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Version 2: Tales from Midsummer Fair

by The Evolving 9th Hour

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about

...Here we go the second edition of The Evolving 9th Hour' (or second version) entitled 'Version 2: Tales from Midsummer Fair' is here. I was very pleased with 'Version 1' as an introduction to the project but 'Version 2' takes it to a completely new level. To use the analogy of a garden, 'Version 1' was a bit wild at times but 'Version 2' has a lot more of a balance with variations,dimensions a little tidier with the sound quality much improved also.

The single 'Melody Fair' really is the key to this album, a bit like the picture on a jigsaw box. The single is included as a bonus track (re mastered by Sean Horsefield) at the end of the album and it might be worth listening to it first, as it really makes sense of 'Version 2'. This single 'sounds' very different to the relaxing chill-out of the rest of the album however.

As before The Evolving 9th Hour' is a one hour chill-out trip, which develops from version to version reinventing itself with a new set of themes as it goes... Drug free, and children friendly in fact for anyone really who wants to relax and slow down in the 9th hour, which is the hour before we sleep at night!

Ok there are a couple of mantras in the music but there in NO religious connection, they just sound amazing to me and a great way to end the project...

Before I talk much more about the new album in these sleeve-notes I'd like to say a big thank you to all of the people who have have contributed to the music/production. This album simply the best piece of music I have been involved with but it has been the contributions from Jade Lune, Sean Horsefield, Noam Chomsky and Nick Horsefield who have taken it up to that level. The astronomer Raja (Puragra) Guha Thakurta all being well with be featured on 'Version 3'. I would have included the reading by Michael Caine of Rudyard Kipling's poem 'If' in the list but up until now (the release date!) I have not received an official confirmation of his permission to use the reading. Having said that his management/agent have not 'refused' permission either, so luckily the poem remains on the album as its brilliantly delivered in my view. There is a fairly insignificant error in the reading (only one word) but the passion of the delivery of the poem is so awesome, I am/was reluctant to change it.

As I said this album is a real 'Grower'. The sounds and production are subtle. If you want music that's pumped with additives for a first time listen this chill-out album is NOT for you. It takes a fair bit of listening and builds carefully and slowly throughout the hour.


This project (and particularly the new album) is produced in a very different way to most music these days. Although its fun making up compilations incorporating already released tracks by established artists (I still do that all the time, and great Dj's do it brilliantly) what can get lost occasionally within this method of music making is the flow of a great 'album' by a band or an artist. There is a continuity, or a story that can come across on some albums that often gets lost when albums are pulled apart. I find it easier to explain using the film viewing experience. example I doubt many people would have rated 'The Deer Hunter' as a great film if it ended after the first hour, but that first hour gave sense to the rest of the film.
That's the way the Evolving 9th hour is structured, as a full hour experience. Having said that the hour is split into tracks (10 in the case of this album) and there's no reason why these tracks can't be woven in to radio shows and live Dj sets. That has already happened several times with good effect in shows like BBC Radio Lancashire's 'On the Wire', and Pat Lydons community radio shows in Ireland among others and a big thanks to them all the people who continue to support The Evolving 9th Hour in this way!

Now a track by track breakdown of the album taken from the original Soundcloud postings...

Track 1 – Once Upon a time in a Dream.

So here is the start of the hour of chill-out, 'Track 1' ...for my friends with young children !

...Musically fairly conventional this first track and VERY different from some of the other tracks on the album, a gentle introduction with a revolving music box refrain that hopefully sends any young children to sleep so the adults (might!) get a chance to finally chill-out?! :)

...originally the 'theme' of the album was that all the 10 tracks were 'relaxing' segments each with themes beginning with the letter R... but then later that theme morphed into a soundtrack to some sort of otherworldly medieval fair... so I suppose it became a bit of both really... but of course that's all just a bit of fun, in the end its just an hour long chill-out.

But 'R' IS FOR 'REPUNZEL' on this track though (The children's story) ...so I suppose some of the theme remained!

Story reading (By Bob Neufeld) with a big thanks to Librivox who are doing a sterling job producing audio books in the public domain.


