Held By Trees with Martin Smith

 

Held By Trees with Martin Smith

by Pete Clemons

What happens when you mix a band who, by there own admission are influenced by Talk Talk, and musicians from a Christian rock and modern worship band?

Essentially what you have is a new release by Held by Trees. What is Held by Trees? Through a by product of the chemical reaction process called photosynthesis oxygen is produced and released into the atmosphere by the tree. Just about everything you need to sustain life.

And that is what appears to be captured in this CD. It is sheer beauty from beginning to end. I have rarely heard so few lyrics put to such maximum effect.

Would I, had I known this level of detail beforehand, have overlooked this release. Quite possibly, who knows. But so glad I went into listening to this release blind.

The first thing I noticed was inside the sleeve where I read the words 'friendship is divine'. Just seeing that blew me away. And this collaboration and friendship is certainly made in heaven.

After several really excellent instrumental releases, Solace (2022) and Eventide – Live at Real World (2023), Held By Trees release their first music with a vocalist, Martin Smith.

The seven tracks on this release comprise of two 12-minute songs, 'You Deserve' and 'Lay Your Troubles Down' along with a third shorter one 'Oh My Love'.

The release also includes similar length instrumental mixes of all three tracks and an ambient version of 'Lay Your Troubles Down' by Hong Kong based ambient duo, Salt of the Sound who contribute a peaceful ambient feeling. Add Anita Tatlow’s ethereal vocals to the mix and it brings a whole new dimension to the song.

Given the nature of Held by Trees previous releases, how did this wonderful collaboration and release come about?.

As told by the band: 'Having established themselves with the highly acclaimed instrumental releases, an obvious question for the project has been ‘what would it be like with vocals?’

The answer to this question came when Held By Trees frontman, David Joseph, asked his friend Martin Smith to come and play a short opening set for their gig in Martin’s home town of Brighton.

Martin, a world-renowned singer-songwriter, on hearing Held By Trees set, found his imagination set on fire by the possibility of a collaboration. Over a phone call a few days Martin and David began to hatch a plan to get together at Real World Studios and record new music.

'Lay Your Troubles Down' was the first release from the resulting session, which also features Martin’s long-time friend and former Delirious bandmate, Stuart Garrard on guitar. It immediately garnered a Spotify editorial playlist, despite running to nearly 13 minutes.

Held by Trees will be joined by Martin Smith on a few live dates during November. And Friday 15th November see's the band play The Tin Arts Centre at the canal basin in Coventry. This could well be one of those genuinely 'I was there' moments.