Pons Aelius – Captain Glen’s Comfort
Independent – 8 September 2017
Pons Aelius will ring a bell with many that follow the Scottish folk scene, they were the winners of the 2015 Danny Kyle Award, a platform that’s launched many a career including Karine Polwart (with Malinky in 1999), Rura and The Chair.
The Newcastle-upon-Tyne-based sextet will release their debut album Captain Glen’s Comfort on 8 September. Since winning the Danny Kyle award, they have been honing their skills on the folk circuit delivering their rich and vibrant blend of traditional and contemporary folk music of Britain and beyond. With bold arrangements and an arsenal of instruments, the band melds age-old traditions with a fresh and innovative attitude.
For their album they wanted to capture the energy of their live performance, so they enlisted some of the very best and well-known names from the Scottish folk scene: acclaimed Piper/multi-instrumentalist Calum MacCrimmon (Breabach/Man’s Ruin/Tryst) was pivotal in the pre-production phase, whilst veteran audio-wizards Mattie Foulds and Stuart Hamilton were tasked with the mixing and mastering respectively. The result is a colossal sound-world, drawing influences from far and wide, yet managing to unite them under one roof. The band’s double bass, guitar and bodhrán rhythm section provide a solid yet vibrant foundation for ambitious flute, whistle, bagpipe, mandolin and banjo lines.
Here’s a flavour, recorded live in the studio. This is their album’s opening set Molly and Jimmy’s (the tunes: Molly Quinlan’s/The Alexander Jig/Pipe Major Jimmy McGregor).
and Oh My Doughnuts (Professor Partridge – Bevan Morris – Oh My Doughnuts – Jordan Aikin/Sam Partridge):
With such a Roman name it seems only right that they should be performing here in the South West next week at a place made famous for its Roman-built baths. They play at Green Park Brasserie Garden, 5pm-8pm on Wednesday 16th August 2017 as part of the Bath Folk Festival (free entry so get their early).
Pre-Order Captain Glen’s Comfort via Bandcamp here: https://ponsaelius.bandcamp.com/album/captain-glens-comfort
Pons Aelius are:
Alasdair Paul – Guitar/Bouzouki
Bevan Morris – Double Bass
Callum Younger – Bodhrán
Jordan Aikin – Pipes/Whistle
Sam Partridge – Flute
Tom Kimber – Mandolin/Tenor Banjo
For Tour Dates and More Information please visit: http://ponsaeliusmusic.com/