Tales From The Barrel House
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Seth Lakeman

Seth Lakeman Radio

General Info

  • Genre: Acoustic / Folk / Folk Rock

    Location Southwest, Un

    Profile Views: 1008486

    Last Login: 4/2/2012

    Member Since 11/10/2005

    Website www.sethlakeman.co.uk

    Type of Label Indie

  • Bio

    GRITTY SINGER-SONGWRITER'S 6th ALBUM DIGS EVEN DEEPER Celebrated folk singer-songwriter and virtuoso fiddler Seth Lakeman could not have dug deeper into his Devon roots for his 6th album, "Tales from the Barrel House". He even descended into a disused West Country copper mine to record one track! The rest of the songs on this collection were laid down in the cooperage (The Barrel House of the title), the old smithy and other workshops at the ghostly Morwellham Quay mining port on the north bank of the River Tamar. In his boldest musical statement yet, Seth has not only written all the songs, but played every musical contribution himself, as well as producing and mixing the album. His usual bow-shredding violin riffs are there, as are his driving tenor guitar rhythms, but it's the new primitive sounds he's conjured up that give this album it's atmospheric vibe. These include loads of what Seth calls "dirty viola", banjo, bouzouki, a booming bass heartbeat from an old Salvation Army drum rescued from a junkshop, and a jangling array of percussion made up from bits of old iron or discarded tools found down the mine and around the Morwellham workshops. Blissful birdsong from the idyllic Tamar Valley opens the album, before rasping viola and scraping banjo shatter the peace and raise the nape hairs as first song "More Than Money"– an evocative tale of the hardships suffered by men working underground – kicks in. Committed and unflinching, it's a call-to-arms for all labourers and artisans, setting the atmosphere for this album – solid, hard and uncompromising, like the granite bedrock of Seth's West Country stamping ground. Seth says he has enjoyed this solo project like no other. "I've been aching to do something musically experimental like this for some time, to get right back to the basics of Kitty Jay [the 'produced around the kitchen table for £300' album that shot him to fame] and beyond. To be blunt, this is a concept album I could never have done with a major label." Seth recently parted company from Relentless/Virgin Records after three albums. "I'm grateful for having worked in some of the best-equipped studios and with top producers, but with this record I feel free. I've not had A&R men looking over my shoulder or record bosses influencing me in any way. I was determined from the outset to do it as simply as possible, with just one recording engineer and as little multi-tracking and overdubbing as possible. We used just one sound field microphone. There wasn't room for much more gear down the mine anyway," jokes Seth. "But I think we managed to get the most authentic, truly 'live' sound. "I want listeners to feel they are down that mine, or in the barrel house, immersed in this living history while hearing the stories of the people who inhabit the songs. I'd like fans to literally feel the atmosphere in which the album was recorded. The theme I was seeking was to pay homage to hard-working miners, sailors, skilled craftsmen and artisans, who worked for little reward but took a pride in what they did. "It was an extraordinary freedom to explore my music in this magical valley, which is close to my Devon home. I couldn't wait to get back to Morwellham every day, it was such a unique experience. I know this set of songs may be judged as harsh and raw, perhaps challenging for some, but – for me – that's the whole point of "Tales from the Barrel House"." Challenging it may be, but this collection underlines Seth's inate knack for writing both foot-stomping, sing-along songs and more tender, thoughtful ballads. His playing is often breathtaking and Seth's trademark, soaring vocals are at the forefront of this album, as beguiling and haunting as ever. Charismatic, full of passionate energy and giving voice to people from the past, "Tales from the Barrel House" will entrance and enthrall a growing army of present-day fans and, undoubtedly, will also be discovered by lovers of heartfelt music – discerning folk – of the future.

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Bio



GRITTY SINGER-SONGWRITER’S 6th ALBUM DIGS EVEN DEEPER

Celebrated folk singer-songwriter and virtuoso fiddler Seth Lakeman could not have dug deeper into his Devon roots for his 6th album, “Tales from the Barrel House”. He even descended into a disused West Country copper mine to record one track!

The rest of the songs on this collection were laid down in the cooperage (The Barrel House of the title), the old smithy and other workshops at the ghostly Morwellham Quay mining port on the north bank of the River Tamar.

In his boldest musical statement yet, Seth has not only written all the songs, but played every musical contribution himself, as well as producing and mixing the album.

His usual bow-shredding violin riffs are there, as are his driving tenor guitar rhythms, but it’s the new primitive sounds he’s conjured up that give this album it’s atmospheric vibe. These include loads of what Seth calls “dirty viola”, banjo, bouzouki, a booming bass heartbeat from an old Salvation Army drum rescued from a junkshop, and a jangling array of percussion made up from bits of old iron or discarded tools found down the mine and around the Morwellham workshops.

Blissful birdsong from the idyllic Tamar Valley opens the album, before rasping viola and scraping banjo shatter the peace and raise the nape hairs as first song “More Than Money”– an evocative tale of the hardships suffered by men working underground – kicks in. Committed and unflinching, it’s a call-to-arms for all labourers and artisans, setting the atmosphere for this album – solid, hard and uncompromising, like the granite bedrock of Seth’s West Country stamping ground.

