Musicians on 'The Whisper' are...
Ollie Collins....bass.
Chris Parks....guitar.
Bob Knetzger....steel guitar, dobro.
Zak Borden....mandolin.
Wes Weddell....mandolin.
Paul Elliott....fiddle.
Ian Cameron....fiddle.
Gavin Sutherland....vocals.
Nancy K Dillon....vocals.
MJ Bishop....vocals.
Eva Tree....vocals.
Nick Barber....squeezebox.
Chris Bastock....percussion.
Chris Cartlidge....fiddle.
Nursery Records was formed in 1997, primarily to showcase the talents of singer/guitarist Ian Lang. Emerging from 80s band Small Change, Ian ventured on a solo career combined with a vibrant teaching business. In 1997 Nursery Records was formed to coincide with the release of Ian’s first solo album ‘Primitive’. Largely an acoustic set recorded on 8 track cassette Primitive’s stark mood found many friends. In 1999, another set ‘ Radio Days’’ was released to critical acclaim. This album featured the talents of many fine musicians…..Chris Parks (Any Trouble) on lead guitar and Chris Cartlidge (Elvis Fontenot & The Sugar Bees) on fiddle, whistle and pipes. Ian’s new album ‘Blood On A Pale Moon’, released late 2003, moves his songwriting on to new levels. Adding ethnic percussion from Chris Bastock (Backbeat Percussion Quartet), and haunting Alto Sax from Tracey Martin, the collection provides an essential addition to any collector of the modern acoustic genre. New album 'The Whisper' out NOW.
Ians albums are available from nurseryrecords web site, cd baby and i-tunes.
Radio Days…..Ian Lang
Ian Lang’s collection of eleven self-penned numbers is delivered in his distinctive laid back style. On the title track, his vocal is complimented beautifully by Helen Carr’s backing and it’s with this second track that the album comes to life.
Tight Lines features some magical finger picking from Lang which is joined by his hypnotic vocal and some of the best lyrics he has ever written. There’s a distinctive country feel to Prospects on which Chris Cartlidge plays mutedc and understated fiddle, and we hear banjo and Helen Carr’s beautiful voice (again) on The Moon and The River…..perhaps the best song here.
An excellent album that Mr. Lang should be very proud of. … Micheal Kennedy (Taplas)
Came out of the blue ( well Stoke on Trent, England to be exact) and a surprise indeed this record. The website is scant on info. although it appears that Ian Lang was once front man for 80's band Small Change and an ex-member of Any Trouble plays on his discs. The vocal similarity to Austin resident Tom Ovans is almost scary but rather than imitation I expect it reflects this artists love for the Dylanesque timbre. The mood is overwhelmingly melancholy but the production whilst not expensive is fitting and mellow. 'Wheatland' has lovely dobro playing ( back cover shows the singer hunched over a national it appears) and has a great slow Tom Waits like feel. Worth seeking out the CD for this track alone. Occasionally the songs stray into sentimental Paul Brady territory but even there the playing and gritty vocal saves the day.
'Highclere Hotel' has a lovely 'pedal steel' sound shimmering behind the melody but as the sleeve insists one not present maybe one of the eclectic lineup of instruments that includes djembe and caxixi ( what that? ed!). That instrumental leads into the more upbeat 'Big Sky' which seems jauntier after the preceeding melancholy. A touch closer to Mike Scotts 'Fishermen Blues' phase and a heart looking northwards I feel as the fiddle saws in and out. In my years reviewing singer-songwriters from these Isles I rarely come across someone who could hold a candle to the very best especially the likes of Scotland's Michael Marra. Well Ian Lang would still shine with his own light if held close to those flames. I don't give praise to UK 'americana' artists often but this guy is the real deal and needs support check his CDs out forthwith! Stoke on Trent's very own Leonard Cohen....well crafted as Wedgwood but coloured dark as blood. ....."I saw a scarecrow in the pouring rain.....livng on faith and alcohol"( 'Protocol')....thank god for surprises like this.....a true trailer star if ever I heard one.
SDB ‘Flying Shoes’ 17/03/04
WHISPER REVIEWS...
Singer-songwriter Ian Lang from Cheshire England is not a new face, but he was still an unknown name to me. Lang has been active since 1997. His songs include beautiful stories, which brings with it a heavy lump of emotion in his slightly rusty voice. Interestingly, Lang continues to improve.Blood on a Pale Moon from 2003 could look forward to positive reviews from the English press. The fourth CD The Whisper is now out. It was recorded in the Nursery Studios in England. Together with Gavin Sutherland (Sutherland Bros), Chris Parks (Any Trouble), Ollie Collins (Angie Palmer), Zak Borden (Rachel Harrington), Paul Elliott (Michelle Shocked) and singer Nancy K. Dillon Ian Lang has delivered a top performance. What a beautiful album!
With a very sparse backing of fiddle, pedal steel, dobro, mandolin and vocals of Nancy K. Dillon Ian builds from the acoustic opener Under The Sun with the proper tension. He loses no time with the intensity of his lyrics. As producer Ian has chosen a very small and penetrating sound. He knows his strong written repertoire, accompanying his acoustic guitar, an intimate atmosphere. The Whisper deeply moved me from beginning to end. Ian Lang will find many listeners with his intense performances. Give him that chance.
http://www.altcountryforum.nl/
Hey Ian, thanks for the request and welcome on board! You got some really fine music here! Hope you like mine too! ;-) Best from Leipzig, Germany! Stefan
Dear Ian, Having a listen and loving what I hear!! Beautiful, moody and inspiring. So happy to be one of the 'Langetts' :) Would LOVE a CD. Hope you're well and having a lovely Autumn. xxx, Eva
Ian, I can't wait to get my big paws on that CD. The mail can't move fast enough for it to get here. Of COURSE BB loves it - and NKD - and Gavin. Wow - I'm a Langette! Nice. I'll carry that title proudly.
....just can't seem to get "The Whisper" out of my cd player Ian, it's been there since it arrived 3 days ago. It's already a good ol' friend that has wrapped its arm around me as if two buddies were walking down the street and remembering life gone by. ~bb
The Whisper has arrived in America !! Looks and sounds FANTASTIC Ian....esp on the big speakers ;-) Enjoying every word and every note.....very honoured to be a part !
Hey, thanks a lot Ian! Hopefully I can come back for a bigger show some time - I liked the room a lot, and Stuart's a really nice guy, believes in the music and getting it all together.
Glad you liked 'wedding dentures' too. It's a newer song. I'd really like to get recording again, but there's a way to go with Broken Yellow too.
I'm actually playing in Chorley on the 11th of October, supporting Eileen Jewel, longer set. See you there?
Thanks for stopping by and inviting me into your circle of friends. I am enjoying listening to your songs. Beautiful, really! Nice work, always great to discover a songwriter of your talent. You can see more of my work and stay in touch through my website ; http://www.whitesalmonguitar.com/
see how much I love you? I only signed on to send birthday greetings. You can't get more love than that. Well...unless you're prepared to pay handsomely.
This month we mostly have Catie Curtis (with a Richard Thompson cover), Lindsay Fuller and The Cheap Dates (and who amongst us isn't?), Josh Fix with a track from the well-titled album This Town Is Starting To Make Me Angry and the rather lovely Red Rooster.
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