Joe Townsend playing the violin


Martin Green playing the accordion


Martin Green and Joe Townsend playing music


Martin Green and Joe Townsend by window


Violin and accordion

PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE

Joe Townsend and Martin Green proudly announce the release of their new Album

RETURN TO THE WOODS

Release date: January 22nd 2006
Label: ChatMusic
Catalogue No: CHAT 105


Joe Townsend and Martin Green have recorded an album of rare music that walks through the hinterland of jazz, folk, and contemporary music on violin, guitar, accordion, and an array of rarely heard instruments such as Mongolian cello, octave violin, musical saw and Fender Rhodes.

Its influences draw from the raw power and mystery of Duke Ellington and Romanian gypsy music, through the hypnotic minimalism of John Adams and Steve Reich and into the darker regions of English folk music. Through imaginative recording techniques such as the placing of tiny microphones inside instruments, playing the accordion through rotating speakers and using vintage keyboards they have produced a unique voice which is constantly changing yet somehow familiar. The album was mixed by the legendary Grant Showbiz, who has produced music for everyone from The Cure to Billy Bragg.

Joe Townsend has worked with Laurie Anderson, Salsa Celtica, Mervyn Africa, Umoya Ensemble, in film and as a composer at the National Theatre, Opera North. And the Abbey Theatre, Dublin. Martin Green has played with Eliza Carthy, Joan Baez, Jim Sutherland, Linda Thompson, Eddi Reader, the Be Good Tanyas, John Rae‘s Celtic Feet, Kathryn Tickell, The Unusual Suspects and is completing a special commision for Celtic Connections 2006.

“Its hard to understand why tunes have never been done this way before...” Rootsworld (USA)

“An Affirmation of the power of simple acoustic music...” Songlines.

The Album will available from www.chatmusic.net and major record outlets.


General enquiries: ChatMusic
165 Manwood Road London SE4 1SA
 Tel: +(44) 020 8613 9445

Booking enquiries: Gordon Webber
 Tel: 01904 400136
mobile 07917 336197

Joe Townsend BIOG

Joe Townsend is a unique jazz violinist who is recognized in Britain and the US for his playing and composition. His style is hard to nail down taking his influences from Ellington, Romanian gypsy music and the blues. As well as playing with his own group he is known for his work with Laurie Anderson, Salsa Celtica and Mervin Africa. On this visit to Cornwall he will play an unmissable entertaining set of standards and originals that is guaranteed to get the feet tapping and bones shaking.

"Joe Townsend is a violinist with breathtaking virtuosity but not afraid of a bit of scratchiness in the right places..." Songlines

"He has an organic quality that makes one wonder why tunes were never done this way before..." Rootsworld US