{"title":"James Yorkston, Nina Persson and the Second Hand Orchestra","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"the-great-white-sea-eagle","title":"The Great White Sea Eagle","description":"\u003cp\u003eJames Yorkston, Nina Persson and The Second Hand Orchestra release \u003ci\u003eThe Great White Sea Eagle\u003c\/i\u003e, the follow up to James Yorkston and The Second Hand Orchestra’s \u003ci\u003eThe Wide, Wide River\u003c\/i\u003e - a Guardian Top 10 Folk Album of 2021.   The record didn’t start life as a follow up; in early 2021, Yorkston began visiting his studio in Cellardyke, Fife and for the first time, starting writing songs on the piano as opposed to his usual guitar as he gazed upon the sea outside his window. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e  After sending the first five or six songs to Karl-Jonas Winqvist (the ringleader \/ conductor of TSHO), they began to discuss working on the music together. With Yorkston’s shift from guitar to piano, they thought about what other changes they could make to their process which led to the involvement of a guest singer and the legendary Nina Persson (The Cardigans) was brought into the fold. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e  They followed the same methodology as \u003ci\u003eThe Wide, Wide River\u003c\/i\u003e – apart from James, Nina and KJ, none of The Second Hand Orchestra had heard the music prior to entering the studio – and the arrangements were made up on the spot. Yorkston summarises: “Everyone who was playing in The Second Hand Orchestra, in their own way they are all unique and colourful players. There was no-one there who didn’t know what to do. I would bring them the songs, we would start one - I would play it, and second time round people would start singing and playing, and by the time we had done it three or four times we would hit record and we would be ready to go. And the thing that they all had was the ability to give each other space and to come up with their parts based on what other people were playing naturally was a very quick process, and they were all so open, nobody was egotistical. Everything was just happy. I love the wildness in it.” \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhilst there is a lightness in sound to \u003ci\u003eThe Great White Sea Eagle\u003c\/i\u003e, there is a dark humour throughout and the album conveys a rich message about life and grief, family and nature. James’ song for Frightened Rabbit’s Scott Hutchison, “A Sweetness In You”, being one such moment.   \u003ci\u003eThe Great White Sea Eagle \u003c\/i\u003efollows the release of Yorkston’s second novel The Book of the Gaels, recently declared Book of the Month in The Times.  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Domino","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50389768503627,"sku":"2000025","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Green | LP","offer_id":50389768896843,"sku":"2000026","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50389768307019,"sku":"2000024","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/The_Great_White_Sea_Eagle_a8e7cf3f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726371270"},{"product_id":"death-maybe-your-santa-claus","title":"Death Maybe Your Santa Claus","description":"\u003cp\u003eSecond Hand's classic second album \u003ci\u003eDeath May Be Your Santa Claus\u003c\/i\u003e from 1971 stands as a remarkable example of progressive\/psychedelic rock, rivalling the likes of Arthur Brown, Hawkwind, and Van Der Graaf Generator. This 2023 remastered edition by Prof. Stoned revitalises the album, showcasing its diverse and challenging musical styles and ingenious studio effects. From organ-led incantations to heavenly harmonies and experimental elements, this heavy proto-prog gem offers a unique and unpredictable listening experience. The included 12-page booklet provides album and band history, along with rare photos, offering additional insight into this influential release. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Think Like A Key Music","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50393733431627,"sku":"376616","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50393733661003,"sku":"2049768","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/9a119f88-7083-44b5-9273-aece493c0ef1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726424962"},{"product_id":"reality","title":"Reality","description":"\u003cp\u003eSecond Hand's groundbreaking debut album \u003ci\u003eReality\u003c\/i\u003e from 1968 is a captivating journey into experimental psychedelia that defies categorisation. A true hidden gem of the era, revered by Pete Townsend of The Who, \u003ci\u003eReality\u003c\/i\u003e continues to break free from the monotony, offering an authentic and highly unique musical experience even well over 50 years after its initial release. The album is lyrically biographical and thematically unified, weaving an intricate and compelling sonic narrative. It pushes the boundaries with its ‘kitchen sink’ production, employing ambitious techniques of the era such as backward tapes and treated vocals and instruments. The 2023 edition of this under-appreciated gem boasts a fantastic upgrade in sound quality, thanks to the skillful remastering by Prof. Stoned as well as an informative 12-page booklet and restored artwork and photos. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Think Like A Key Music","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50393734742347,"sku":"1154692","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50393734938955,"sku":"2049766","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/e4e26073-41f3-4f0c-b677-20a9555cac50_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726424996"},{"product_id":"roaring-the-gospel","title":"Roaring The Gospel","description":"\u003cp\u003eothers may have arrived at folk music with an eye on low cost forms of self-expression or as access to an encounter group where a battered guitar and an ability to wail ensure you of an in; but james yorkston has always kept his own counsel. indeed, it's almost as if the current vogue for all things acoustic has finally caught up with what those in the know have been hearing james yorkston do for years - beautiful, understated, heart warming songs. over three albums of flinty grace: 'moving up country' (2002) 'just beyond the river' (2004) and 'the year of the leopard' (2006) yorkston has established a canon as singular and intimate as any current songwriter. 