Huw Warren
Infinite Riches in a Little Room
BDV 2132
Mash
Moose the Mooche (Parker)
Lachrymae (after John Dowland)
Tears
Doth promise
Unfit
Guests Musicke Weeps
Shed Alwayes
Showers of Harmonie
Bee Metamorphosed
True Tears.
Xibaba (Pascoal) mp3
Quiet (r) Riot
...All Dancing
Infinite Riches
Loopy
Like Someone in Love (Burke/Van Heusen)
All compositions by Huw Warren unless stated.
Recorded 2001
Huw Warren: piano, keyboards, samples
"Infinite Riches is terrific stuff: a big, inspiring album from a little record label. Already sounds like a classic. On The Edge CD of the week." The Guardian
"Huw Warren works on the basis that the keyboard is a virtual reality orchestra, creating a collage of sound that has more colour, body and texture than most real groups can summon up *****" - Echoes
"One of Britain's most accomplished pianists" - BBC Music Magazine
Huw Warren's heterogeneity was shown in part in his first CD for Babel, Barrel Organ Far From Home (BDV9718), where the opening piece Earthing Up was based on a ground bass from the 18th century. This is now taken further in the latest CD, where Warren is able to collaborate with himself, taking advantage of ProTools, but without losing the natural piano sound. Taking its title from Christopher Marlowe's Moor Of Venice, the centrepiece of this solo CD by Huw Warren is a sequence of variations on lutenist John Dowland's Lachrymę.
The titles are based on the original dedication to Queen Anne in 1604. "And though the title doth promise teares, unfit guests in these joyfull times, yet no doubt pleasant are the teares which misicke weeps, netiher are teares shed always in sorrowe, but sometime in joy and gladnesse. Vouchsafe then (worthy Godesse) roetestion to these showers of Harmonie, least if you frowne on them, they bee Metamorphosed into treue teares." It also includes tunes by Hermeto Pascoal and Charlie Parker as well as originals, such as a piece written for Piano Circus (Riot).
While primarily the piano is used au naturel it has also been prepared at times and there are some subtle uses of samples. He has now performed solo on several occasions in recent months, including Bath, Cheltenham and Jyvaskyla in Finland. The performance from Bath was described as "riveting" (The Guardian) and " a highlight of the festival" (Jazzwise). The sleeve is designed by Gee Vaucher, (in)famous as a member of Crass in the early 80s and still an artist.
Huw is known for his work as pianist with folk singer June Tabor and also with the folk jazz outfit Perfect Houseplants.
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