Hodder-Williams / Caldwell

Mariner's Way

Label: FMR Country: UK

"A combination of improvisations and duets using gamelan, singing bowl, flute, alto flute, bass flute, soprano saxophone and bass clarinet, exploring the mythical journey of the mariner, traveling across Dartmoor, on the ancient track known as the Mariner's Way.

Tradition has it that for centuries there has been an ancient trackway which runs from Bideford in North Devon and Dartmouth in South Devon. The purpose of this route was for sailors to travel between the two ports when transferring from one ship to sail on another, hence the name, The Mariner's Way. Numerous Dartmoor writers have acknowledged the track and some have even tried to follow its route but still today there is no firm evidence for the existence of The Mariner's Way apart from faint echoes in the traditions of Dartmoor.

Susie Hodder-Williams and Chris Caldwell both live on Dartmoor. Their music is fresh and experimental, residing at the edge of folk, classical and improvisation, inspired by the landscape and natural history of Dartmoor. Live at the Long Room is an on going series of performances where their latest work can be experienced in the informal surroundings of the Long Room. They are both professional musicians who live on Dartmoor, one of the UK's National Parks, an area of outstanding natural beauty and ancient Bronze Age history.

Hodder-Williams is a flautist (piccolo, flute, alto flute, bass flute and ethnic flutes) and Caldwell is a saxophonist/clarinettist (soprano, baritone saxophones and bass clarinet). They both have a vast experience as performers in a variety of musical styles; orchestral, chamber music, contemporary jazz, folk and experimental music. Their work together combines these musical influences with inspiration taken from the natural elements found within Dartmoor and beyond.

Mariner's Way is their first collaborative CD which follows, through music, the part- mythical footpath which navigates over Dartmoor and shares the same name. The music here is half composed and half improvised; its sound world is that of water, wind, granite and squelching footfall: the mariner alone on the ancient moor."-Music on the Edge