Name: Willow's Song (by Paul Giovanni) by The Low Countries
Duration: 2 min 48 s
Description: Me trying out the masterful 'Willow's Song' - I think it was a rough vocal guide for Els to sing to, preparing for a then upcoming memorial concert for Wes Martin, he loved the song and taught me how to play it.

That's How A Good Thing Can Haunt You Demo 4

The demo from god knows when - recorded with a bit more stuff for the Summer's Last Hurrah album in 2011

https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/track/still-time

Album version

Still Time (demo)

I Hate When We Don't Talk

I Hate When We Don't Talk (Raw Demo)

Written for Scott Hutchison of the band Frightened Rabbit

lyrics
I’m away now, away now, to the calling of the sea
I’m away now, away now, so don”t go following me

Upon the shore I left my love
A treasure chest of song
I’m guided by the stars above
Soon I’m sailing on

I”m away now, I’m away now, to the calling of the sea

Upon the shore I left my love
A treasure chest of song
I’m guided by the stars above
Soon I’m sailing on

I’m away now, away now, to the calling of the sea
I’m away now, away now, so don’t go following me
credits
from Betty's Boudoir Sessions Vol. II, releases May 19, 2023
Nigel - vocal, guitar, harmonica
Betty - vocal

Betty's Boudoir Sessions (Volume 2)

I'm Away Now

Bandcamp

I'm very proud to announce that a  Vol II of 'Betty's Boudoir Sessions' will be released on Friday the 19th of May by Nub Music (and on Bandcamp with bonus bits) 
Here's a taster of the six songs recorded over the past few years with the multi-talented  Betty Manson 
(and Neil Manson on one track) plus one song co-written with the wonderful Jon-Yngve Bakke 
Much like Vol I the songs are mostly regarding love, loss, death, Gardener's Question Time, and the shifting sands of time.  
Hear the first song here https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/track/road-2

Some comments on Vol I of Betty's Boudoir Sessions EP

"Truly truly beautiful"

"Mooi en wow!"

"Fucking beautiful"

"...so melancholic that you want to pull your own guts out to ease the pain but eh that’s the best kind of song innit"

"Wow what a tune. WHAT. A. TUNE."

Bettys Boudoir Sessions EP Volume 2 - taste a sample

With poetic lyrics, that resonate deeply and a sparse arrangement that allow the emotions to take centre stage, "Most of the Time" showcases Man at Sea's exceptional songwriting prowess. Hewson paints vivid images of landscapes etched in our hearts, where mountains and rivers stretch out beneath starry skies, and where human connections are concealed ‘most of the time’. His collaboration with renowned producer Tom Campbell has yielded a sonically enchanting experience that transports listeners to ethereal landscapes.

Produced by Tom Campbell

Mastered by Shawn Joseph at Optimum Mastering 

Copyright Man at Sea 2023

© all rights reserved
license
all rights reserved
license
all rights reserved

Most of the Time

An eclectic 90-second blast of some of my favourite, and diverse, songs.  
Gives a general idea of what I do, I hope.

Sign up for my mailing list and get a FREE and exclusive brand new song, plus a regular newsletter with upcoming gigs, previews and other muso meanderings...

Click here https://nigel-parrington.ck.page/ca5f9cf681   

Thank you!

Instant Song Reel !!

It's A Wonderful Day (Andrea B, J. Bakke)- collab DEMO for FAWM (2024)

One of three new 30 second songs written and recorded as our contribution to the  forthcoming Pocket Gods/Nub Records album '100 x 30' featuring 100 songs 30* seconds long about the current state of the music industry. 
Info here http://www.100x30.com/

*max 37

I made a video (of sorts)https://youtu.be/5mtfSjPJPrk 

Dog Chews For Shoes

The Only Constant

Me trying out the masterful 'Willow's Song' - I think it was a rough vocal guide for Els to sing to, preparing for a then upcoming memorial concert for Wes Martin, he loved the song and taught me how to play it.

