community in the wider area.

I’ve come to record a new, solo piano version of my piece Saturnine, released originally in 2021 on Piano & Coffee Records as part of their Realismo Mágico compilation…

…featuring the wonderful drumming of my long-time collaborator Steve Hanley. This time, I’m recording a solo version because…well, because there’s something new to tell you about soon. Keep your eyes peeled!

For you lovely folks here on The Cut Through, you are the first ones who are getting to see and hear this. In the old days (of streaming, haha, not the 1960s), we used to try and get our followers to pre-save music, which on reflection feels like a big waste of time.

You are the people who choose to receive a weekly missive from me, and you have consistently been so encouraging and supportive of me during the almost-decade since I first began releasing music on SoundCloud in 2015. As such, it is such a pleasure to share this with you, my most loyal and loveliest of followers, before anyone else…

I very often end my live shows with this piece (before the non-encore Compline encore!), and in the last few years so many people have asked why it isn’t on any of my three previous physical releases. A good question, I think.

Anyway...more news on the way later in the week. I think you’ll like it.

In the meantime, enjoy Saturnine. I’d love to know what you think!