Artist Name | Graeme Armstrong |
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Album title | You are Free |
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Any more information you would like to tell us? | YOU ARE FREE is the debut album from singer/ songwriter Graeme Armstrong, known for being a one third of the ground breaking trio Talisk. This is his first solo project and sees the production skills of Andrea Gobbi and extraordinary musicianship of Rachel Newton, Duncan Lyall, Carly Blain, Keir Long, Bevan Morris, Michael Owers, Mattie Foulds and Jen Austin bring Graeme’s explosive yet deeply intimate sound to life. Recorded at ‘Home’ and in Gloworm Studios. As the world took some time off, Graeme seized the opportunity to embark on his debut solo album. He had been longing to explore some of his favourite traditional songs which he learned growing up, including Isle of France and Fine Flowers in the Valley. With his good friend Keir Long, a master of the synth, he gives new life to these songs with hard hitting synth arrangements and edgy electric guitar riffs. You will also find a full brass arrangement from Michael Owers on the song My Son David which we can probably say with confidence is a first for the song. For many years Graeme has been wanting to get into the bones of these songs and explore a sound which reflected how they made him feel which he now feels very proud of. He then found himself with a burning sensation to write which he couldn’t deny. This from becoming a father in William’s Song, dealing with the loss of a close friend on the title track You Are Free and the breakdown of relationships in his family on Sit Alone, music being the comforting outlet yet again. This being beautifully portrayed in the delicate acoustic side of Graeme’s character and from the wispy, intimate backing vocals of Rachel Newton, but yet again understanding when it’s time for things to kick off in the production. Songs which feature on the album also come from some of Graeme’s greatest inspirations. He took it upon himself to put his own slant on songs such as Karine Polwart’s Waterlily, Michael Marra’s The Beast, Dick Gaughan’s Both Sides the Tweed and Sandy Wright’s Beads and Feathers as a homage and respect to these artists which he loves and knows he would not be where is he today without them. How can you not enjoy re arranging a song you adore from one of your heroes? Graeme Armstrong, with this debut release lets you into a period of his life, an album that is an in-depth snapshot into the artist and what makes him tick, and a very personal, moving yet exciting and forward-thinking piece of work. His use of instrumentation creates intertwining arrangements that sooth and hit hard when needed. |
Label Name | Graeme Armstrong |
Release Date | 22/04/2022 |
Website | graemearmstrongmusic.com |
Album link 1 | spotify.com |