A unique exposition of an 1893 text by Robert Charles Hope exploring the legends of England's "holy wells", the water of which was purported to have healing properties, adapted to atmospheric songs by Drake and performed on a 1940 Hammond model BC organ and a Challen upright piano; delicate and descriptive songs that detail the legends and the hope they inspired.
Label: Recommended Records Catalog ID: RERCTA-027 Squidco Product Code: 32924
Format: CD Condition: New Released: 2022 Country: UK Packaging: Digipack Written, performed, and recorded by Bob Drake, between May 2021 and June 2022. Recorded June and July 2022 at La Borde Basse, Caudeval France.
1. The Legendary Lore Of The Holy Wells Of England 2:38
2. Alton - The Holybourne 2:42
3. Holywell 2:47
4. Elmer's, Clement's, And Harold's Wells 2:38
5. Blow Wells And Jackson's Green 2:47
6. Alford, Tommy Tack, And The Bishop's Wells 3:29
7. The Alum Well 1:57
8. Carlisle Catherdral And Castle Sowberry 3:51
9. Dupath And Saint Euny's Wells 3:32
10. Ricot Park 2:50
11. Two Saint Cuthberts 4:42
12. Robin Hood's Well 2:59
13. Watton Abbey And The Lady Well 3:08
sample the album:
descriptions, reviews, &c.
"Highly intriguing experiment in atmospheric, minimalist exposition using texts drawn from The Legendary Lore of the Holy Wells of England (pub. 1893). Bob Drake takes a professional detour to explore an intriguing byway with this atmospheric, uncharacteristic, stripped down, highly intriguing (and I think highly successful) experiment in minimal exposition.
There are thirteen chapters - for voices, organ, piano and cathedral - on texts drawn directly from the 1893 edition of The Legendary Lore of The Holy Wells Of England: Including Rivers, Lakes, Fountains And Springs, by the English antiquary and inventor of the folding umpire's chair, Robert Charles Hope. Hallucinatory, educational, intriguing, mysterious and almost certainly efficacious to the elevation of the spirit - not to mention some serious compositional heft.
This is a unique musical object and whomsoever likes to take the road less traveled, this was meant for you."-Recommended Records