BLUEBELL ALBUM DETAILS
The album consists of 21 tracks of original piano music.
The pieces were written between 2000 and 2006.
Bluebell Blues (Track 15) was inspired by the
struggle of the English Bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-
scripta against the ‘Spanish Invader’, Hyacinthoides
hispanica, whose cloying advances are represented
by sinuous triplet figures and uneasy flamenco
harmonies. The indigenous species’ graceful
movement is portrayed in the swinging left hand
figure which dominates throughout.
Tracks 1 to 5 originally formed the suite ‘From
Rainy Days’. Troika depicts an ‘off-piste’ sleigh-ride
experience where the occupants visit mysterious and
unexpected realms of crystalline calm and space.
In the middle section, the descent of the sleigh
transforms into a rising motion as the vehicle leaves
the ground in boundless flight.
La Belle Dame Sans Merci was inspired by John
Keat’s 1819 poem.
Tracks 6 to 10 were written after visiting the English
Lakes. Brotherswater is a lake of deep calm with
ripples slowly spreading across its misty surface.
In The Toy Museum I revisit some of my earliest
musical ideas and find I can still play with them.
Loweswater is a dark lake with a story to tell. The
Firefly darts over the water’s surface, living a short
life to the full, glowing with dreams and hopes. Le
Blaireau is dedicated to the badger who broke into
my tent and ate all but one of the small cakes lying
there, before leaving. He returned a few moments
later and took the last one. He had a distinctly
continental air about him, so I think of him as
‘Monsieur Le Blaireau.’
I once worked at a school where pupils were given
thirty minutes each day to choose their own activity.
I thought that many adults would also like to share
this wonderful luxury. ‘Choosing-Time’ Charleston
celebrates the elation of being free to choose
for oneself how to pass precious moments in an
otherwise hectic day.
Carousel rotates like a fairground ride, combining
elements of simple and compound triple metre.
Sketch expounds the attractions of inactivity,
vagueness and indecision, but is beset with troubled
feelings of wasted opportunity. Action Song
attempts to redress the balance. Full of schemes and
plans, its impetus, too, is led astray by a narcotic and
wistful ennui.
Christmas Song looks back to memories of childhood
with seasonal echoes of distant bells.
Heartbreak Hall (Track 20) is the nickname of a
well-known concert venue where many musicians
make their debut. For some, an appearance there can
launch a wonderful career; for others less fortunate
with the critics, it can be the scene of ultimate
disappointment. This piece is also dedicated to the
memory of Jill Weinberg.
Prayer is exactly that – a musical act of devotion.
All music composed and performed by Rob Colley.
Piano: Steinway Model D.
Recorded 2nd September 2007 at Abbey Road Studio 2, London.
Recording Engineer: Chris Bolster.
Mixed by Rob Colley and David Eno.
Mastered at Sound Recording Technology Studios, Cambridge. Engineer:
Simon Murphy.
Photography at Abbey Road: Stuart Hill.
Bluebell woods photograph: Heather Hemelryk.
Cover Design: Ireneusz “Irek” Golka.
Text Editing: Sarah Colley.