Willow's Song (by Paul Giovanni)

Songwriter-singer and vice versa with 30 years experience of writing and performing, from indie-pop to indie-folk.  
Song-writing saved my life and I'm now discovering the joy of collaboration, get in touch! 
Sign up to my mailing list for and receive an exclusive free song!
https://nigel-parrington.ck.page/ca5f9cf681

In the 90s I wrote and performed with The High Ones (Britpop/Indie-pop) and eventually went solo and formed The Low Countries - a mix of indie-folk to full on band recordings, plus nice stuff in-between. 
I've worked for Warner Bros Music as a co-writer for 'Novastar' and also co-written with Andrew Rollins (Emmy winning Nashville songwriter).
My songs continue to be played on BBC6 Music and BBC Introducing, the most recent track 'I'm Away Now' was chosen for Tom Robinson's best of BBC6 Mixtape 2023!

All my albums (2007-2018) and a plethora of bonus tracks are now available to stream/purchase via Bandcamp 

https://thelowcountries.bandcamp.com/

'A gorgeous understated elegy to Scott Hutchison..' Tom Robinson on 'I'm Away Now', BBC6 Music (2023)

'indie-folk at its best...' Folk Radio UK

'They make literate, clever music that makes Belle and Sebastian look like a bunch of thugs' Popshifter

"They're witty, they're psychedelic, they're individual, they're self-depreciating at times, and they write some very good songs...a lost treasure"
The Sound of Confusion

‘this is indie-folk music from the heart and I say give it a go’ Johnno Casson, Fresh On The Net

The full story:

Nigel started writing songs during the great war (Blur won) in a remote Mental Hospital in Hertfordshire.  He escaped to London and formed The High Ones with Mark Lee (The Pocket Gods)- Nigel wrote most of their indie-pop style songs and tours of Belgium and the home counties ensued.  A double A-side single ‘Sunny Day/Northern Skies’ was a hit in Belgium and Nigel toured Studio Brussels placing their EP in random drawers, where they remain. Nigel changed his name to Niels and moved to Antwerp - The High Ones had one last gig in The Borderline after drinking several Antwerp bars dry and conversing with dEUS.
Nigel worked briefly for Warner Bros Belgium and through this contact The Low Countries were born, going on to win valuable studio time in a few swanky Flemish studios, all of which boasted that ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was recorded on their sound desk. During this ‘Flemish blue period’ Nigel soaked up Flemish sounds & smells & wrote some classic songs - witty lyrics with a rich skein of melancholy. 
Moving back to the UK in 2006 Nigel was signed to Nub Music and began releasing 7 albums over a period of 8 years. In 2014 Nigel & Els formed a 5-piece band with Rob Daniels, Darren Leadsom and Marc Nellis  - they recorded an EP in 2016 and in 2017 Marc left the band but returned for guest guitar on the band's 2018 album.
Nigel’s songs have been played on BBC Radio 6, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio Lancashire, Amazing Radio, Unpeeled.net, Folk Radio UK, Dandelion Radio, Beyond Radio,Studio Brussels, Radio Centraal and Sky TV. 

Some more reviews:

'Blissfully wonderful music' Beehive Candy

'Like a lost track off Abbey Road' @coffeehopper (on Sun Street (2015))

'making music that makes the world a better place' @indiebandsblog

'Beautiful...'The Invisible Ray' will most likely become a lost treasure. We just hope that in a few years it's uncovered and given the respect it deserves' The Sound Of Confusion

'I'm...struggling to see how they've not found greater recognition for past works and could 'The Invisible Ray' be a seminal album?' Ralph's Life

'Parrington's son has apparently predicted that his dad's songs will be famous after he dies. Pennyblackmusic readers would be advised not to wait that long' Pennyblack Music (The Greatest Bits)

‘captivating to a fault’ Folk and Roots

‘indie-folk at its best, I love it’ Folk Radio UK

’English psyche pop folk masterpiece - syd barrett meets nick drake with glorious beatles harmonies and northern wit - album of the year’ MBop Magazine

’..The Low Countries: splendid melancholia which sounds like a North Country version of Golden Smog or Josh Rouse. Nigel Parrington is definitely onto something’ Howard Byrom, The Lancaster Guardian 4 05 07

’Really tasty stuff - a little beauty!!’ Peter J Brown aka toxic pete (www.toxicpete.co.uk)

‘Beautiful South meets Richard Thompson…really fine mellow tunes’ Fresh Air FM

’shades of Ryan Adams…Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris…elsewhere Tell Her could be lifted from the Beatles’ back catalogue…’ www.folking.com

Willow's Song (by Paul Giovanni)

The Low Countries

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