RHODRI DAVIES: pedal, electric and wind harps
JOHN BUTCHER: saxophones - acoustic & amplified
In performance with quadraphonic playback, pre-recorded by Chris Watson.
"Routing Lynn is a document of a remarkable collaboration between John Butcher and one of his regular collaborators, Welsh harpist Rhodri Davies, with whom he also performs as part of the Common Objects collective.
In January 2014, the duo decamped to the wilds of Northumberland (and Newcastle), and the music they recorded there was captured by legendary sound artist (and ex-Cabaret Voltaire member) Chris Watson.
The results were then performed live at Sage Gateshead, blending all these strands into the single slab that is Routing Lynn. The process sounds convoluted, but the results are never less than coherent, with both performers shining over the course of a single 35-minute stretch. The music is inspired by the landscapes, but not intrinsically of it: Davies has a fascination with cup and ring marked stones, but Routing Lynn never falls into the trap of airy-fairy mysticism, instead allowing Butcher and Davies, two of Britain's most intrepid improvisers, another setting in which to battle with their instruments and each other."
From "The Quietus" by Joseph Burnett.
“Spectral voices flash and flare across the cup and ring marked carved rocks of Routing Lynn. In an acoustic modulated by sandstone, moss and birch, saxophone animal squeals and Aeolian strings create a contemporary landscape which merges seamlessly into the ancient”
(Chris Watson).
credits
released October 5, 2018
Chris Watson recordings of Davies/Butcher and environments at:
Discovery Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne (2/1/14).
Routing Lynn, Northumberland (3/1/14).
Museum recordings re-diffused at Routing Lynn (20/1/14).
Concert recorded by Simon Reynell at AV Festival 2014, Sage Gateshead (14/3/14).
Quadraphonic editing and mixing: Phil Begg.
Concert recording editing and mixing: John Butcher.
Commissioned by AV Festival 2014.
Thanks to: Rebecca Shatwell, Diana Stevenson, Lewis Watson, Maggie Watson and AV Festival.
The uncertainty of the next moment and the perfect choice of expression, intensity and tension. This record is not only of historical value, it is the equivalent of seeing a phenomenon that has never been seen before. A fundamental thing. jiristepan
This stunning, beautiful project from Fujian duo Southeast of Rain 东南有雨 blends field recordings with rippling notes from the pipa. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 8, 2021
Not your average free improv blow-out, this is lyrical, inventive & intelligent. Mellow and beautiful enough to appeal to a wide range of ears. The recording is fantastic with a lovely room ambience. Rory C