Ton Scherpenzeel
OLD SOUL IN A NEW CENTURY
Eight years after release of ‘The Lion’s Dream’ (2013), Ton Scherpenzeel releases his fifth solo album, ‘Velvet Armour’.
Ton Scherpenzeel is most known for his 48 year career as leader, composer, keyboardist of the world renowned prog
rock band, Kayak. But that is not his only musical legacy. He is also known for his years as keyboardist for prog rock band Camel. In addition to his band and solo careers, Ton is an avid composer and musician in theatre and record productions in the Netherlands, including producing two albums of Dutch iconic folk band, Flairck.
VELVET ARMOUR, the fifth solo album from Ton Scherpenzeel, is the successor to ‘The Lion’s Dream’ (2013). This eighteen-track album will catapult the listener back in time to the essence of the Medieval Renaissance era. Fans of the Progressive rock band, Kayak, will recognize track ten, ‘My Heart Never Changed’, as Ton originally released this track on the album, Royal Bed Bouncer (1975). With a perfect blend of Baroque Folk and Progressive Rock ballads, the album offers a little something for everyone. “My musical heart is firmly rooted in folk, renaissance, baroque, and- of course- prog rock music,” says Ton. “Although the folky and classical elements have always been present in the music of Kayak, I couldn’t do a project like this with Kayak. ‘The Lion’s Dream’ and ‘Velvet Armour’ are almost inseparable from me as a
person. That is why I decided to do the vocals myself. I do not really see myself as a singer, but my voice reflects my music in its purest form. It’s as close to me as you’re gonna get. My music can perhaps best be described as an old soul in a new age. I am also not a purist when it comes to the use of certain instruments they didn’t have a grand piano back in the 1500’s but if it sounds right, I’ll use it. More often than not it is fiddle, flute, harpsichord, lute, or baroque guitar because they give the music that distinct, timeless atmosphere.”
The new solo album features several other musicians besides Ton: multi-instrumentalist Rens van der Zalm (well known in folk circles for his work with Andy Irvine’s Mosaic), flutist Annet Visser (who has played with Dutch band Flairck, and like Rens can also be heard on ‘The Lion’s Dream’) along with violinist Maria-Paula Majoor with the Matangi string quartet, representing the more classical side of ‘Velvet Armour’.
“You won’t find electric guitars or bass on this album, and the rhythmical approach also differs a lot from what we are used to with a band like Kayak. I am trying to create an archaic sort of feel in the arrangements. My music can perhaps best be described as an old soul in a new century. I am also not a purist when it comes to the use of certain instruments- they didn’t have a grand piano back in the 1500’s but if it sounds right, I’ll use it. But more often than not it’s fiddle, flute, harpsichord, or lute, or (baroque) guitar because they give the music that distinct, timeless atmosphere.”
Ton Scherpenzeel:
Music, lyrics, arrangement, production, all instruments, vocals
Guests:
Annet Visser ~ flutes & recorders
Rens van der Zalm ~ fiddle
Maria-Paula Majoor ~ lead violin
Daniel Torrico Menacho ~ violin
Karsten Marijn Kleijer ~ alto
Arno v.d. Vuurst ~ cello
Irene Linders ~ backing vocals
Production:
Recording & mixing ~ BBT Studio, Hilversum, Netherlands
Mastering ~ EQuuS Audio Mastering
Album Artwork ~ Henk Philhelmon Bol
Promotion Videos – Kristoffer Gildenlöw
Label/Press – Kathy Keller (info@friendlyfolkrecords.org
Official release date for ‘Velvet Armour’ is set on 15/October/2021. Follow Ton at the social media sites below!
Photo credit: Rudi Huisman (Artist Profile Page); Derya Verra (Front Page)