Seth says he has enjoyed this solo project like no other. “I’ve been aching to do something musically experimental like this for some time, to get right back to the basics of Kitty Jay [the ‘produced around the kitchen table for £300’ album that shot him to fame] and beyond. To be blunt, this is a concept album I could never have done with a major label.” Seth recently parted company from Relentless/Virgin Records after three albums.

“I’m grateful for having worked in some of the best-equipped studios and with top producers, but with this record I feel free. I’ve not had A&R men looking over my shoulder or record bosses influencing me in any way.

I was determined from the outset to do it as simply as possible, with just one recording engineer and as little multi-tracking and overdubbing as possible. We used just one sound field microphone. There wasn’t room for much more gear down the mine anyway,” jokes Seth. “But I think we managed to get the most authentic, truly ‘live’ sound.

“I want listeners to feel they are down that mine, or in the barrel house, immersed in this living history while hearing the stories of the people who inhabit the songs. I’d like fans to literally feel the atmosphere in which the album was recorded. The theme I was seeking was to pay homage to hard-working miners, sailors, skilled craftsmen and artisans, who worked for little reward but took a pride in what they did.

“It was an extraordinary freedom to explore my music in this magical valley, which is close to my Devon home. I couldn’t wait to get back to Morwellham every day, it was such a unique experience. I know this set of songs may be judged as harsh and raw, perhaps challenging for some, but – for me – that’s the whole point of “Tales from the Barrel House”.”

Challenging it may be, but this collection underlines Seth’s inate knack for writing both foot-stomping, sing-along songs and more tender, thoughtful ballads. His playing is often breathtaking and Seth’s trademark, soaring vocals are at the forefront of this album, as beguiling and haunting as ever.

Charismatic, full of passionate energy and giving voice to people from the past, “Tales from the Barrel House” will entrance and enthrall a growing army of present-day fans and, undoubtedly, will also be discovered by lovers of heartfelt music – discerning folk – of the future.

Comments

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  • Abbas Mirza

    Hello Seth....look forward to your tour.

    1 year ago
  • Keith

    Seth, went to the show in Bradford 27th Oct. Absolutely Brilliant. You could hear a pin drop sometimes when you played. The sound was crystal clear, well done !

    1 year ago
  • Keith

    Seth, went to the show in Bradford 27th Oct. Absolutely Brilliant. You could hear a pin drop sometimes when you played. The sound was crystal clear, well done !

    1 year ago
  • Jenny A

    The Holmfirth gig was great fun the other night, though it was really odd to go see you somewhere that wasn't devon! Please if it's possible come to play in Sheffield at some point, there a few people here that want the chance to see you after hearing me rabbit on about how good you are live!! :D

    1 year ago
  • Ines K.

    Thanks for a great show in Berlin last night! Loved it!!! Hope your tour continues to be a blast for everyone! Cheerio, Ines

    1 year ago
  • Ilonka Normann

    Thanks for the amazing gig in Cologne! Im sitting here and writing some stuff for university and in my breaks I hear a little bit of "Hearts & Minds"...a wonderful album ;-). Hope to see you next year in Germany!

    Greetings,

    iLO

    1 year ago
  • Dieter Carstensen

    Dear Seth Lakeman.

    today I take the time, to give you a feedback to your new album "Hearts and Minds" which was so impressing for me, that I wrote a rezension for it on amazon Germany for it. You'll find it in german language with this link below the advertisement for your CD - http://www.amazon.de/Hearts-Minds-Seth-Lakeman/dp/B003TEJTSS/ref=cm_aya_orig_subj It was a pleasure for me, to publish this.

    Keep on playing, yours, Dieter from Cologne area, Germany

    The english translation of the rezension, done by automatically translation program:

    "Seth Lakeman is no stranger to the folk scene. Five previously published albums, numerous awards and a growing fan base speak for themselves.

    With his new album "Hearts and Minds", a "great success" Seth Lakeman succeeded my opinion.

    Lakeman mastered very well the traditional folk style, his latest album shines but just through the combination of the traditional folk with the elements of modern rock music.

    The penetrating significantly, connected with the virtuoso mastery of his favorite instruments Vioala fiddle and banjo dictate the mood of the album concise melodic voice of the artist.

    The title track "Hearts and minds", a protest against the mismanagement of the banks, which also suggests how music can bring together people in times of crisis, is conspicuous by its wummigen Drumlines, dirty bass and violin angefetzte almost worlds in the background, which still is the formative element of this piece, where the voice always, perfectly balanced and mixed, remains in the foreground.

    The hymnal-style song "The Watchman" and his Ode "Hard working man" are two more outstanding titles of this album that tell something of the content have without also only partly flat, as well as a pleasure are musical for me.

    In short, for me, Seth Lakemans work the album of the year, listening is pure, ideally suited to sing along and Groove. I

    1 year ago
  • Indra Eindhoven

    Pictures of Carus & Seth performing @ Ride Bar: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=467799&id=43541985322

    1 year ago
  • Noelle O Sullivan

    Great energy!

    1 year ago
  • Role Model Cats

    i love ur tunes and think im off to see you wen you paly in Holmfirth :) cheers for the add and cheack me out and tell me what you think if you can be botherd. oh and anyone who wants just add me and i will cheack out your stuff :)

    1 year ago
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