HELD BY TREES – HELD BY TREES

Description

eld by Trees is a new instrumental project featuring some of the most respected musicians in the British rock fraternity. Sitting between post-rock and prog, the outfit, led by David Joseph, release their debut album, Solace. Boasting seven veterans of the seminal latter Talk Talk and Mark Hollis solo albums, other contributors include Tim Renwick (guitar – Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Eric Clapton), Mike Smith (sax – Blur, Damon Albarn, Gorillaz), David Knopfler (guitar – Dire Straits founding member), Gary Alesbrook (trumpet – Noel Gallagher, Kasabian, Super Furry Animals) as well as parts from blues/roots legend, Eric Bibb, Dutch rising-star, Just, and ambient composer, Unknown Replica.

After establishing themselves with pop hits such as ‘It’s My Life’ and ‘Life’s What You Make It’, Talk Talk, led by Mark Hollis and producer, Tim Friese-Greene, broke new musical ground with their seminal album, Spirit of Eden (1988). Three years later they returned with Laughing Stock. Part of that creative process was to invite musicians they respected in to improvise on their arrangements. Guitarist Robbie McIntosh (Paul McCartney, The Pretenders, John Mayer), drummer/percussionist Martin Ditcham (Chris Rea, The Waterboys, Nik Kershaw), bassist Simon Edwards (Michael Jackson, Billy Bragg, Fairground Attraction) all took part in those sessions, and have now contributed to Solace. A solo record from Mark Hollis followed in 1998 which featured pianist Lawrence Pendrous, and flautist/clarinettist Andy Panayi, both of whom have also now played for Held By Trees. Solace was made using a similar approach with David Joseph inviting musicians to improvise over his rhythm patterns and chord progressions. Blending in his own spontaneous compositions and field recordings made in Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset, the result is a unique album that carries the DNA of the seminal Talk Talk records, and yet stands in its own identity.