The Welsh band known as Amser have
released their latest LP record, “Crochan.” The album is composed
of 11 original tracks, mainly instrumental but also with vocals, for
an approximate total listening time of 50 minutes. It has been
proudly published on the Bricsan independent music label without the
support of corporate music entities. Steeped in the music tradition
and spirit of Wales, yet with contemporary frills and a bluesy, jazzy
undertone, “Crochan” by Amser is a record unlike any other from
the heart of the United Kingdom.
“Crochan” by Amser (which mean
'Cauldron' and 'Time,' respectively) is a record which equally holds
its own as fare for the serious music aficionado, or as a pleasing
backdrop for social events, studying, or virtually any circumstance
in general. This versatility is at least partially due to the
aforementioned jazz attributes with which Amser embellishes their
mode of folk music, which at its core is the modern folk sound of
Wales.
Amser cite as main
artistic influences a great list of beloved songwriters and
instrumentalists, many of them from the ranks of guitar innovators
like Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel, jazz greats like Miles Davis,
Celtic and British folk players like the Chieftains and John
Renbourne, and classical masterminds such as Steve Reich, Bohuslav
Martinu and Igor Stravinsky. The Rolling Stones also make the list,
which accounts for the quirky and creative nature of “Crochan”'s
delightfully surprising tracks like “No Shoes Blues” and “Life's
a Riddle.”
The soul of Amser is
guitarist Dave Stephen, a Welsh rock sculptor working largely with
slate at his workshop in North Wales. He has been performing music
for over 40 years and writes his own songs, often with fellow
collaborator Gareth Moriarty and the occasional other. Asked to
comment on Amser and their new “Crochan” record, he writes:
“This album
('Crochan') is the second by Amser. We specialise in mainly
instrumental, self-penned pieces with a Celtic backdrop, although
with all sorts of different influences. 'Crochan' also contains two
songs with vocals, which is a new element.”
He closes his note with a
simple mission statement.
“We play for the
joy of playing.”
“Crochan” by
Amser is available online worldwide.
-S. McCauley
Lead Press Release Writer
www.MondoTunes.com
“Crochan” by
Amser –
Website -
davestephen.com
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