Friday 29 March 2024
 7°C   SSE Gentle Breeze
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

News / Guest releases classy EP

The artwork for Adam Guest's EP 'Open the Book'.

YORKSHIRE singer songwriter Adam Guest, who moved to Shetland last year, is launching a new EP featuring local musicians early next month.

Guest will be joined by Arthur Nicholson and Louise Thomason, who both appear on the ‘Open the Book’ EP, at Lerwick Boating Club on Friday 5 December. There will also be sets from Nicholson and Kirsty North on clarsach (Celtic harp).

The 26 year old singer, originally from Barnsley, moved to the islands in late 2013 to work as a journalist with The Shetland Times. He has swiftly become a familiar face within the local music scene, and this summer supported artists including Declan O’Rourke and Devon Sproule.

The four-song CD was recorded with the help of Lau sound engineer Tim Matthew over the summer.  It also features fiddle from Catherine Brown and bass from Phil Thornett.

It opens with the warm, breezy strum of ‘Salt in Every Breeze’. With the help of Catherine Brown’s fiddle, Phil Thornett on bass and backing vocals from Thomason and Nicholson, the song unfolds into an understated yet moving anthem extolling the virtues of relocating to these windswept shores.

The lyrics are a direct address to Guest’s immediate family, assuring them that he’s doing just fine on this isolated rock in the middle of the North Sea: “There’s hope in every word I write; the pouring rain brings me comfort in the night”.

There is a similar theme on ‘Red Rocks’, which demonstrates some nifty fingerpicked guitar as the singer imagines buying a house by the sea so he can listen to the waves crashing.

The EP’s eponymous third track is arguably its centrepiece, Guest’s distinctive Yorkshire burr melding neatly with Thomason’s as he vows to live life to the full: “Open the book, cast out the line, focus my mind; it’s time I live, it’s time I ride…”

Become a supporter of Shetland News

 

Closer ‘Lullaby’, a duet with Thomason, opens with darker undertones as the protagonist vows to protect a loved one from the howling wind and fading light. The song itself emerges from the shadows in style with a beautiful swoop-and-swoon harmony from Thomason during the solace-offering chorus.

Taken as a whole, ‘Open the Book’ is a classy, concise piece of work boasting well-constructed acoustic songs and subtle melodies, and something Guest can be justifiably proud of.

Neil Riddell

Become a supporter of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.

Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.

Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has  over 600 supporters  who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.

Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -

  • Bring you the headlines as they happen;
  • Stay editorially independent;
  • Give a voice to the community;
  • Grow site traffic further;
  • Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.

Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.

 
Categories

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Become a supporter of Shetland News

We're committed to ensuring everyone has equitable access to impartial, open and quality local journalism that benefits all residents.

By supporting Shetland News, you play a vital role in ensuring we remain a pivotal resource in supporting the community.

Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.