Next Time Around
Hilary Bell
Big Sky
Released: 2006
Catalogue Number: BS 125
Barcode: 5060046811256
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High Quality AudioThe tracks on this album are available as both standard 192k mp3 files, high quality 320k mp3 files and CD quality FLAC files. The price is the same for all formats. You can choose your format after you pay and are ready to download.
Stevie Lawrence, (the producer) first came across the vocal talents of Hilary Bell at the end of 2000.
Tom Roseburgh had just moved to new premises in Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders and Hilary's
"Breaking all the Rules" album was to be the first product to come from his Big Sky Studios.
His role in that particular project was to add some string instruments to a couple of tracks, and
thus began a long working relationship with Big Sky, which has involved him in many recording and
performance projects.
When Tom approached him early in 2005 to produce Hilary's new album he jumped at the chance. He had never produced a voice like Hilary's before and as she usually works as a solo artist or with ace accordionist Ian Lowthian, he knew that a considerable amount of preparation and pre-production would be necessary as Hilary's repertoire covers classical, blues, French and trad. as well as more contemporary material.
They started throwing around ideas for songs in the summer of that year looking at Hilary's solo
repertoire, her material with Ian and her traditional songs. He also had found material that I thought
Hilary could do justice to.
He already had an idea of the sound HeI wanted on this album, aiming for a consistent sound on each track giving the album a "band" feel, so choice of instrumentation and musicians was going to be
all important in the shaping of the overall sound of the album.
Hilary and Stevie began working through songs using only voice, guitar and bouzouki and it became clear that Hilary's guitar style would be a major part of some of the arrangements, also some of the songs would clearly benefit from simple uncluttered arrangements. But there were still some tracks he
wanted to arrange with a big sound while still using acoustic instruments.
Many of the songs chose themselves as they are a strong part of Hilary's performance repertoire
and they stayed faithful to these arrangements, adding new colours and textures where necessary
for the recording.
Choice of musicians and instrumentation is always important, especially behind vocal performances.
Ian Lowthian was the obvious first choice having worked with Hilary for a number of years.Then they looked to Tom’s band "Real Time". Iain Anderson added classic touches of fiddle on some of the tracks with Kenny Speirs and Judy Dinning handling harmonies and backing vocals. The bottom end was provided by Wendy Weatherby's sensitive word-painting on the cello and Brian Shiels' excellent double bass.
So, a new Hilary Bell album, which has something for everyone and will be enjoyed by her fan base old and new.
Hilary Bell with Iain Anderson, Judy Dinning, Stevie Lawrence, Angus Lyon,Tom Roseburgh, Brian Shiels, Kenny Speirs, Wendy Weatherby