Martin Lloyd Howard Gives Us Another Reason to Get Lost in His Music with Surrey Bells

It gives me great pleasure to welcome Martin Lloyd Howard back to our pages. Not long ago, the Surrey-based guitarist and composer entered my sonic universe with a tranquil and absorbing piece of music called Highland Mist. It was an escape from the noise of the world that I desperately needed, and I've been keeping a close eye (and ear) on Martin's work ever since.

Three weeks ago, Martin delivered Surrey Bells, an original composition intended for two guitars. Like Highland Mist, it's composed in DADGAD tuning, and again it showcases Martin's love for both classical and contemporary musicians. Let's dive in!

Designed to invoke a sense of church bells ringing across the English county of Surrey, Martin's latest offering has a wonderfully fluid and organic quality. It's expressive and human and unforced.

"I had an image of two sets of bells almost doing a call and response across a rural valley on a bright winter morning," explains the composer. "That influenced the decision to use two guitars."

Armed as ever with his trusty Tanglewood steel-string acoustic, Martin Lloyd Howard's Surrey Bells is another rich and meditative creation from a highly gifted musician. The emotional landscapes he's able to paint have once again tugged at my heartstrings, and I cannot wait to hear what he offers up next!

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