The Rowan Amber Mill's own releases

Information about the release:

Over a period of 18 months, 20 songs were written with a view to recording. In selecting songs for a CD release, it became apparent that, unconsciously, many of the songs included consistent seasonal and pastoral themes. From the 20 songs written, these ones, themed around feelings and elements eminating from Summer, form midsummers.

Initially released in both a limited handcrafted gatefold CD case (made from eco-friendly 100% recycled chipboard), with 4 page full colour booklet containing exclusive artwork and liner notes and also in standard jewel case edition. The 35 minute CD contains 10 tracks, which includes 7 completely new songs, a new and radically different version of Blood and Bones (plus the original version only previously available from us on our download ep). Plus a newly updated and remastered version of Spinning and Singing.

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Reviews of Midsummers

A review by the wonderful Terrascope.co.uk (in their July 09 rumbles section) reads:
  "Regular readers will remembe r us applauding the ‘Beyond the pale' psych-folk compilation earlier this year, and in particular a contribution by The Rowan Amber Mill , which we described as “intense and magnificent, a hypnotic banjo adding menace while an incessant drone nags away at the back of your mind”. The song was ‘Blood and Bones', and appears again in a considerably reworked form on the band's CD-EP ‘ Midsummers '  on which the trio of Stephen Stannard, Kim Guy and Terry Stacey gambol through a collection of English folk song, from the traditional (the 14 th century ‘Sumer is a Cumen In', a version of which appeared as the climax to the movie ‘ Wicker Man' ), to the contemporary (the superb ‘Spinning and Singing', featuring gorgeous harmonies and pastoral slide guitar) via ‘The Paper Owl and Golden Hare', a jaunty flute-driven folk song inspired partly by the novel The Owl Service and the 1970s TV adaptation. Although unrelated, if you are already a fan of folk-psych outfit The Owl Service you'll love these guys too. Top marks for packaging as well – my copy came in a hand-crafted card cover (makes note to self: write and ask them where they found the parts to craft this, as it's truly exquisite) ". 

A wonderful review on The Shadows Commence.com: "I was waiting quite impatiently for this album to come. I discovered THE ROWAN AMBER MILL though MySpace, and have been listening to their preview songs many a times the last year. There is something in their psychedelic, pastoral folk that I find very, very attractive. Can't put my finger on what though. I just get the feeling that this is so very special every time I hear it. And I love Kim's haunting, somewhat deep vocals what that they do to lift the sound high above ground.

So, ”Midsummers” is the simple title. The CD comes in a simple cardboard digipak with a sticker on, holding all the artwork. From a little tray inside the packaging you can find a sheet with the titles of the tracks and some information about each and every one of them. I'd say the design and the artwork is amazing.
And I'd say the same about the music. It's hard to categorize and hard to describe, but to call this neo-Wicker Man music would be pretty fair I think. It's mysterious, darkly crafted, psychedelic folk with lots of interesting and unexpected turns taken. Yet, at the same time, it's all so very obvious.
The instrumentation is a strange blend of today and yesterday. I especially fancy the hollow sounding flutes in ”Sumer is a Cumen In” , a fantastic song that appears in several different dresses through out these 10 tracks.
I also LOVE the ninth track, the title one called, you've guessed it, ”Midsummers” , that seems to summarize the album by throwing out short clips from each track over the sounds of a flickering fire.

Too bad the album is over pretty much just after it starts. Yes, it suffers from shortness, but then again, see it from the bright side; that way nothing is stopping you from playing it again and again and 10 times per day!
I'd say that THE ROWAN AMBER MILL is for me today, what THE OWL SERVICE was for me last year. And their album later appeared when I summarized 2008's best albums. That statement should hopefully leave you exited enough to go look for this album. And I'm pretty sure you'll agree with me when I say that THE ROWAN AMBER MILL might just be one of the most promising folk acts to date. ”Midsummers” is beautiful, interesting, intriguing and a wonderful craft."

