Dan Evans - A Waltz Through the Woods (2024) [Hi-Res]

Dan Evans is one of the leading Appalachian dulcimer players, a consummate & stylish guitarist and prolific composer, specialising in nature-themed music. He plays almost exclusively fingerstyle with considerable classical skill and his unique style incorporates elements of folk, classical & jazz genres. On this new album Dan uses a number of tunings, keys and modes on the dulcimer to evoke a wide variety of moods and he plays guitar in the rich and resonant Open C tuning.

A Waltz Through The Woods is Dan’s sixth studio album, superbly recorded and produced by Angus Wallace at Far Heath Studios in Northamptonshire. Here Dan is joined again by English actress and classically trained singer Rebecca Hallworth on vocals and international Jazzman Andy Crowdy on bass, guitar and percussion. New friend and violinist Sharon Sullivan completes the line up. The much-admired artwork is by Yorkshire artist Ian Scott Massie – himself, by coincidence, a dulcimer player,

This new CD album holds seven waltzes, five folk songs, two modal dulcimer pieces, two guitar pieces and five new compositions by Dan. The fifty-minute album has nineteen tracks in total, running through the year’s four seasons. A Waltz Through The Woods was not recorded to a click track; The songs need space to breathe, some of the pieces have time signature changes and several the pieces have timing variations. There is also a general relaxation and freedom of timing in some of Dan’s music, known as rubato. Dan’s thirty years’ experience as a professional musician clearly shows in the calm, mature nature of this production.

Manufacture was coordinated by Pure Music Manufacture in Manchester, UK and the replication was undertaken by Profact International BV in Holland, Europe. The 4 page digisleeve is devoid of plastic and the card is made from 70-90% recycled board. Hardcopy and digital distribution is courtesy of The Divine Art Recordings Group to all the usual internet channels.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Dan Evans, Andy Crowdy - The Wind In The Willows (1:54)
1.02 - Dan Evans - I Have a Dream (2:27)
1.03 - Dan Evans, Rebecca Hallworth, Andy Crowdy - If I Were A Carpenter (2:54)
1.04 - Dan Evans, Andy Crowdy - April Day (3:27)
1.05 - Dan Evans - Mary (2:05)
1.06 - Dan Evans - The Banks Of The Lee (2:41)
1.07 - Dan Evans - The Water Is Wide (3:38)
1.08 - Dan Evans - The Pixies Waltz (2:25)
1.09 - Dan Evans - Sí Beag Sí Mhór (2:49)
1.10 - Dan Evans, Rebecca Hallworth, Andy Crowdy - Wings (2:47)
1.11 - Dan Evans - Tumbling Skies (3:51)
1.12 - Dan Evans, Andy Crowdy - Somewhere Over The Rainbow (2:12)
1.13 - Dan Evans, Rebecca Hallworth, Andy Crowdy, Sharon Sullivan - Like An Old Fashioned Waltz (2:48)
1.14 - Dan Evans, Andy Crowdy - Dance Of The Falling Leaves (2:01)
1.15 - Dan Evans - Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya (2:57)
1.16 - Dan Evans, Rebecca Hallworth, Andy Crowdy - Live Not Where I Love (3:46)
1.17 - Dan Evans - Silent Night (2:41)
1.18 - Dan Evans, Andy Crowdy - Auld Lang Syne (1:47)
1.19 - Dan Evans, Andy Crowdy, Sharon Sullivan - Varsoviana (3:04)