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Folk zoals het hoort.

Ben Walker is such an interesting character. A post-grad in Mathematics and a classically trained virtuoso on the guitar. Described by Total Guitar Magazine as ‘one of the best acoustic guitarists in the world right now’. ‘Banish Air from Air’ is his second solo album. He has assembled a number of different voices, both male and female all bringing different qualities and nuances to his music. It makes it such a rewarding listen.

The album is a mixture of instrumentals, self-penned songs, and reimagined poems. Together they form a journey that attempts to explore the relationship between man and nature. It feels like music from another time. Folk in its purest form.

“I’ve been a mathematician as long as I’ve been a musician. I’d usually default to music or science to describe the world, but folk superstitions offer their own explanations of things we’re still figuring out. We’ve got hypotheses which go back centuries, from folk myths to religion, from alchemy to science.” Walker explains. This approach is beautifully demonstrated on the mystical track ‘Yew of Barrowdale’ with Emily Mae Winters providing the vocal. An original composition with some words borrowed from  Wordsworth’s poem ‘Yew Trees’. With its sparse blend of guitar and strings. It is worthy of Maddy Prior or June Tabor at their absolute pomp. This is followed by the moody ‘Eggshells’ sung by Louis Brennen whose voice is so rich. It has that wonderful murder ballad tradition.

The slightly distorted guitar of ‘Neptune’ could sit very easily in Tubular Bells along with an excellent violin accompaniment. The percussion-heavy ‘King Storm’ follows yet another path this time with Lucy Alexander on vocals. That’s the beauty of this collection You don’t quite know what’s coming next, but it doesn’t matter. The album is a journey. Just close your eyes and allow it to take you on it. You won’t be disappointed

Described by Mark Radcliffe as a ‘great guitarist, composer, and producer’ Ben Walker deserves recognition from a wider audience. Hopefully with this offering that will be achieved.

If there is going to be a better album released in 2023, I can’t wait to hear it. “Banish Air From Air” is a brilliant piece of work. Each of the 11 tracks offer something different and there is not a ‘skipper’ amongst them. The guest vocalists are perfect and the other musicians contributions cannot be underestimated. Congratulations Ben, that was 3 years very well spent!

Tracks:
01. Banish Air from Air
02. Starlings
03. The Way Through The Woods
04. The Yews of Borrowdale
05. Eggshells
06. Neptune
07. King Storm
08. Showers on Ascension Day
09. There Will Come Soft Rains
10. Northern Lights
11. Kepler and Sol

Staat er compleet op, 10% pars mee gepost. Met zeer veel dank aan de originele poster. Laat af en toe eens weten wat je van het album vindt. Altijd leuk, de mening van anderen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_qvGOHTaxU