Finally the time has come for the release of the long-awaited ‘Lusitanian Ghosts III’ album from alternative folk-pop-rock collective Lusitanian Ghosts. Their third long-player, released via the European Phonographic label, was recorded and mixed at Clouds Hill Studios in Hamburg by Sebastian Muxfeldt (Elbow, Peter Doherty, Teenage Fanclub), this album is being released in both stereo and mono versions.
A Portuguese-Canadian-Swedish chordophone collective founded by Neil Leyton and Micke Ghost (a.k.a. Mikael Lundin), Lusitanian Ghosts revives lost instruments and presents ancient sounds in the 21st Century. Re-casting these heritage folk violas into rock n roll songs, the European artist collective writes from a socio-political perspective on building a better world, creating songs for the heart and mind, recording on analogue tape and releasing moving music on vinyl.
Together with João Sousa, Abel Beja (from Primitive Reason), ToZé Bexiga (from Raia) and Jan-Eric Olsson, Lusitanian Ghosts plays traditional Portuguese chordophone instruments, ancient regional guitars (Amarantina, Beiroa, Campaniça, Braguesa, Toeira, Terceirense). These instruments, once on the verge of extinction, are the real “Lusitanian Ghosts” (Lusitania being an ancient Celtic tribe in what would become the central territory of Portugal).
There’s a lot to treat your earbuds, so fans of The Waterboys, Xixa, David Bowie and The Bad Seeds. IThere are some nice surprises here, both in terms of pop-rock fare and the more traditional sounding songs that emphasize the use of these rare string instruments. Notable songs include the earlier-released singles ‘The Long Train’, ‘Shameless’ and ‘Got Enough’, as well as ‘Seeds’, ‘Vagar’ and ‘Black Wine White Coffee’.
Quite recently, Lusitanian Ghosts released the timely single ‘September’, bringing to the fore the Portuguese folk chordophone violas Amarantina, Campaniça and Terceirense, skilfully played by Michael Lundin, ToZé Bexiga and Abel Beja respectively. Lusitanian Ghosts make music with absolutely no guitars – just chordophones, bass and drums. Although a brand new rock n roll alt-folk sub-genre, these songs feel warmly familiar.
As of September 15, the ‘Lusitanian Ghosts III’ album will be available everywhere digitally, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. It will also be released on vinyl, with both mono version and stereo version available.
On October 14, the Ghosts will be presenting the new album live at Lisbon’s Teatro Taborda. Folks purchasing this album from FNAC Portugal will also get a complimentary guest-list ticket for this album release show.
CREDITS
Neil Leyton – vocals
Mikael Lundin aka Micke Ghost – vocals and Viola Amarantina
João Sousa – drums and Adufe
Abel Beja – viola Terceira and backing vocals
António “ToZé” Bexiga – Viola Campaniça
Janne Olsson – bass and Viola Beirão
Published by Lusitanian Music Publishing
All songs written by Neil Leyton and Mikael Lundin except “Pure Evil” by Bexiga/Leyton/Lundin
Produced by Neil Leyton and Mikael Lundin
Recorded at Clouds Hill Studios, Hamburg
Engineered & mixed by Sebastian Muxfeldt
Assisted by Schulie Pieper
Mastered by Chris von Rautenkranz at SoundGarden Hamburg
Cover painting ”Hamnen” (The Harbour) by Yngve Forsberg, painted in 1989.
Photography by Katja Ruge.
Design by João Morais aka O Gajo
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