The album 'Seasons of Change' finds its roots on an eighteen-month journey across England undertaken by fiddler Tom Kitching. On the way, his notes became the 'Busk England' blog, and in due course a book entitled 'Seasons of Change: Busking England' followed. The album and book detail his experiences and the stories behind the tunes he picked up and wrote on his travels in his native country post Brexit referendum.
Exploring the new political landscape, Kitching explains:
It’s about people, place and that elusive beast – Englishness. Fiddling through the streets of England offered a key to finding out how the English view themselves and how they deal with change – perhaps never more pertinent than now.
Presented with renewed vigour and energy, classic compositions ‘Old Molly Oxford’, ‘Greensleeves Morris’, and ‘Bean Setting’ will be familiar to folk music aficionados, but such is the strength of Kitching’s choice of modern compositions is that they sit seamlessly alongside the older established material.
Original tune ‘Infinite Espresso’ is a direct reference to his experience in a Harwich cafe, ‘In-Store Bakery’ feels like a modern homage to the working-class and ‘Belt-Driven’ a tribute to industrial heritage long lost to the service economy.
The album was recorded at the 19th-century Danebridge Methodist Chapel in the Staffordshire Peaks, and features guest players Marit Falt (from female trio Vamm) on Nordic mandola and cittern, and Jude Rees on English border bagpipes.
If there is a message in the music inspired by Kitching’s epic busking journey, then the album is clear proof that music and people only get the best out of each other then they get together instead of choosing to isolate
‘Seasons of Change’ is an enjoyable album full of classic folk jigs, polkas, and hornpipes mixed with hints of baroque and Celtic influences – all underpinned by outstanding, vibrant, and driven musicianship.
Bundle deals on the book and CD or vinyl are available now at TomKitching.co.uk.