Thursday, February 2, 2012

The Unique Sound of the Psaltery



Fascinating. The modern and medieval joust across the centuries as one of the most ancient musical instruments known is paired with a synthesizer. Bob Stewart is a self-taught musician, composer and writer of over forty books on the olde magick. On this album he plays the psaltery, a 73-stringed instrument played on a table, an instrument so old even King David is supposed to have played one.

It's an interesting experience listening to this. One moment you are at the summer fete, twirling in a barley field with your sword and sandals. Then, miraculously, the heavens open up and a space ship bearing a synthesizer appears. Trippy. I would like to learn more about Bob Stewart. He seems to have other recordings available on his website. The one I'd like to hear is a recording of a ceremony involving W.G. Gray and a "team of ritualists" conducted at the Rollright Stones in the early 70s (photo above).

14 comments:

  1. oh man. i would LOVE to hear a rip of this, so up my alley.....

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  2. Definitely fascinating. If there are any more recordings from the LP that you have, I'd also love to hear them.

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  3. hi kate, hi all!
    http://www.mediafire.com/?2h10j9hw7rmbv3a

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  4. There's an opening in Belbury Poly for him !

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  5. wanted: magician/player of psaltery. facial hair preferred. no druggies.

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  6. Wow! thanks for the link. This is great.

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  7. hello - I wanted to say thank you - i subsequently found this on ebay along with another great album (raggle taggle gyspy-o) and then realised that the song uncourtly music is the same used in the vinyl adaptation of The Hobbit (also on Argo, read by Nicol Williamson) also by Bob Stewart. Lovely!

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  8. Thanks. The download link still works :)

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  9. I heard a track from "The Unique Sound of the Psaltery" on Stuart Maconie's Freakzone, went looking for the album and ended up. I'm delighted to report than 9 years later Ben's download above still works. So thanks Ben and thanks to Bob Stewart.

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