MIKE WALKER - Ropes
Madhouse 002
Mike Walker (elg, kyb, pc)Iain Dixon (cl, ts, ss); Ben Holland (vn); Jennifer Langridge (clo); Les Chisnall (p, elp); Gwilym Simcock (p); Steve Rodby, Rob Mullarkey (elb); Steve Watts (b); Adam Nussbaum, Myke Wilson, Steve Gilbert (d); Paul Allen (pc); Psappha strings, conducted by Clark Rundell
Recorded Cumbria, Manchester and Halifax, date unknown, possibly 2015
Guitarist Mike Walker has long held a reputation as being one of Manchester's finest, and has evolved over the years through extensive touring and playing as simply one of the finest anywhere. In an impressive career t date he has performed in a duo partnership with fellow guitarist, Stuart McCallum, the NDR Big Band and with The Printmakers featuring Nikki Iles and Norma Winstone, and not forgetting The Impossible Gentlemen that has featured US heavyweights Steve Rodby and Adam Nussbaum who are both heard on this rather special album.
It is therefore incredulous to believe that is only Walker's second album as leader, the debut recording, Madhouse And The Whole Thing There was released in 2008 to great critical acclaim, and the seeds for this album where also sown in the same year from a commission from the Manchester Jazz Festival. So all in all ten years in the making from inception to completion, and it has to be said that Ropes is definitely worth the wait.
Of course during throughout we get to hear some of Mike's wonderful guitar playing, he gets to stretch out on 'Ropes Movement 2 - Knots', but the real joy in the album is the sheer breadth of the writing and arrangements for the strings, performed by the Psapha Strings. Those familiar with the guitarist's work will recognise some of the compositions from the debut album that have re-arranged and re-worked, with the opening track 'Still Slippery Underfoot' having been reprised this time for piano, cello, clarinet and strings and is a beautiful way to begin the set. There is also another outing for 'Wallenda's Last Stand' from the first Impossible Gentlemen album with superb contributions from Iain Dixon on soprano saxophone and violinist, Ben Holland. Other notable contributions are heard from pianists Gwilym Simcock, who is exceptional on 'Devon Bean', and Les Chisnall who is astonishing throughout.
Having said that, however, it is not a set that is reliant on individual soloists to make its impact, but more on how the album works as a whole. Recommended unreservedly!
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Madhouse 002
Mike Walker (elg, kyb, pc)Iain Dixon (cl, ts, ss); Ben Holland (vn); Jennifer Langridge (clo); Les Chisnall (p, elp); Gwilym Simcock (p); Steve Rodby, Rob Mullarkey (elb); Steve Watts (b); Adam Nussbaum, Myke Wilson, Steve Gilbert (d); Paul Allen (pc); Psappha strings, conducted by Clark Rundell
Recorded Cumbria, Manchester and Halifax, date unknown, possibly 2015
Guitarist Mike Walker has long held a reputation as being one of Manchester's finest, and has evolved over the years through extensive touring and playing as simply one of the finest anywhere. In an impressive career t date he has performed in a duo partnership with fellow guitarist, Stuart McCallum, the NDR Big Band and with The Printmakers featuring Nikki Iles and Norma Winstone, and not forgetting The Impossible Gentlemen that has featured US heavyweights Steve Rodby and Adam Nussbaum who are both heard on this rather special album.
It is therefore incredulous to believe that is only Walker's second album as leader, the debut recording, Madhouse And The Whole Thing There was released in 2008 to great critical acclaim, and the seeds for this album where also sown in the same year from a commission from the Manchester Jazz Festival. So all in all ten years in the making from inception to completion, and it has to be said that Ropes is definitely worth the wait.
Of course during throughout we get to hear some of Mike's wonderful guitar playing, he gets to stretch out on 'Ropes Movement 2 - Knots', but the real joy in the album is the sheer breadth of the writing and arrangements for the strings, performed by the Psapha Strings. Those familiar with the guitarist's work will recognise some of the compositions from the debut album that have re-arranged and re-worked, with the opening track 'Still Slippery Underfoot' having been reprised this time for piano, cello, clarinet and strings and is a beautiful way to begin the set. There is also another outing for 'Wallenda's Last Stand' from the first Impossible Gentlemen album with superb contributions from Iain Dixon on soprano saxophone and violinist, Ben Holland. Other notable contributions are heard from pianists Gwilym Simcock, who is exceptional on 'Devon Bean', and Les Chisnall who is astonishing throughout.
Having said that, however, it is not a set that is reliant on individual soloists to make its impact, but more on how the album works as a whole. Recommended unreservedly!
Reviewed by Nick Lea
