The Lady Aurora is a roots-based solo acoustic guitar album, and Stephen?s first. It contains blues grooves, Appalachian mountain tunes and a 14th century Moorish traditional maqam. Eleven of the thirteen tracks are instrumental, eight are original compositions, three are new arrangements of traditional tunes and two are adaptations of J J Cale and Simon Jeffes (Penguin Cafe Orchestra) tracks. The album was recorded with a close miked feel, with an aim of creating continuity and flow between tracks. The Lady Aurora seeks to capture the atmosphere of ?being in the room?. Nearly all tunes are inspired by aspects of nature in one way or another. Stephen?s music reflects the influence many different guitarists.
Tracks:
Part A; The Lady Aurora Suite
1. Introduction
Jim produced the Introduction using samples from the recording days to reflect the feel of the album. Jeff?s harmonics and Jim?s electronics feature prominently
2. Rising Tide
Based on a groove merging blues and celtic music. Composed at the time of the great floods of 2014. Floods were in the news again when this album was recorded
3. Shimmering Light
Inspired by seeing the Northern Lights in Northern Norway in February 2019. The album cover photo shows the beautiful eerie light as it emerged
4. The Lady Aurora
The phenomenon was described by Northern Lights chaser Kjetil Skogli as ?The Lady Aurora?. We waited several hours with him in temperatures of minus 24C to see her
5. Lama Bada Yatathanna
A contrast; this is a traditional 14th century Arabic/Andalusian love song/poem set in a modal scale (maqam) with an added bridge. The title translates ?When She Begins to Sway?. The poem states ?my beloved?s beauty is a tender branch caught by the breeze?
6. Looking Beyond
A musical imagination of the view into space
7. Daphne?s Song
A tune in memory of my mother, Daphne, who loved so many aspects of nature
8. Cosmos; Particles, Entropy and Chaos
The Universe is a combination of matter, energy and forces. The three tunes in this set were composed to reflect this
9. Muddlin? Through Boogaloo
A blues groove incorporating Latin chord changes
10. Anyway the Wind Blows (Seven)
An interpretation of JJ Cale?s song, which was based entirely on a single chord. Like the breeze it just keeps blowing down the road!
Part B; Additional Material
11. Cluck Old Hen
A traditional Appalachian song given a blues feel by Stephen and Jeff (who provides spectral harmony vocals)
12. Little Sadie/Shady Grove
Two traditional ?old time? mountain tunes combined and arranged by Stephen and Jeff
13. Music for a Found Harmonium
Penguin Cafe Orchestra?s classic tune (with thanks to Andrew Walpole for ideas on the arrangement)
