January had been a month where we saw a bit of light on the horizon and then it got better with the announcement that songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Marlin will release two new instrumental albums, which will be available in the coming weeks.
Witching Hour will be released on February 5 and Fable & Fire on February 19. If you have not yet been acquainted with Marlin’s solo instrumental work through his 2018 release Buried in a Cape, I can try and summarize in as straightforward a way as possible. Its instrumental music for both the types of folks who adore instrumental music and those who have not yet acquired a taste for it. His instrumental songs have a way of speaking volumes without having any words within them. A palette of emotion, place, space and vibe that in all my years of listening to instrumental records, I am yet to find an equal to.
To say there is an excitement behind a double release would be a tragic understatement indeed.
Marlin again corrals an all star supporting cast for these two collections. Returning from ‘Cape’ are Christian Sedelmyer on fiddle and Clint Mullican on bass, with some fresh blood (though no strangers to Marlin’s breadth of work) Josh Oliver on a variety of instruments, Jordan Tice on guitar and bouzouki and Nat Smith on cello.
You can hear a tune off of each below, and if these small samplings are any indication, this double release will be a delicious feast for the ears and soul.
The albums are available for pre-order on Bandcamp at the link below: