Trackways Ancient & Modern is the third and final volume of unreleased material from across our archives, featuring eleven tracks, mostly instrumental, which focus upon the studio based experimentation which has always run parallel with The Memory Band’s acoustic output.
The album begins with a brand new recording Frogs (Mariners All) an arrangement of a traditional melody inspired by the musical magic of frogs.
The second track Electric Avebury is named after an episode of electrical irregularities encountered after a visit to the infamous stones.
There follows a brief instrumental interlude of The Poacher an out-take from the Apron Strings sessions.
Next is After Cowslips There Come Roses a slower and lower version of a track released on a seven inch single by Static Caravan, built around a traditional lyric sung by Nancy Wallace, the keyboard arrangement was inspired by listening to Ravel's Le Gibet Next up is Albions' Daughter (analogue mix) a stripped down mix of a track from our album Colours inspired by the writings of William Blake.
Track 6 is The Wearing Of The Horns (ghost mix) an alternative version of a track from On The Chalk (Our Navigation Of The Line Of The Downs) based upon an ancient drinking song sung by apprentices at the legendary Weyhill Fair.
The Bold Grenadier (ambient version) is a different take with gentler orchestration of Richard Rodney Bennett's traditional arrangement from the 1967 film Far From The Madding Crowd. This was recorded during the sessions for our album A Fair Field.
After which comes Birdlife A new composition featuring recorders from Liza Bec and original field recordings.
Track nine is Children Of the Stones (portal mix) a stripped down trance mix based around piano parts by ECM recording artist Fred Thomas.
Then comes London (City Of Cranes) a new composition inspired by the city in which I live featuring piano from co-composer Fred Thomas.
The album closes with Against Our Laws Contrary (trio mix) Another out-take from the A Fair Field sessions.
