Ben Nicholls - Duets (2024) [Hi-Res]

Ben Nicholls is an acclaimed double bassist, singer, arranger and composer. He is the bassist of choice for the UK folk scene, and his new album Duets features many of the artists he has accompanied over his 30-year career.

Duets features Nadine Shah, Cara Dillon, Sam Lakeman, Seth Lakeman, Tim Eriksen, Kris Drever, Chris Vatalaro, Fay Hield, John Smith, Martin Simpson, Sam Sweeney, Chaim Tannenbaum, Patsy Reid, Evan Jenkins and Jon Boden. Bringing his upright bass playing into focus, the album features arrangements of traditional folk songs as well as newly composed material.

“During my time as a double bass player I have been lucky enough to travel the world and play with some amazing singers and musicians. It has been a continual source of pleasure to add low frequencies to the works of artists I admire and to play my part in helping them create so many brilliant albums.

For this album I wanted to turn things around and make bass the focus, so I asked old musical friends to join me in the studio for a series of intimate duets. It was a magical journey with everyone bringing something different to the record, all held together by the voice of my old upright bass…”

Duets was mostly recorded with live takes whilst creating a film for each track, recorded wherever Ben and his collaborators could meet up, from dressing rooms to church halls, Glasgow to NewYork City.