Hurdy-gurdy player Nigel Eaton has shared a new tune called Great North Wood. Nigel list of collaborations is impressive: Afro Celt Sound System, Loreena McKennitt, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant (see below), Scott Walker, Bombay Bicycle Club, Martin Simpson (True Stories), Moya Brennan, Robert Plant, Maddy Prior, June Tabor, Silly Sisters and more. He was also a member of Blowzabella and Whirling Pope Joan (with Julie Murphy of Fernhill).
Of the tune, he says, “a new tune (reckon it’s a schottish just for a change)”. For all the hurdy-gurdy players out there, he adds, “this hurdy-gurdy is made by Pajot Jeune; the accompanying vielle is another Pajot Jeune and a Chris Eaton Double keyboard. Tuning is as a d french tuning but with a G gros bourdon d chanters in octaves, d trompette, g mouche, g bass drone.”
In case you were wondering how he sounded with Page and Plant, this is a recording from Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, Irvine California 1995, which was also released as a DVD. Gallow’s Pole never sounded so great, he stole the show.
If you’ve not heard Nigel’s 2002 album Pandemonium, then I highly recommend that you check it out.
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