Dan Evans / Crowdy,Andy - Waltz Through The Woods [CD]

Dan Evans is one of the leading Appalachian dulcimer players, a consummate & stylish guitarist and prolific composer, specialising in nature-themed music. He plays almost exclusively fingerstyle with considerable classical skill and his unique style incorporates elements of folk, classical & jazz genres. On this new album Dan uses a number of tunings, keys and modes on the dulcimer to evoke a wide variety of moods and he plays guitar in the rich and resonant Open C tuning. A Waltz Through The Woods is Dan's sixth studio album, superbly recorded and produced by Angus Wallace at Far Heath Studios in Northamptonshire. Here Dan is joined again by English actress and classically trained singer Rebecca Hallworth on vocals and international Jazzman Andy Crowdy on bass, guitar and percussion. New friend and violinist Sharon Sullivan completes the line up. The much-admired artwork is by Yorkshire artist Ian Scott Massie - himself, by coincidence, a dulcimer player, This new CD album holds seven waltzes, five folk songs, two modal dulcimer pieces, two guitar pieces and five new compositions by Dan. The fifty-minute album has nineteen tracks in total, running through the year's four seasons. A Waltz Through The Woods was not recorded to a click track; The songs need space to breathe, some of the pieces have time signature changes and several the pieces have timing variations. There is also a general relaxation and freedom of timing in some of Dan's music, known as rubato. Dan's thirty years' experience as a professional musician clearly shows in the calm, mature nature of this production. Manufacture was coordinated by Pure Music Manufacture in Manchester, UK and the replication was undertaken by Profact International BV in Holland, Europe. The 4 page digisleeve is devoid of plastic and the card is made from 70-90% recycled board. Hardcopy and digital distribution is courtesy of The Divine Art Recordings Group to all the usual internet channels. "With his own distinctive fingerpicking style Dan blends together an evocative and expressive mix of Folk, Pop, Classical and Jazz. The sound quality and mix of this recording is outstanding. Dan is backed beautifully by his regular accompanists; Rebecca Halworth on superb vocals and Andy Crowdy on double bass, guitar and percussion. They are joined by Sharon Sullivan who adds some perfectly placed violin. I thoroughly recommend this excellent album. It most certainly left me with a warm comfortable feeling of having journeyed a nature filled Waltz Through The Woods. " Paul Crocker for Nonsuch News magazine, UK For more information, please visit Dan's website: www. English-dulcimer. #com