For anyone that has been to an Edgelarks performance (Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin), you are sure to have witnessed Phillip’s slide guitar playing, especially on his 22-string Chaturangui, an Indian slide guitar.
He studied slide guitar in India with the master musician Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya who designed the Chaturangui Phil plays on. He is now celebrating ten years since that seminal trip to study music in India, and all his many musical travels since with a new solo album titled True North (out on 5th October) which was produced by Mark Tucker and recorded at The Green Room, Devon.
“Ten years ago this January I set off on a solo journey to Kolkata. I was going to study under the slide guitar master Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya. Prior to this I had moved out to the Devon countryside, living in a variety of tents and caravans, dedicating myself to exploring the real essence of slide guitar.
“I have always been interested in the slide guitar as a solo instrument. These arrangements aim to highlight the special ability of the slide guitar to sing to the soul; its vocal quality combined with the guitar’s depth of range and chordal nature lend its sound to unaccompanied settings of both instrumentals and songs. I have used the pieces on this record to explore the many facets of the instrument and the range of its capabilities. The tracks are recorded live in the studio, though I get a little assistance in realising some of the arrangements from a foot-powered shruti box, foot percussion, and on Reverence, a hand fan with feathers attached to create a drone on the sympathetic strings.
“I returned from my Indian travels with the Chaturangui – a remarkable 22 string instrument designed by my teacher Debashish. This marked the beginning of a decade of travels with slide guitars – from Japan to South Africa, the USA to Australia, Canada to the Netherlands, France, Germany and Belgium. Not to mention thousands of miles rambling the roads of the British Isles. Many miles, many friends and a lot of music. True North is made to commemorate this anniversary, using the idea of one person with one instrument to bring together influences and pieces from these ten years on the road.”
The album explores the possibilities of slide guitar as a solo instrument. Featuring songs and tunes from across the world, it is a fusion of global styles deeply infused with Phil’s British folk roots, and brought together with a considered beauty all his own.
The first single, Kalyan Variations, is out now (and features on our Mellow Folk Spotify Playlist). On the accompanying notes, Phil explains “These (Reverence Revisited & Kalyan Variations) are reworkings of a piece I wrote before departing for India ten years ago. The first part is inspired by Raga Yaman, a sacred piece of Indian classical music. The second part explores the Kalyan mode, through some rhythmic variations. They are tunes of thankfulness.”
Pre-orders will be sent out in September, ahead of the 5th October release date. There is a limited edition deluxe pre-order available, and all pre-orders come with a digital download of the album too. Phil is also embarking on a very special launch tour – dates below…
Pre-Order True North here: https://philliphenryhannahmartin.bandcamp.com/album/true-north
Phil is launching True North this autumn with a string of dates and workshops (for these, places are limited and tickets are going fast already).
TRUE NORTH TOUR DATES
OCTOBER
25th – Exeter, Phoenix +workshop
www.exeterphoenix.org.uk / 01392 667080
26th – Woodmancote Village Hall
www.wegottickets.com/smedsongs / 07970 078220
27th – Tuppenny Barn, Southbourne
www.tuppennybarn.co.uk/musicthebarn/ / 01243 377780
28th – Chettle Village Hall, nr Blandford Forum
http://chettlemusic.co.uk/home/philip-henry/ / 07776 323198
NOVEMBER
1st – Barber Rooms, Faringdon, Oxfordshire
www.wegottickets.com/event/438100
2nd – Cambridge Folk Club +workshop
www.cambridgefolkclub.org 01638 603986
3rd – Calstock Arts, Cornwall
http://calstockarts.org/ / 01726 879500
7th – Cecil Sharp House, London +workshop
https://uk.patronbase.com/_CecilSharpHouse/Productions / 0207 485 2206
8th – Upwood Village Hall, nr. Huntingdon +workshop
pndmcleod@btinternet.com / 01487 814114
9th – Kitchen Garden Cafe, Kings Heath, Birmingham
www.wegottickets.com/kitchengardenevents / 0121 4434725
10th – The Old Refreshment Room, Wrington, Somerset
www.facebook.com/theoldrefreshmentroom/ / info@theoldrefreshmentroom.co.uk / 07429 005512
11th – Folk House, Bristol
www.bristolfolkhouse.co.uk/live-music/event/phillip-henry / 0117 926 2987
15th – Chapel Arts, Bath
https://chapelarts.org/ / 01225 463362
16th – West Kirby Arts +workshop
http://westkirbyartscentre.org.uk/ / 07484 537502
17th – Willow Gallery, Oswestry +workshop
http://www.willowgalleryoswestry.org/ / 01691 657575
http://www.philliphenryandhannahmartin.co.uk/