Fans of Tim Eriksen will be pleased to hear that he has released his first Christmas album titled ‘Star in the East’. It is also his first all ‘bajo sextet’ album (a Bajo Sextet is a musical instrument with 12 strings in 6 double courses, used in Mexican music). He probably surprised himself more than anyone else having never envisaged releasing such an album but it seemed like the natural thing to do:
I never thought I’d make a Christmas album, but it occurred to me that since I love these songs and play them around the house at random times throughout the year I should record them for people who live out of earshot. I made Star in the East with year round listening in mind- I’ve tried it out, and it seems to work even in July. Among other things it’s my first all bajo sexto album, featuring the melodic bajo sexto style I’ve worked up over the last seven years. I think you’ll be seeing more bajo sextos played by non-Mexicans in years to come- it’s just a very cool instrument. Star in the East also features Peter Irvine on percussion, Eliza Cavanaugh singing harmony on the title track and me on dulcimer and a couple of other instruments.
Physical copies of the release are limited to 500 numbered copies beautifully handmade by Stumptown Printers in Portland, Oregon. Physical copies begin to ship from Monday December 5. Digital copies are available from Tim’s bandcamp page.
Listen in full to Star in the East
photo credit: Michael Murphree