The High Peak Suite - Memories of a Cromford childhood



Next gig in the Methodist Chapel, Water Lane on Saturday 15th June at 5.00pm as part of the Celebrating Cromford Festival and sponsored by Scarthin Bookshop tickets available from Scarthin Bookshop and on the door.

A musical exploration in words and music of my formative years in the small Derbyshire village of Cromford. Not surprisingly, people, buildings, feelings, reflections, family life and events all 'appear' in the pieces and there's a little about Sir Richard Arkwright and his mills too!
The CD contains 12 tracks
. " It is a music of traditional nature tinged with a little jazz and a hint of rock fused into an exquisite blend that constantly delights and surprises" (Cross Rhythms)

"It's powered his mills and yet it trickles through our hands" - Derwent Valley Mills

The Scarthin band is:

Doug Allen - Guitar, mandolin and bazouki
Ian Bevan - Guitar and vocals
John Biddulph - Vocals, soprano saxophone, whistle, low whistle, & keyboard

Guest musician - Fiona Biddulph - Oboe & Cor Anglais

All songs composed by John Biddulph and arranged by The Scarthin Band except Derwent Valley Mills by Ian Bevan & John Biddulph. Recorded and engineered at The Shed Studio & live at The Croft, Cromford.

The High Peak Suite was first performed at the 'Celebrating Cromford' Festival.

Download an Adobe PDF with background information to all songs and instrumental pieces.

The High Peak Suite
Track listing (Extracts in mp3 format)
1. Chant for Arkwright
2. Masson Mill
3. Mill Pond
4. The Singing Miller
5. Mist on the Moor
6. The Bear Pit
7. Derwent Valley Mills (inc. the Lilting Banshee trad.)
8. Market Day - A Gallimaufry
9. High Peak Jig & Middleton Top Reel
10. He Caught a Pike
11. Steeple Arch
12. Cromford Wakes
image = High Peak Suite CD cover

The Scarthin Band- The High Peak Suite - Memories of a Cromford Childhood (available to download online at Bandcamp.com)