Music from Holy Vale

at the heart of st. mary's ... at the heart of the isles of scilly ... lies holy vale ...

Evocative and mystical, this hour long suite has been inspired by the elm wood at holy vale in the isles of scilly.

The music, like the wood, is both light and dense; easy to listen to, but full of surprises.

The usual structures of 'song' and 'composition' have been gently set aside in favour of a rich tapestry of melody, harmony and subtle rthymn that flows through the different sections of the work, uniting it as a whole.

The natural sounds of mandolin, recorders, piano, percussion and voice, are enhanced by birdsong from holy vale, and careful use of electronic keyboards and reeds.

Released on compact disc in may 1999

"I first experienced the wood at Holy Vale in the spring of 1995. I was immediately overwhelmed by the atmosphere, and sense of deep mystery and stillness that seemed to pervade the place - as wild and dense as the exquisitely twisted and gnarled trees themselves.

I found myself spellbound. Resisting the will of the narrow path to carry me through the trees and back into the more familiar open terrain of Scilly, I sat on a convenient root and just breathed the place in - deeply.

Two and a half years later, I returned to the same spot, before dawn’s first light, to capture the sounds of Holy Vale. The birds that can be heard at various points in the music and between the tracks were recorded on that occasion.

It has taken a further two years to bring the project to fruition, but here it is. For me, the expression of Holy Vale and my experience of it are here.

Should you ever visit the elm wood at Holy Vale, in the middle of an island, floating somewhere in the sea, I feel sure that you will understand."

Rick