A totally unique blending of jazz, Scottish folk, Indian, and classical genres…
Paul Towndrow – Deepening the River – Keywork Records #KWRCD014 – 56:10 – CD- 2021 – ****1/2
( Paul Towndrow – alto saxophone & flute – Tom Walsh – trumpet, flugelhorn;Sean Gibbs – trumpet, flugelhorn; Neil Yates – trumpet, flugelhorn; Tom MacNiven – trumpet, flugelhorn; Phil O’Malley – trombone; Rick Taylor – trombone; Michael Owers – bass trombone, sousaphone; Martin Kershaw – alto & soprano sax, clarinet; Rachael Cohen – alto sax; Konrad Wiszniewski – tenor sax; Bill Fleming – baritone sax; Alyn Cosker- drums & percussion; Steve Hamilton – piano; Euan Burton – double bass; Miro Herak – vibraphone; Ross Ainslie – Border pipes, Highland Pipes, Low whistles, Bansuri; Adam Sutherland – fiddle; Laura Wilkie – fiddle; Greg Lawson – fiddle; Sodhi – tabla, vocals, harmonium; Tom Baxter – additional guitar)
One of the joys of reviewing and listening to “new” music is to experience something so different and intoxicating that you must share the new discovery with others with the hopes that they, too, will marvel and “spread the word.”
Such is the case with Scottish saxophonist Paul Towndrow’s CD, Deepening the River. Released in 2021, its eleven tracks are a suite written for a 24 piece ensemble of musicians from around the world. And here it gets interesting- the suite blends traditional folk, jazz, Indian, and classical into a mix that is so unique, like a new recipe that everyone should try, but no one has done before.
Paul’s inspiration is quite potent and heavy- that he hopes “could become a powerful musical analogy, bringing together themes of hope, recovery, potential, social, cultural, and industrial history, movement of people, exchange of ideas, combined with a deepening of thought, tolerance, and understanding.” It was influenced by three rivers-The Clyde in Scotland, The Mississippi, and The Ganges. Perhaps as these rivers flow, so do musical genres merge and share their power for those with open ears, and open hearts?
Opening with “Emergo,” the inspiration and power of such a large group of world musicians is immediately felt- horns soar to a crescendo, the tabla enters as do the strings. A feeling of elation is present as the “world tour” begins. “The Deepening” follows, and Ross Ainslie’s Border Pipes bring us to Scotland leading the march. Throughout this track and all through the near hour of this journey so much is happening that you wish you were in an European concert hall to get the full aural ride. Check out “Wildfire,” “Loyalty to Neptune,” and “The Tontine Heads,” and you will get the roller coaster ride.
“Hamsadhwani,” and “Bunce Island” soften the mood with world folk influences, with the Bansuri and Sodhi’s Indian vocals on the former, and the fiddles merging with Miro Herak’s vibes on the latter. An old timey jazz hall pays a visit on “Second Line for Rick,” with Tom McNiven’s muted trumpet and the fiddles adding to the vibe, Scotland meeting New Orleans…
“The Tontine Heads” is full blown big band jazz, and Towndrow shows his alto sax prowess. “Waltz for the Forgotten” `is a gentle elegiac track, and the merging with “Deeper Still” adds to the mournful introspective mood. Ross Ainslie returns with his Highland Pipes on the closer, “The Long Recovery” as our rivers journey comes to an end.
Paul Towndrow has taken us on a healing, hopeful round the world adventure. I’m ready to sign up for any upcoming Towndrow musical “stews.” Those with “open ears” should not hesitate to come along…
—Jeff Krow
Paul Towndrow – Deepening the River
Tracklist:
Emergo
The Deepening
Wildfire
Loyalty to Neptune
Hamsadhwani
Bunce Island
Second Line for Rick
The Tontine Heads
Waltz for the Forgotten
Deeper Still
The Long Journey
