On the promotional video for Burden Lake below, filmed at a creative retreat at Burden Lake near Albany, NY, Neil Pearlman touches on how Scottish music is played differently in the US. While that may not be immediately obvious to everyone, the combining of these two worlds yields beautiful results on this debut. He relishes the prospect of a transatlantic collaboration with Kevin Henderson who is also visibly excited by the prospect of performing with someone from outside the Scottish scene he usually’s involved in.
Any preconceived notions of how this album may sound will soon be turned on its head once you hear these two players. Pearlman, who studied jazz piano in New York City, brings an innovational edge to the party through his piano and mandolin playing. Having played with the likes of Alasdair Fraser, Wendy MacIsaac, Darol Anger and Katie McNally he’s no stranger to the celtic world. Likewise, Henderson, whose roots are steeped in the rich musical heritage of Shetland, has been at the vanguard of the Scottish traditional music scene for decades, immersed in Shetland and Scandinavian traditions and Glasgow’s contemporary folk scene while playing as a member of Fiddlers’ Bid, Boys of the Lough, Session A9 and Nordic Fiddlers Bloc.
These wide-ranging influences combine and intertwine on Burden Lake to provide us with a variety of heart-wrenching airs and fiery reels as they tell stories from both sides of the pond.
Kevin and Neil first met at Alasdair Fraser’s Sierra Fiddle Camp in California in June 2017. By January 2019, they were on their first tour together, during which they decided to take three days ‘off the road’ to create Burden Lake.
In August, the album was recorded live in the beautiful surroundings of a renovated church at Simpson Street Studios in Thropton, Northumberland. Engineered by Ian Stephenson (Kan, Baltic Crossing) and featuring Neil Harland on double bass, the album captures the electric atmosphere and energy of a live show.
Kevin Henderson said: “Neil and I were instantly drawn to one another’s music and style so making this album together was instinctual. We both come from backgrounds deeply rooted in tradition, but also love pushing the envelope so the creative process became so open. We’re really excited with the result, Burden Lake is not like anything either of us have ever produced before.”
Neil Pearlman said: “Kevin and I really enjoy making music together. It’s a very natural process and one that not only pushes us both creatively, but something that is quite a departure from other music we tend to play and record. This album was an opportunity for us to mix it up and focus on our own playing and we’re really proud of the outcome.”
Watch the promotional video below which includes the tune Sjovald, named after Kevin’s 11th great-grandfather who was a Viking of Norwegian and Swedish descent. Sjovald, which translates as ‘Sea Power’ or ‘Sea Ruler’, was shipwrecked on the island of Yell in north Shetland around 1500 and settled there. His adventurous spirit and fortitude inspired Kevin to pen the song.
Burden Lake is out on Friday 3rd July 2020 and will be available on CD and to download and stream via www.kevinandneil.com and Bandcamp. A tune book will also be available to buy.