nicksmetcalf.com - Musician, Artist, Instrument maker

We are excited to announce the new musical project by Nick Metcalf - "Out of the Ashes" The project has a great supporting cast of fantastic musicians including all Ireland Champion Caitríona Lagan on Banjo and Mandolin, Ben Grossman on Hurdy Gurdy, Zac Léger on Button Accordion, Bouzouki, and Guitar, Julie Cameron-Hall on Violin, Rick Metcalf on Electric Guitar, and Gerardo Hernandez Cortes on Duduk.  

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Here are some reviews of the album:

'Out of the Ashes' is the timely new offering from whistle-maker and multi-instrumentalist Nick Metcalf, who weaves a beautiful tapestry of Celtic folk and world music, taking the listener on a captivating and healing journey:  From cinematic soundscapes to haunting lament; foot-tapping Irish jigs to intimate piano and whistle melodies - this album is never predictable but often joyful and full of gorgeous playing. Nick's low whistle improvisation on 'Lament for the Lost', reminiscent of Davy Spillane's best work, is a fine example of the heartfelt vision of this project, as is his choice of international supporting cast, whose skillfully weaved layers are the  delicious icing on the cake. I can thoroughly recommend stepping 'out of the ashes' into the refreshing beauty of Nick's instrumental landscapes."

~Nigel Cameron, Celtish / Sounds of Wonder Music

 

“Quite beautiful. It strikes me that the music recordings lend themselves very well to film music.” 

~Cormac Breatnach

 

"Out of the Ashes" is an amazing, lavishly orchestrated collection of multi-instrumental music that is all at once energizing, meditative and epic in scope. It's Celtic overtones evoke evocative, etherial imagery that could be a motion picture soundtrack or enjoyed in a meditative capacity. Wonderful!" 

~Steve Behrens

 

“Very nice! Love the production values and the very full, almost epic movie soundtrack it evokes. My faves upon first impression are Staying Home, The Piper's Folly, Lament for the Lost (chills on that one), and At the Gates. Congrats!!”

~Susan J. A. Ritta (Celtic music radio show host)

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"Great! Big production, well done

~Ross Ainslie

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"This album is a series of soundscapes built around the central pivot of the whistle.

Each track has its own narrative, with the melodies intertwining with well sculped sound envelopes that create mood and texture. The pace ebb’s and flows throughout, with slower and ethereal sounds melding with pacier melodies, jigs and reels. 

There are a host of top-class supporting musicians who in the main add to the faster paced tunes, giving those sections a new sound and even a reminiscence of great night at a session. The sound of the Dudek is a nice surprise as is the lovely haunting fiddle. 

You could pick tracks to suit your mood at any given time. There are meditative themes that would sit nicely in the air as you calm your mind from a busy day, through to rousing, even electric guitar and drum driven rhythms that could stir you into action. 

There are tracks that on their own would sit well within a soundtrack for film media and would help create the backdrop to either energise or calm a scene.

There is a lot to listen to here and each track can stand on its own. Your choice of which to listen to and when will be determined by the factors of your day, the place, the time and of course your mood." 

~Terry Clarke-Coyne

 

               “Out of the Ashes” is available everywhere music is sold online, CDs can be ordered from the STORE page