James Yorkston, The Second Hand Orchestra – The Wide, Wide River () [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

James Yorkston, The Second Hand Orchestra – The Wide, Wide River ()
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 39:51 minutes | 427 MB | Genre: Alternative, Indie
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Domino Recording Co

The album came to be after the blossoming of a long-term friendship between James Yorkston and Karl-Jonas Winqvist, the Swedish music producer, leader and conductor of The Second Hand Orchestra. Recorded and mixed in Sweden over the course of three days with a selection of musicians Winqvist had brought together, including Peter Moren (Peter, Bjorn & John), Cecilia Osterholm (one of Sweden’s best-known nyckelharpa players), Emma Nordenstam (piano & cello) and Ulrika Gyllenberg (violin). The studio approach with The Second Hand Orchestra was entirely improvised around Yorkston’s songs, and the only song they heard in advance was “Ella Mary Leather”; Yorkston didn’t want to direct anyone too much but instead, allowed for a welcoming, instinctive, free-spirited and joyful atmosphere. The Wide, Wide River is a soothing, warm and sublime listen, whilst also highlighting Yorkston’s skills for songwriting, collaboration and as a musical conductor. The record takes in past loves, advancing age and friends, now gone, whilst also containing some of the most sanguine songs Yorkston has ever made.

Tracklist:

1-1. James Yorkston – Ella Mary Leather (03:05)
1-2. James Yorkston – To Soothe Her Wee Bit Sorrows (07:34)
1-3. James Yorkston – Choices, Like Wide Rivers (02:45)
1-4. James Yorkston – Struggle (06:35)
1-5. James Yorkston – There Is No Upside (06:42)
1-6. James Yorkston – A Droplet Forms (03:47)
1-7. James Yorkston – A Very Old-Fashioned Blues (05:07)
1-8. James Yorkston – We Test The Beams (04:12)

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