Duets by Ben Nicholls
Ben Nicholls is an acclaimed double bassist, singer, arranger and composer. He is the bassist of choice for the UK folk scene, and his new album Duets features many of the artists he has accompanied over his 30-year career.
Duets features Nadine Shah, Cara Dillon, Sam Lakeman, Seth Lakeman, Tim Eriksen, Kris Drever, Chris Vatalaro, Fay Hield, John Smith, Martin Simpson, Sam Sweeney, Chaim Tannenbaum, Patsy Reid, Evan Jenkins and Jon Boden. Bringing his upright bass playing into focus, the album features arrangements of traditional folk songs as well as newly composed material.
“During my time as a double bass player I have been lucky enough to travel the world and play with some amazing singers and musicians. It has been a continual source of pleasure to add low frequencies to the works of artists I admire and to play my part in helping them create so many brilliant albums.
For this album I wanted to turn things around and make bass the focus, so I asked old musical friends to join me in the studio for a series of intimate duets. It was a magical journey with everyone bringing something different to the record, all held together by the voice of my old upright bass…”
Duets was mostly recorded with live takes whilst creating a film for each track, recorded wherever Ben and his collaborators could meet up, from dressing rooms to church halls, Glasgow to NewYork City.
Tracklist
Credits
I Wonder What’s Keeping My True Love Tonight
Cara Dillon and Sam Lakeman
Recorded by Sam Lakeman and Ben Nicholls
Cara Dillon-vocal, Sam Lakeman-harmonium, Ben Nicholls-bass
Trad. Arr. Ben Nicholls, Cara Dillon, Sam Lakeman
The Fire
Seth Lakeman
Recorded by Ben Nicholls
Seth Lakeman-vocal, tenor guitar, fiddle Ben Nicholls-bass, percussion
Composed- Seth Lakeman
Corydon
Tim Eriksen
Recorded by Ben Nicholls and Tim Eriksen
Tim Eriksen-vocal, bowed and stick banjo, guitar feedback Ben Nicholls-bass, vocal, percussion
Composer Charles Wesley Arr. Ben Nicholls ,Tim Eriksen
Greenland Fishery
Kris Drever
Recorded by Ben Nicholls
Kris Drever- vocal, guitar Ben Nicholls- bass
Trad. Arr. Kris Drever
Rolling Hornpipe
Chris Vatalaro
Recorded by Ben Nicholls and Chris Vatalaro
Chris Vatalaro- xylophone, percussion, electronics Ben Nicholls- bass
Trad. Arr. Ben Nicholls, Chris Vatalaro
Bloody Gardener
Fay Hield
Recorded by Andy Bell
Fay Hield- vocal, harmonium Ben Nicholls- bass
Trad. Arr. Ben Nicholls, Fay Hield
The Cuckoo
Nadine Shah
Recorded by Dan Crook and Ben Nicholls
Nadine Shah- vocal Ben Nicholls- bass, harmonium, percussion
Trad. Arr. Ben Nicholls, Nadine Shah
Down Where The Drunkards Roll
John Smith
Recorded by Ben Nicholls
John Smith- vocal, guitar Ben Nicholls- bass
Composer Richard Thompson
Flash Company
Martin Simpson
Recorded by Andy Bell
Martin Simpson- vocal, guitar Ben Nicholls- bass
Trad. Arr. Martin Simpson
Northern Frisk
Sam Sweeney
Recorded by Ben Nicholls
Sam Sweeney- fiddle Ben Nicholls- bass
Trad. Arr. Ben Nicholls, Sam Sweeney
Munchausen
Chaim Tannenbaum
Recorded by Alex Venguer at Story Sound NYC and Ben Nicholls
Chaim Tannenbaum- vocal, banjo Ben Nicholls- bass
Composer Friedrich Hollaender
Tibby Fowler
Patsy Reid
Recorded by Ben Nicholls
Patsy Reid- fiddle Ben Nicholls- bass
Trad. Arr. Ben Nicholls, Patsy Reid
Elfen Waltz
Evan Jenkins
Recorded by Ben Nicholls
Evan Jenkins- drums Ben Nicholls- bass, electric guitar
Trad. Arr. Ben Nicholls
Polly Vaughan
Jon Boden
Recorded by Andy Bell
Jon Boden- vocal, concertina Ben Nicholls- bass
Trad. Arr. Ben Nicholls, Jon Boden
Produced by Ben Nicholls
Mixed by Andy Bell at Hudson Studios, Sheffield
wwwbennicholls.net
www.hudsonrecords.co.uk
License
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Ben Nicholls
is an acclaimed double bassist, singer, arranger and composer. He is the bassist of choice for
the UK folk scene. 'Duets' features many of the artists he has accompanied over his 30-year career, such as Nadine Shah, Cara Dillon, Sam Lakeman, Seth Lakeman, Tim Eriksen, Kris Drever,
Chris Vatalaro, Fay Hield, John Smith, Martin Simpson, Sam Sweeney, Patsy Reid, Jon Boden and more.