Presenting ... My Tribute to Jeanne (waag_rel158)

There are those among us who show what giving is. Jeanne gave of her heart, mind, and spirit. I am forever grateful.
- Allen Pitts

"My Tribute to Jeanne (waag_rel158)" is a reflective EP that allows Allen Pitts to document his feelings towards his dear friend and provide some sense of closure after her untimely passing. It is a very personal recording for Allen and one I am proud to share here on weareallghosts.

The opening track “Into The Light” is a melodic synth and piano piece ... a gentle, introspective number that delights me as a listener with its warmth.

We then move to the irresistibly titled “Jeanne's Jam” with its infectious instrumentation and catchy rhythm that had me thinking of the title to “Thirty-something” (a soundtrack I love and listen to regularly). The guitar on this piece is so wonderfully upbeat and, dare I say it, jolly ... it is a joyful recollection of Jeanne and all the good times that Allen has simply jamming away with her.

“Free” moves in another direction altogether from the joyful upbeat to a more reflective, almost sacred, synth-driven otherworldliness that gives way to melancholic piano before a rhythm section bursts in to ground the piece. You can almost sense Jeanne going ... “what’s this, Allen? I want upbeat!” ... and Allen delivers whilst still retaining a sense of his sadness in her passing. It is a longer, more complex track but one that has a sense of freedom to it ... a celebratory track for a life well lived.

The EP then ends with “Signs and Wonders” with its gentle synths and melancholic piano before more vibrant rhythms burst forth to ground the piece. This is a fitting end to the EP with its passionate playing and inventive soundscaping ... it leaves you wanting more.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

- Thomas

Presenting ... Advent (waag_aa003) by Allen Pitts

We've done this kind of thing before ... back in 2015, with the help of Stephen Briggs, we released music to help you celebrate the run up to Christmas Day ... and it was my intention to do the same in 2023 with the help of Allen Pitts.

We were going to release one track in each of the four Sundays in December to give you something to mediate on during the Advent time as you focussed on Christmas Day ... if that was your sort of thing.

That was until I heard the music Allen had sent me.

Advent (waag_aa003) by Allen Pitts contains four gentle ambient pieces that are intended to give the listener a sense of peace, to provide a moment of rest in what can be an otherwise busy time. When I heard them, I just knew they had to be released together, rather than weekly.

Regardless of how you celebrate this period, I hope these pieces will give you a sense of that peace.

Please take some time out of your day over the next four weeks to listen to the music Allen has prepared and consider how you can bring light, your light, to the dark corners of this world.

Any monies raised from this release will be donated to charity.

- Thomas

Presenting ... Night Trek (waag_rel156) by Allen Pitts

For every season in one's life there is a journey to be made. Sometimes the journey is by choice, sometimes by chance. The music that is being shared in this collection is a representation of both the chances and the choices of the last two years.

We can look forward to the journey, though the way seems dark, for there are stars overhead and the hope of a new day ahead. Remember the promise: and it came to pass...

- Allen Pitts

When Allen explained the concept of his latest album, I was immediately onboard ... I had a field recording that would work and shared it with him.

But then he asked me to contribute further with some spoken word ... and I was "errr ok" ... we have extensive wooded areas near my home and I envisioned walking there.

It took me about ten takes to get it right but I think it works in the context of what Allen is trying to convey ... the preparation and the movement of the journey.

I welcome this album from Allen and hope it brings you joy.

- Thomas

Presenting ... Hymns Under An Open Sky (waag_rel155) by Allen Pitts

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Great Britain. The eleven days of dashing about and trying to visit the historic sites of three Countries became my "Castles and Cathedrals Tour". Upon returning to the US, I had time to think about the thousands of years of culture I was made deeply aware of.

This collection of music is inspired by thoughts of both the beginnings and enduring remnants of worship in Britannia. The places where land, sea, and sky inspired the sharing of faith. It is my hope that you find moments of peace and joy as you listen.

- Allen

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I'll be honest with you ... I've been harassing Allen Pitts for a while now to release an album with weareallghosts. I am a huge fan of his music, especially his collaborations with our Cousin Silas, and have been for a long time ... and felt that he needed to release an album ... he needed to get his music out into the world for everyone to hear.

"Hymns under an open sky (waag_rel155)" is an intriguing proposition ... a collection of ambient recordings that were inspired by a visit Allen made to various places and spaces in Great Britain ... these liminal spaces are associated with early Christianity with some ... Lindisfarne, Iona, Whitby ... earning their place as a title on the album.

Allen somehow manages to capture the magic of these places ... his tracks are infused with a sense of atmosphere and convey the feeling of being somewhere special ... the feeling of awe that we can all experience, whether we subscribe to a particular faith or not. And he has used this to create exceptional soundscapes that I easily found myself lost in.

That is my hope for you ... that you'll get lost in these tracks ... and you'll find something, some small part of the awe that Allen felt ... and it will bring you joy.

- Thomas