English and American Country Dance Music - All instruments are played by DAVE BROWN.
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The tunes recorded on this CD are an example of the sort of music being played for English and American country dances at this end of the 20th cent. Some are traditional, meaning that no-one really knows who wrote them, and, because they are popular, they are played by many musicians. Some are new and reflect the fact that the country dance tradition is alive and creative on both sides of the Atlantic.
Over the last few years I have been privileged to have played with, danced to, and listened to, some of the finest folk dance musicians in the world. They have been experiences which I will treasure for the rest of my life. I have learnt from these encounters that, although the form of the music and dance are inextricably linked, the melody is only a transient part of the music we play.
After 20 years of playing English and American Country Dance music, this recording is a reaction from me which says "experiment", "try something new". This album is an experiment and, for me, it is something new. I have tried to avoid the strict metronomic style of the Scottish band, and the "Um-pah" of the English band. This is a symbiosis of my existence in a world which is influenced by Swing, Ragtime, Rock, Jazz, Debussy (!!), and a myriad of indefinable desires and wishes. At this point my American friends would begin to wax lyrical about the harmony between music and the soul transcending national boundaries. I'm not going to do that. I'm just going to say that I enjoyed the experiment, played the tunes I wanted to play, and took great pleasure in creating this "English" dance recording.
Dave Brown Woollas Hall, Worcs., England, April 1997.
Gingerbread and Moonshine Playlist
Now Released! A great selection of Waltzes composed by Dave for an ever widening series of events and occasions.