A review by http://www.folkwords.com reads thus:
"There's a good way to celebrate Midsummer's Day - listen to ‘Midsummers' by The Rowan Amber Mill. Soak up this peaceful music in the fading light of a warm evening, glass of wine in hand as the breeze gently teases the trees - a true antidote for stress. This album is a gentle piece of pastoral psych-folk that celebrates the other world of the English summer. That's the world that still lies beyond the noise and haste of modern life – if only you decide to search for it. This music has a mysterious, airy quality that fits the elements and essence of summer. The album opens fittingly with two versions of the 13th Century round ‘Sumer Is A Cumen In' (made popular by its inclusion in The Wicker Man). There's ‘Olde & Moderne' (with vocals) and ‘Medievale Carnivale' (instrumental - my favourite) for you to enjoy. And just in case you don't like either interpretation, track 8 is yet another version – complete with spooky whisperings in the background. Excluding the rearranged traditional pieces Stephen writes the intricate, engaging songs while Kim lends her moving voice. ‘Blood and Bones (2009)' is classic psych folk, with a tune that creates a sense of foreboding while the portent-laden lyrics reinforce the message. ‘Corndolly' blends wraith-like strings and wind to create a tranquil
tune that calls to mind the gods of the harvest blessing the fields. ‘Midsummers' mixes the sounds of burning fields fashioned over morphing string and pipe-driven memories of previous tunes to evoke fading summer and the arrival of Autumn. The CD offers you ten tracks, with three different versions of a traditional tune and two remixes of the same song. So perhaps this is more an extended EP or is it a mini-album? No matter, it gives a fine introduction to The Rowan Amber Mill. To discover gentle tranquillity this summer there's not too much better for your soul than their music ."

A review by Fatea Magazine: "Some songs become so associated with an event that people forget to perform it, "Sumer Is A Cumen" is such a song, forever linked to "The Wickerman" so power to The Rowan Amber Mill for reclaiming it on the mystical and majestic "Midsummers" album, an album of English folklore and themes. You can almost smell the cut grass in the hay meadow, watching the windmill turn in the breeze whilst enjoying a countryside picnic and yet at the same time be reminded that nature can be dark and beautiful as well as pretty and faye. This album catches both aspects."

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Title:	folk devils and moral panics
Released:	25 August 2008
Format:	6 track download only
Availability:	Exclusively from the indmill.com website
Track Listing:	1. The Hunter (4:29)
	2. Blood and Bones (4:51)
	3. Saturnalia (5:17)
	4. Spinning and Singing (3:31)
	5. A Miller's Tale (3:59)
	6. Wassail (Cider Lolly mix) (3:34)

Information about the release: They Rowan Amber Mill were asked by the very lovely people behind a new totally ethical downloads website ( the indmill) to release some Rowan Amber Mill music on their newly launced site. So, in August 2008, the first release by The Rowan Amber Mill was a 6 track mini album entitled 'folk devils and moral panics'. The mini album is currently available as a full CD quality download only on the rather lovely and totally ethical downloads website the indmill, with a download price of £1.22 / $1.70 for the whole ep, with a percentage of each downlaod being donated to charitable causes.

2009 sees The Rowan Amber Mill in full swing recording tracks for a set of mini albums that will be released beginning in the middle of 2009 through to early 2010. Sign up to the mailing list to receive the ocassional email with details of release dates etc.

The Rowan Amber Mill appearances on compilations

Title:	Beyond The Pale
Released:	February 2009
Format:	20 track ltd edition deluxe double CD package
Availability:	Exclusively from the Sideways Through Sound myspace page and official Sideways Through Sound home page.
Track Listing:	CD 1.	CD 2.
	1. Pacific Highway 3pm by Anonymeye	1. Three Cinemas by Yousei
	2. I've Grown A Heart by River Crombie	2. Listen To The Rain by The Gentle Good
	3. Many Things by Tobias Selkirk	3. Black Dervish by Jeff Eden
	4. Vulture by Shion Om Pan	4. Dagger Dagger by Old Lost John
	5. Storm In The Sea by Owls Of The Swamp	5. The Bend In The River by Driftwood Manor
	6. Monday by Heidi Elva	6. Dark Moon by Dean Mcphee
	7. The Stingray by Alice Hutchinson	7. Loop by Muffin
	8. Diving Bell by The Orbweavers	8. Lucy by Silver Pines
	9. Distant Hills Burn Bright Pt 2 by Seaworthy	9. Blood And Bones by The Rowan Amber Mill
	10. Armour by The Boy Who Spoke To Clouds	10. The Shadow & The Wind by Arborea

In 2009, The Rowan Amber Mill contributed the track  'Blood and Bones' to a rather wonderful and lavishly presented limited edition double CD entitled Beyond The Pale released by Sideways Through Sound, which featured some top weird folkists (including some of our own faves such as Arborea, Silver Pines and The Gentle Good).The legendary Terrascope Online (Terrascopic Magazine) reviewed Blood and Bones on the compilation and said of it "Working to an epic scale, The Rowan Amber Mill are intense and magnificent on “Blood and Bones”, a hypnotic banjo adding menace to the tune, whilst an incessant drone nags away at the back of your mind ". The CD is available via the official Sideways Through Sound myspace page and also from the official Sideways Through Sound home page. There you will find more details and a full tracklisting. Check it out.

Later in 2009 a new The Rowan Amber Mill track will be released on a another superb compilation. Sign up to the mailing list to receive emails with further information of the release dates etc.