All in a week’s work for Richard Durrant

Richard and the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

Before heading to the northern reaches of the British Isles Richard Durrant popped in at a certain birthday party at Buckingham Palace… All in a week’s work for Richard Durrant!

Richard was invited to play with the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain at last week’s birthday party for HRH Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace. The sun shone, the music echoed around the palace gardens and Prince Charles was delighted.

Richard at Buckingham Palace

Richard at Buckingham Palace

A few days later with his new album Stringhenge finished Richard headed north and called in at Peter Tyson Audio/Visual in Carlisle to have a listen to his work on one of their high-end audio systems. He was suitably reassured. The recordings have now been mastered by Ian Shepherd with the lacquer cutting and vinyl mastering done at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London. Stringhenge the double album is now at the pressing plant and due any time now for delivery.

Richard checking out the master

Richard checking out the master

So what is Stringhenge the double album all about?

Well, Part 1 is all solo music played on the bog oak concert guitar, the tenor guitar and the ukulele. Works by Bach and Durrant mixed in with British Folk melodies.

Part 2 is called The English Guitar Hymnal and is mostly Durrant originals including three songs. But there is also a track based on the Elgar cello concerto played on tenor guitar, harpsichord, chamber organ and bodhran.

Richard says: This is the most personal album I have ever made. It is both high art and low art, Christian and Pagan, summer and winter.’

To record The English Guitar Hymnal Richard played a variety of guitars, double bass, cello, shruti box, harpsichord, organ and ukulele. Unusually he also takes lead vocals on the three songs. He is also joined by friends Howard Beach on harpsichord & organ, Piers Adams on recorders, Stephen Hiscock percussion & drums, Nick Pynn fiddle & dulcimer plus a host of voices and the Sompting Village Morris!

Stringhenge

Stringhenge

So here’s a track from side one…

The Stringhenge tour began last Friday at a packed St. Magnus Cathedral, Orkney. It was attended by fans from all over the UK. 

Richard and the ‘Stringhenge Peloton’ are now cycling south for nine more concerts at significant places on the British landscape.

Richard will be appearing live on BBC Radio 3’s breakfast programme from The Big Oak in Sherwood Forest as a special programme for Midsummer’s Eve. He will be performing at St Mary’s Church in the forest as part of his Stringhenge Tour.

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The album will arrive in three weeks or so. All advance orders are greatly appreciated as this is a self funded, independent project. Just click on this link to order your copy of the double album on Vinyl or CD. Mastering quality audio downloads (96-24) will soon be available and the album will also appear on i-tunes and Spotify etc.

ORDER YOUR COPY OF STRINGHENGE THE DOUBLE ALBUM

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