If you preorder the CD you get BOTH the CD and the digital album download.
The CD also comes in a stunning 3-fold digipack cover, containing:
- an epic 36-page booklet with dialogues between the musicians, discussing their relationship and the inspirations for each chosen piece.
- gorgeous photography by Elly Lucas
- you INSTANTLY receive one album track download: Track 3: "Waltzska For Su-a", a duet with fellow cellist Natalie Haas.
Includes unlimited streaming of Dialogues
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
ships out within 2 days
Purchasable with gift card
£18GBPor more
Streaming + Download
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
The cello in Scottish folk music has a long history, dating back to the golden age of the Scottish fiddle in the late 1700s and all through 1800s when it experienced its heyday. It began dying out in the early 1900s after the death of Scott Skinner, who began his life as a cellist playing for dances with his mentor Peter Milne. It experienced a resurgence in the late 20th century, thanks to folk like Abby Newton, Ron Shaw, Wendy Weatherby and of course, Natalie Haas. In the last 20 years the cello has grown in popularity, with many Scottish folk groups using it as a more featured instrument, rather than as part of a string section in the background.
When I first heard Natalie play, my mind was blown wide open as to what the cello was capable of. She is an inspiration, a mentor and a dear friend.
NATALIE:
I first met Su-a during Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow. She makes quite the memorable impression. I had heard of her, of course, as being the “other” cellist in the Scottish music scene. This was quite a few years ago and there are a few more of them since then. I was only vaguely aware of her work then, but quickly realized that she was the go-to cellist (in addition to her remarkable classical prowess) for adding her sound to folky recordings and live concert appearances. This was someone I absolutely had to meet and get to know.
We developed a friendship over time, bumping into each other at various festivals, but I only really got to know her more deeply when she wrote to propose a 2-week intensive learning stint with me while she was on sabbatical. She came to Montreal, where I lived at the time, to study folk cello intensively. We hit it off from day one - spending a few dedicated hours each day working on musical ideas, but mostly having fun traipsing around town and eating extremely well. She also came as a student to several fiddle camps I was teaching at that summer including the Mike Block String Camp in Florida and Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School in California. I was incredibly impressed at her willingness to humble herself, a seasoned professional musician, back to student level in the early phases of learning a completely new set of techniques. She managed it all extremely well with her inimitable sense of humour.
The most obvious tune to collaborate on for this duo is Waltska for Su-a (literally a combo of a waltz and a polska, two very different kinds of 3/4), because I wrote it in honour of Su-a during her visit to Montreal. It came out when I was noodling around on the fiddle in my bedroom while Su-a was practising the repertoire and techniques we were working through together at the time. Because it was written for cello, C minor was the obvious choice as the darkest and richest of all keys.
I’m so happy that Su-a is making this album, which promises to be a strong statement for the cello in Scottish music, allowing the instrument to take its rightful place, right at the heart (and not on the sidelines) of any ensemble.
credits
from Dialogues,
released December 2, 2022
WALTZ/POLKA: Waltzska for Su-a by Natalie Haas, arr. N Haas & S Lee
Natalie Haas – cello
Su-a Lee – cello
Produced by Su-a Lee & Andrea Gobbi
Engineered by Andrea Gobbi - all tracks recorded, mixed & mastered by Andrea Gobbi at GloWorm Recording, Glasgow, except additional recording for track 2 by Rimmert van Lummel).
Su-a Lee is one of Scotland’s most versatile, adventurous and charismatic cellists - she's worked with icons Eric Clapton,
Jack Bruce (Cream) and Peter Erskine (Weather Report) She works extensively in the UK classical and folk music scenes and is a founding member of the highly innovative Mr. McFall’s Chamber and a long standing member of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (Assistant Principal Cello)...more
My brother-in-law Jeff Babko is an internationally renowned keyboard player. This album pushes the envelope on funk, fusion and organ trio jazz originals with some cathartic, scintillating results. Su-a Lee
supported by 92 fans who also own “Waltzska for Su-a (Feat. Natalie Haas)”
So pleased to see your second album on its way. I’ve just about worn a hole in your first CD because I love it so much. Cannae wait due the whole thing to appear on 4th May. The taster track is AWESOME!! 🙏 floradouglas
