Review of CD The Visit

Review of the CD, “The Visit”, from Folk Bulletin

THE VISIT, Phil Holland and Dave Palmley LMCRecords, 2011

That this album has the same name as Loreena McKennit’s album from 1991 is pure coincidence, given the great difference in atmosphere and inspiration between the two works, and the comparison is not necessarily in the favour of the more famous Canadian artist. Phil Holland, the harpist, violinist and singer we have already written about previously. In 2008 we reviewed her interesting solo album “Faeries”, in which we noted her delicate touch in the plucking of her harp strings and the movement of her violin bow and the evocative timbre of her voice. Now she is back in the company of Dave Palmley, who is also a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, tin whistle, mandolin, bass and voice) and they have founded a duo which is stylistically minimal and intrinsically energetic. The energy undoubtedly comes from Dave’s numerous folk-rock experiences which fuse beautifully with Phil’s more classical and melodious style. The repertoire is a fine balance of traditionals and originals, all written and arranged by Phil and Dave together, displaying creative coherence and excellent merging of styles. As a duo Phil and Dave perfectly complement each other, giving us moments of true charm in a subtly vintage style. Clean sounds, sincere inspiration and a pinch of nostalgia: “The Visit” is without a doubt one of the revelation albums of this year…

Contact: lmcrecords2011@gmail.com

Enrico Lucchesi 

clicca qui per leggere la recensione in Italiano

LIVE al Calisto cafè

Una serata intima e rilassata al Calisto Cafè con Phil e Dave.

Suonando brani dal nostro ultimo album The Visit e tanti altri pezzi tradizionali ed originali.

Speriamo di vedervi numerosi!!

INGRESSO LIBERO

Giovedì, 31 Marzo, alle ore 21.15

Calisto Cafè, VAILATE

Via Manzoni, 2

Vailate ( tel. 036384077 )

An intimate and relaxing evening of Celtic music with Phil and Dave at the Calisto Cafè, Vailate.

Playing pieces from our latest album The Visit alongside many other traditionals and original compositions.

Hope to see you there!

 FREE ADMISSION

Thursday, 31st march, 9.15 PM

Holland and Palmley do Status Quo!

Just for fun...an oldie from Status Quo that's had plenty of covers in its time...and we thought it was crying out for the Holland and Palmley treatment!!!

Phil: Celtic Harp, Violin, Vocals and Keys.
Dave: Guitar, Vocals, Bass and Perc.

Hope you have as much fun listening to it as we had recording it...
and it's great fun to perform live too...happy and up-beat!
Rock on...or should we say...Folk on!!!

Steal Away Our Soul

Steal Away our Soul

Written and performed by

Holland and Palmley

This piece was originally inspired by the native north American people and their loss of land and cultural identity, but it is really in homage to all people of all races and creeds wherever they may be in the world, past, present and future, who suffer the indignities of invasion and oppression.

Phil: Celtic harps, Violins, Voices and Piano.

Dave: Guitars, Voices and percussion.

This will be on our forthcoming album, to be released later this year.

 More news to follow.

Climbing Pendle

This piece was inspired by Pendle Hill in Lancashire (UK).
The hill is an amazing place, shrouded in mystery and with many tales to tell.
Its strong, spiritual presence has been felt by many and has also been a source of inspiration throughout the ages.
Pendle Hill's etymological root would seem to indicate that it uses three separate words all meaning hill....therefore Pendle Hill really mans Hill Hill Hill!!!!
The story of The Pendle Witch Trials is the best known example of alleged witchcraft in English history.
We loved writing and recording this piece and feel very close to it...we hope you enjoy listening.

Track List for "The Visit"

 1. BRAVE WARRIOR I and INTO BATTLE JIG (original: HOLLAND/PALMLEY)

 2. BAIDIN FHEILIMI (Trad: arr by HOLLAND/PALMLEY)

 3. WHISKEY IN THE JAR (Trad: arr by HOLLAND/PALMLEY)

 4. THE DOYLES' BIG DAY OUT IN DUBLIN (original: HOLLAND/PALMLEY)

 5. THE VISIT (original: HOLLAND/PALMLEY) (Trad: arr by HOLLAND/PALMLEY)

 6. THE CLARE JIG and FROM THE NEW COUNTRY (Trad: arr by HOLLAND/PALMLEY)

 7. SHIP WITHOUT ANCHOR (original: HOLLAND/PALMLEY)

 8. THE BUTTERFLY JIG (Trad: arr by HOLLAND/PALMLEY)

 9. BONNIE DOON (Trad: arr by HOLLAND/PALMLEY)

10.THE HILLS OF CONNEMARA (Trad: arr by HOLLAND/PALMLEY)

11.THE 24 CARROTS JIG (original: HOLLAND/PALMLEY)

12.MY HOUSE (original: HOLLAND/PALMLEY)

As you will see, "The Visit" is made up of 6 traditionals and 6 original compositions.

Some of the tracks on this album can be heard by following the youtube links or clicking on the various images on this blog.

The Lyrics to the original songs follow:

MY HOUSE

I’d build my house

On the shifting sand

By the water’s edge

In a far off land.

I’d build my house

With dreams and words

And shifting shapes

And the wings of birds.

I’d build my house

With songs and poems

And sharp salt sea

And mermaid foam.

I’d build my house

With lemon grass

And honey-combs

And flowers of glass

And there I’d dream

With eyes open wide.

And never again

Would I want to hide.

Will you come with me?

Will you hold my hand?

Will you walk in the mist?

Will you walk on the sand?

And there we’ll dream

With eyes open wide.

And never again

Will we want to hide.

Will you walk with me

To the rainbow’s end?

Where our house there stands

In our far-off land.

SHIP WITHOUT ANCHOR

Sailing out over the ocean

Spreading out boldly

As free birds we see

Finding homes in faraway places

There's just but one place where I want to be

Chorus: Land of the brave or lands of glory

I'd give them all up for the want of a dream

But without me sup and a place to be earning

a ship without anchor is what I'll remain

The leaving was easy, I'd soon be cruising

I'd conquer the mysteries of life and the booze

But returning back home would not be my choosing

The good life was there I had nothing to lose

Chorus:

Roll on the waves roll on tomorrow

There's a good paying job that's bound to be had

And with a few bob you can drown all your sorrows

With new friends and money I'd never be sad

Chorus:

Well I've drifted along through rough seas and weather

The storms of my life have gathered round me

But I've mastered it all now I want to tether

my roots to my homeland and settled I'll be

Chorus: