Ultra-modern medieval worldfolk
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All the buzz of a rocket-powered Morris Minor competing in an F1 race - David Gordon, the Hendrix of the harpsichord, takes on Adam Summerhayes, concerto-violinist turned ultra-modern electric fiddler ... The Lightning Thieves.
Whether it's with electronic loops, enchanted melodies or supercharged grooves, expect Celtic to go Klezmer, or a Finnish folk song to meld with an old English favourite.
Sounds that have cast a spell for centuries morph into distortion and explode with creative energy. This unique writing/performing team creates remarkable new instrumental effects in this – their latest and most unexpected output – a brand-new project of specially written originals.
Enter a parallel musical universe where home-grown tunes, stark Scandanavian melodies, a blues version of a Rumanian wedding dance and medieval pop tunes might co-exist.
The BBC described their last joint musical collaboration as “a dramatic, riveting and even sexy listen”. This crackling electric cosmos is their most exciting project yet - and displays their lightning virtuoso skills to the full.
Check out some tracks here - or go to the bottom of this page for video
I first remember suggesting this to Dave on a tiny plane leaving Kodiak Island, Alaska, between fog banks - on a morning when only our plane got to the island. Jets couldn’t land (or get through the fog? I forget), but because this plane was old, slow, and had propellors, it was successful.
Anyway, after a short silence, DG gave the requisite “Let’s do it” - and the long process began.
We have collaborated for some years on various projects - and I can’t imagine respecting any musician more highly. That said, his towering moment of genius was loitering with his heavily loaded trolley under the “NO MEAT - NO FISH” sign halfway through Gatwick customs. His large polystyrene box frozen Alaskan halibut was conspicuously positioned on top and clearly labeled with the word FISH all over it in large red letters.
“The Lightning Thieves” arose fully fledged in my mind; getting our ducks in a row took a little longer.
Anyway, after a short silence, DG gave the requisite “Let’s do it” - and the long process began.
We have collaborated for some years on various projects - and I can’t imagine respecting any musician more highly. That said, his towering moment of genius was loitering with his heavily loaded trolley under the “NO MEAT - NO FISH” sign halfway through Gatwick customs. His large polystyrene box frozen Alaskan halibut was conspicuously positioned on top and clearly labeled with the word FISH all over it in large red letters.
“The Lightning Thieves” arose fully fledged in my mind; getting our ducks in a row took a little longer.