'roaring the gospel' is a collection that complements the diffuse and tender tone of the studio albums with a slightly more open and ramshackle feel. this collection is a welcome rattle bag of laments, cover versions and traditionals that reveal the side of yorkston that would happily sit in on a high-spirited ceilidh, or woozily join on the harmonies at one of the fence collective's legendary homegames. it also demonstrates yorkston's blood deep understanding of the dynamics of folk music, storytelling, and singing your life even as it unfurls around you. a native of fife, yorkston was an integral early member of the fence collective whose reach across contemporary music continues to lengthen: king creosote, the aliens, kt tunstall. all the above share fence roots and a shackles-off mentality with yorkston. on tracks such as 'sleep is the jewel', 'the hills and the heath' and 'the lang toun' the instinctive dynamic understanding yorkston shares with his band the athletes, especially drummer faisal can be heard in full flow. the subtle shape shifting of yorkston's arrangements are played seemingly, on whatever comes to hand and whatever it is at hand it always sounds fine and apposite. banjo \/ bouzouki \/ fender rhodes \/harmonium \/ mandolin \/ concertina \/ clarinet. fine ingredients for a fine stew. carrying everything is yorkston's rich voice and wry lyric, which always manages to sound hopeful and pessimistic at the same time. yorkston's ruminations on love \/ lust \/ longing \/ liquor share a more eternal, resigned, celtic feel with the battered reflections of jacques brel, shane mcgowan and bert jansch than any of his contemporaries. 'roaring the gospel' is a collection that reads like a late night tale that gets embellished with every telling; and reflects james yorkston at his most carefree and careworn.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50410003562827,"sku":"283225","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/84b2fc71-2e4e-4651-ba23-9f1c01d60f91_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726634094"},{"product_id":"the-year-of-the-leopard","title":"The Year Of The Leopard","description":"\u003cp\u003eConfounding genre expectations as ever, \u003ci\u003eThe Year Of The Leopard\u003c\/i\u003e saw James Yorkston write a truly beautiful album, allowing his sparse instrumentation to be produced by former Talk Talk member Paul Webb, giving the album a warm-but-not-too-cosy feel. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Domino","offers":[{"title":"10\" | x2","offer_id":50417356636491,"sku":"276175","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50417356931403,"sku":"276176","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP","offer_id":50417357029707,"sku":"2028857","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/The_Year_of_the_Leopard_79c3024e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726727257"},{"product_id":"the-book-of-the-gaels","title":"The Book of the Gaels","description":"\u003cp\u003eRural West Cork, Ireland. 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It also tells of Fraser's love for his children's dead mother, as hidden within the battered suitcase is Fraser's heart-breaking collection of poems - The Book of the Gaels.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"oldcastle books","offers":[{"title":"Paperback - 1150038","offer_id":50465213645131,"sku":"1150038","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/f97438c5-67cb-4ade-b218-0461c7f9827d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727283091"},{"product_id":"animal-heart","title":"Animal Heart","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of Sweden's biggest, brightest stars as the lead singer for the Cardigans, Nina Persson, releases her first solo album under her own name. This is the first solo release from Nina, and her first album since she, Niclas Frisk and Nathan Larson released 'Colonia' as A Camp in 2009. The Cardigans have not released an album since 'Super Extra Gravity' in 2005. 'Animal Heart' was written and produced by Nina along with her husband film composer and novelist Nathan Larson (A Camp, Shudder To Think) and Eric D. Johnson (The Shins, Fruit Bats).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lojinx","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50471018266955,"sku":"370836","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a3271a8f-0347-4828-9e09-329ebb54dcdc_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727388081"},{"product_id":"the-route-to-the-harmonium","title":"The Route to the Harmonium","description":"\u003cp\u003eRough Trade Albums of the Month - March 2019\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGentle fluttering sounds cascade through the speakers spilling notes from guitars and strings while tremulous vocals croon and sweep.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJames Yorkston’s latest album is produced by James himself alongside David (FKA Twigs \/ Caribou \/ Frank Ocean) Wrench. It was recorded in a loft in Cellardyke on instruments collected by James including dulcitones, harominiums, autoharps and (of course) a nyckelharpa.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMuted dreamy brass swims like a woozy half-awake hangover. 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The album came to be after the blossoming of a long-term friendship between James Yorkston and Karl-Jonas Winqvist, the Swedish music producer, leader and conductor of The Second Hand Orchestra.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThat communal feeling is apparent across the entire album. Recorded and mixed in Sweden over the course of three days with a selection of musicians Winqvist had brought together, including Peter Morén (Peter, Bjorn and John), Cecilia Österholm (one of Sweden’s best-known nyckelharpa players), Emma Nordenstam (piano and cello) and Ulrika Gyllenberg (violin). The studio approach with The Second Hand Orchestra was entirely improvised around Yorkston’s songs, and the only song they heard in advance was \u003ci\u003eElla Mary Leather\u003c\/i\u003e; Yorkston didn’t want to direct anyone too much but instead, allowed for a welcoming, instinctive, free-spirited and joyful atmosphere. \u003ci\u003eThe Wide, Wide River\u003c\/i\u003e is a soothing, warm and sublime listen, whilst also highlighting Yorkston’s skills for songwriting, collaboration and as a musical conductor. 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