Courting the Widow, by Nad Sylvan

Courting the Widow

by Nad Sylvan

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	1.	Carry Me Home 07:20
	2.	Courting the Widow 06:13
	3.	Echoes of Ekwabet 09:41
	4.	To Turn the Other Side 22:06
	5.	Ship's Cat 05:05
	6.	The Killing of the Calm 05:33
	7.	Where the Martyr Carved His Name 07:45
	8.	Long Slow Crash Landing 06:45

about

Nad Sylvan‘s 'Courting The Widow' is his first solo record since 2003's 'Sylvanite'.
“I suppose 'Courting The Widow' is conceptual, and has a storyline running through most of the songs. But it's not actually about the widow in that title. It really concerns my stage persona, the Vampirate, and his journey on a ship, during which he does meet the widow in question.”
“This is very much a symphonic album. However, there are funky touches in there as well. You will hear hints of classic Motown. Because I like to mix things up. As far as I'm concerned that's what you should be doing if you want to be progressive, surprising people and doing the unexpected.
Apart from his distinctive vocals, Sylvan also plays most of the keyboards and the guitar parts on the album. However, there are also guest contributions from some stellar names. Steve Hackett, for instance, appears on three tracks. On one of these, 'Long, Slow Crash Landing', he and Sylvan get to perform a duet.
Roine Stolt also guests on guitar for one track, while Roger King (another member of Steve Hackett's band) plays piano on two songs. Three more musicians associated with the Hackett band are also featured. Bassist Nick Beggs has a cameo role on five songs here, while Rob Townsend is present on saxophone and flute for three tracks. And Gary O'Toole plays drums on one. Former Jethro Tull man Doane Perry is the drummer on three other songs, and Nick D'Virgilio (who has worked with Spock's Beard and Big Big Train) is behind the kit for three more numbers.
Norwegian violinist Annbjørg Lien and acoustic guitarist Lars Drugge, the latter a close friend of Sylvan, also made important contributions to the final album.
'Courting The Widow' is an album of which Sylvan is very proud. It weighs in at just around 70 minutes, and the man himself believes it's the perfect representation of where is he is right now, both creatively and artistically.

credits

released October 16, 2015

Line-Up:
Nad Sylvan - lead & backing vocals, guitars, keyboards

Guests on the album:
Steve Hackett - guitar
Roine Stolt - guitars
Nick Beggs - bass, backing vocals
Jonas Reingold - bass
Nick D'Virgilio - drums
Gary O'Toole - drums
Doane Perry - drums, percussion
Annbjørg Lien - violin
Lars Drugge - acoustic guitar
Rob Townsend – flute& tenor sax
Jade Ell - backing vocals
Skrut - vocal and purring

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