Arch Garrison is essentially a solo project of North Sea Radio Orchestra's Craig Fortnum although he is joined here by NRO's James Larcombe (Philicorda organ, mono synth and piano) and also duets with his wife Sharron on one track (O Sweet Tomorrow).
Fortnum's gently melodic acoustic songs are celebrations of the chalk downland of Southern England with songs about trekking on high ground (Where The Green Lane Runs) and wandering along the Ridgeway Trail (The Oldest Road).
In a fragile voice he sings of wandering ancient pathways, resting under trees and in this carefree mood even manages to find poetry in electricity pylons. "I'll walk and I'll walk all the day and I'll sleep out all night", he sings on the title track.
Taking its title from John Bunyan's hymn He Who Would Valiant Be places the record firmly in the English pastoral tradition although it's not entirely Anglocentric. Guitar instrumentals Vamp 1 and Vamp 2 testify to the influence of the repeated African modal style of Ali Farka Toure.
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This is a record that revels in the simplicity of its theme and delivery and is designed to put a spring in your step.
Who knows, it might just entice listeners to dust of their walking shoes and head for the hills!
Arch Garrison's website
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