Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
We are surrounded by history, most of it unwritten, arguably unnoticed till it either affects us, or we wilfully embrace and search for the hidden meanings in which we believe is ours by right to decipher and to proclaim to the world. The circle stones, the cave drawings, all manner of the mystical and ancient in which our world has allowed Time to swallow and conceal till we are ready, till the person concerned shows the faith in their endeavour and creates a piece of art that is gentle, illuminating and even discerning.
It is an art that Richard Durrant has long since discovered, given hope to and mastered with timeless appreciation, a musician to whom perhaps nature and the critic has not given enough time, or pleasure to. We can forgive Time, for it has other issues to attend but to the critical, we must defend Richard Durrant to the core. In his latest album, Stringhenge, that defence must be fulsome and resolute, for the tunes played deserve such tender harmony and should not be dismissed.
It is to the realms of history that Richard Durrant seeks and finds in exquisite company and abundance, history of the modern thought but accompanied by the richness and the vehicle of beauty that has seen 5,000 years, waiting perhaps to be played with admiring fingers.
It is in the presentation of the composer’s debut double album in which the appreciation lingers, which the idea of the English pastoral takes shape, and in an album of very little vocal work, it is perhaps in the concert guitar, crafted from ancient oak by Gary Southwell, to which the music frames the mood with style and pleasure.
Stringhenge is an album that relishes in the sound sought and whilst the two sides comply to different sensibilities and use of musicianship, including on Part Two-The English Guitar Hymnal, which incorporates players such Piers Adams, Howard Beech on harpsichord and chamber organ, and singers Robert Andrews and Daisy Durrant; what comes across is the absolute unity in ideas and the cohesion of travelling beauty.
In pieces such as The Deep Dark Woods, Sorton’s Hornpipe, A Brief History of Wood, Speed The Plough, JS Bark, The Walrus Tree, Kenneth the Hedge and Morris Dreams, Richard Durrant’s vision, his embracing of the pastoral marks his generous ability out for the listener and leaves no doubt of the passion that beats within.
Tender harmony should never be dismissed, it should be forever allowed to roam free, to spread like the tree’s roots deep underground to the soul of those who listen.
Richard Durrant releases Stringhenge on September 17th.
Ian D. Hall