Just after my wife and I moved to Edinburgh in 2013, I lost my childhood best friend. After his death, I started writing a song about an imagined reunion with him where I could say something that circumstances had not allowed, which was a proper goodbye. Reunited, we would take a last ramble around the beautiful city together before I returned to the flow of life alone.
When the time came for me to record “The Riven World,” it was my good fortune to have Heidi Talbot help convey my story with her lovely lead vocals. John McCusker surpassed all expectations as a producer and musician. To me, his beautiful fiddle part at the end of the song will always be my old pal bidding me farewell. Adam Holmes, James Lindsey, and Cameron Malcolm were superb and delightful to work with.
Without the constant support of my wife Teresa, this recording would never have happened.
“The Riven World” is dedicated to the memory of Gary Lloyd.
Here is a video of me playing “The Riven World" in my kitchen just before it was recorded.