To show a bit of Southern Hemisphere solidarity with Jeff Weir (who has been getting a bit of flack for having the temerity to discuss non-Excel matters on an Excel blog), I’m bringing forward my next Bach instalment.
This post is guaranteed 100% Excel free.
Salthouse are a new Scottish group who have just released their first album, although the group members are all established musicians on the Scottish folk and jazz scenes. The first link is from their first concert, which looks like it was held in a rather small shoe box.
Update 28 Mar 2014: This song is based on a poem by Lord Byron, but incorporates a number of other works, as listed at Salthouse.bandcamp:
From Byron’s classic poem of 1814, mixed with a few words of prison poetry by Scottish / Australian Bushranger / Highwayman / Bankrobber James Alpin McPherson (1842-1895) finished off with 3 verses from Ewan’s pen.
Verse 1 & 2 – G.G. Byron
Verse 3 – James Alpin McPherson
Verse 4 – 6, chorus and music – Ewan MacPherson (MCPS & PRS)
‘Berneray’ – Lauren MacColl (MCPS & PRS)lyrics
She walks in beauty, like the night,
Of cloudless climes and starry skies,
And all that’s best of dark and bright,
Meet in her troubled eyes.Waves in every raven tress,
Softly lighten o’er her face,
Lost but lined as ever strong,
Smiles from days of goodness spent.And it’s down, down my lovely down
And it’s down, down my lovely down
And it’s down, down my lovely down
To the darkness deep and ever old.Never a stone will sound tonight,
Beneath my horse’s lonely tread.
His sire was of the purest race,
That ever yet was born and bred.Was not by silver stream we met,
Nor by rolling wave unseen.
I spoke she knew my only name,
I never gave it free or loud.Then as I neared her on the track,
Her eyes looked ever into mine,
And wild as only weather knows,
She stole my heart and I her life.So perfect my life shall never be,
And never a love can hold for me.
Whenever I look into the dark,
Her graceful form is near me still.
And here is the full text of the Byron poem:
She walks in beauty, like the nightOf cloudless climes and starry skies;And all that’s best of dark and brightMeet in her aspect and her eyes;Thus mellowed to that tender lightWhich heaven to gaudy day denies.One shade the more, one ray the less,Had half impaired the nameless graceWhich waves in every raven tress,Or softly lightens o’er her face;Where thoughts serenely sweet express,How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,The smiles that win, the tints that glow,But tell of days in goodness spent,A mind at peace with all below,A heart whose love is innocent!
The second piece is a “Setting Sun”, with a more spacious location:
Newton Excel Bach, not (just) an Excel Blog 
Good on ya, Cousin 🙂
I’ll check this out. You done one for Pokey LaFarge yet? Saw them in Wellington the other night. Must write up a music review for the blog…
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