The Cage – Bob Holroyd -U.K. Multinstrumentalist
Sometimes an album just strikes the right chord with you! Such is the case with The Cage the new release from U.K. master sound manipulator and musical space-shaper Bob Holroyd. The first time I listened to the album, I knew it was for me. Subsequently it has been the soundtrack for my morning yoga and meditations. And every time I listen to it I hear something new!
Holroyd Explains The Cage
Holroyd states the premise behind The Cage is: “Freedom is a larger cage, a longer page, a wider stage. True freedom comes not from escape, but allowing everything in”
Additionally, Holroyd relates: “I have been in therapy for a while now, and the main influence on this album has been the process of allowing things to be discovered, even to myself.” This is where the use of the cage came from.
“The Cage” is where I have subconsciously imprisoned myself emotionally for years. By keeping out negative emotions I have felt safe, but ultimately made myself unapproachable to others and myself. I had this idea that I read of trying to escape this cage, I should enlarge it to include all emotions feelings experiences and people. I found that if Everything is in “the Cage” then I am more free than if I were keeping all influences out”
About The Cage
The Cage is eclectic to say the least. Holdoyd takes the music to unexpected places touching down in the realms of ambient, new age, modern classical, chill and a ante-garde. In other words he is musically including EVERYTHING!
On The Cage Holroyd plays piano, synthesizers and electric guitar. There are also some special guests who help out on the album: cellist Peter Gregson, bassist Lawrence Cottle, horn player Kevin Robinson and guitarist Craig Joiner.
Rather than going into the recording studio with a set of well rehearsed and fine-tuned ideas, Holroyd used an organic approach in developing the tracks.. He recorded what felt right on each day! Holroyd says: “it took a long time to finish some tracks, but I found it incredibly liberating to do only what immediately felt right at that moment without the constraints that I have put myself under in the past.”
Bottom Line
The bottom line is no matter how the sonic experience of The Cage was created, what was created gets five stars from me.
Final Thoughts
Now with that being said, I confess, I never heard of Bob Holroyd before listening to this album. But after reading about his musical career, I have discovered that a diverse array of sights and sounds from around the world have influenced his music. His travels throughout Africa and Asia have greatly influenced his music. An example are the Intense walls of percussive drumming found on the cult club classic “African Drug” .
While delicate atmospheric soundscapes abound on the beautiful “Looking Back”, which was created for the “Sanscapes” project. The piece highlights the plight of the Kalahari Bushmen.
Likewise, he also recorded the Islamic Call to Prayer at Regent’s Park Mosque. Holroyd wrote a moving dramatic piece around the haunting vocal by Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens)
So check out The Cage. As for me, I am going to explore Holroyd’s eclectic back catalog!
Links for the Further Exploration of the Music of Bob Holroyd
Artist’s Website
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Here’s is the Video for “Inner Mind Sigh” the opening track of The Cage