Track 2 – Bells Mist and Twine (Ft Jade Lune)

A big thanks once again to Jade Lune for some great work on this one. The track is dedicated to Jade and her boyfriend Jan, as it is R for ROMANCE from the original 'exciting' theme of chill-out tracks/words beginning with R!!

This one is all about about musical 'textures' and Jades music blends in excellently here.

Track 3 – Sea Chimes into Spring (Ft. Michael Caine reading 'If' By Rudyard Kipling)

'If' by Rudyard Kipling read by Michael Caine is MAGNIFICENT here. Probably one of the few poems I actually like and hopefully you will be able to erase from your consciousnesses the 'parody' advert that is doing the rounds at the moment, although its just a bit of fun I suppose...

Track 4 – Wave Emerging Wave

VERY different from the previously posted 'rough edit' and developed from a track recorded at Kingston University a year or so ago.
More of a 'computer' processed sound this one but hopefully it retains the 'organic live feel' that we are all trying to bring to the project.
Its not 'neat' like some electronic music and its NOT suppose to be'
Both tracks 3 & 4 were themed 'R for RELAX'...


Track 5 – A Crystal Stream Rising.

...VERY organic and 'live' sounding this one, once again developed from a piece written at Kingston University...

Like track 2 this is all about developing textures...

Track 6 – Waiting for the Sun.

'Waiting for the Sun' has 'more' segments from 'Melody Fair' mixed into it than any other track from the album I think, although the snippets from the track can be found all through the album.

Track 7 – The Floating Spiral Planetary Station (Ft. Noam Chomsky)

I am honored, and most grateful to Noam Chomsky who took the trouble to answer my emails and rubber stamp some dialogue of his that is the center piece of this track. Noams ability to express himself in such a clear and honest way helped me to make the transition from the well meaning (but sometimes ranting!) expression of my past band 70 Gwen Party (Back in 1999 when we first corresponded) to the more calm and contemplative expression of 'The Evolving 9th Hour', and hopefully that has been reflected in this track. A truly great man.


Track 8 – Rejuvenate and Regenerate

More of meditative interlude between tracks this one and once again mixed to fit into the full hour of music (on the forthcoming album) rather than to be played on its own.

Track 9 – Into the Light (Ft. Sean Horsefield)

Dynamic and trippy. Great work from Sean Horsefield on this one, with Sean's guitar really the centerpiece of the track, both in its writing and recording.
Once again the idea is to keep a spontaneous 'live' feeling to the recordings. The music is NOT meant to be over 'neat' or 'airbrushed'. This may mean the tracks take a few listens to enjoy but I think the effort is worth it. Like I've said many times it has often been these contributions that have been the most successful parts of the album.

Track 10 – R is for Rejoice.

I do like mantras!. I don't really understand how they work or why many of them are so relaxing and soothing but words like 'hallelujah' (used on this track), 'love' and the 'Hare Krishna Mantra' just seemed to have an amazing relaxing meditative effect. I'm not suggesting all mantras work like this or that these will work for you, but they do sound great to me and and a mantra seems a good way to end the project!

Bonus Track – Melody Fair (Remastered by Sean Horsefield)

The original single. Like I said above, this track, (although a conventional song) is sort of the key to the album. Every Version of 'The Evolving 9th Hour' will have a single that REPRESENTS the album. On Version 1 it was 'Seaside Shine', this time it is 'Melody Fair' Thanks to Sean Horsefield for doing such a great job of re-mastering this.

That's all, but if you like what you hear please visit 'The Evolving 9th Hour' official website, Facebook page or Simon Horsefield's Soundcloud page for more sounds and information.

Simon

credits

released October 17, 2018

All Titles written by S Horsefield
Except: Track 2 - Lune/Horsefield
Track 7 - Horsefield/Chomsky
Tracks 9 & 11 - Horsefield/Horsefield

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The Evolving 9th Hour London, UK

"The 9th Hour" is the hour before sleep each night.

The Evolving 9th Hour seeks to highlight and enhance this hour with the use of gradually evolving chill-out music...

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