Owen Spafford, Louis Campbell - 102 Metres East (2024) [Hi-Res]

review
After the improvement of technical instruments, the Greenwich meridian was moved exactly 102 meters east of its original location, passing through the famous Royal Observatory, to a place where it crosses an area of woods and bushes close to the historical building. This episode, an example of how very important things can be moved into unexpected places, was the source of inspiration for the title of Owen Spafford and Louis Campbell’s new EP.

The beautifully crafted arabesques the Yorkshire-born fiddler and the London guitarist can create are presented here in a very intimate form, as the album was recorded in a single take in just a few hours. From the first note of the opening track Pop Goes the Weasel, they interweave their instruments, exploring a wide spectrum of emotions and musical landscapes, moving through the shared ground of traditional, minimalistic and chamber music.

Though relying heavily on tradition, their sound and style, characterised by some enticing changes of pace, can meet the tastes of younger generations. Proving that folk music is one of those things that, despite the changing times, cannot really be pushed aside. Spafford and Campbell have taken another step forward in their artistic journey; the hope is to have more of this eclectic mix in the next years.

Michele Mele

Tracklist:
1.01 - Louis Campbell, Owen Spafford - Pop Goes the Weasel (7:00)
1.02 - Louis Campbell, Owen Spafford - Curlew (8:52)
1.03 - Louis Campbell, Owen Spafford - 102 Metres East (5:21)