Diamonds and Rust
Released 04 September 2022
This is a new arrangement of “Diamonds and Rust”, the timeless folk masterpiece by Joan Baez. My version is of course very stripped-down and lean, but I hope in a respectful and dignified way. There is a cheeky flamenco bit during the bridge – I simply couldn’t help myself.
Diamonds and Rust on Bandcamp.
Of Time and the River
Released 06 June 2022
Of Time and the River is the first composition in which I steer away from 4/4 and 3/4 (the most commonly used time signatures in Western music) and venture into 9/8 – a trickier, uneven metre. I tried to create a slow, meandering piece with hidden depths. Mr. Lloyd Marshall made a vital contribution on the clarinet. Mr. Fabio Maiorano mixed and mastered the recording in his studio in Valencia. Mr. Christo Stankulov provided the artwork.
Of Time and the River on Bandcamp
Sinnerman
Released 07 December 2021
Sinnerman is a traditional spiritual song which has been performed and recorded by many outstanding artists, most notably Nina Simone. This version is in Alexander Kyd’s trademark style, Post-Nylon.
Message from Alexander:
I teach music in a prison. I help people who are currently in prison discover the guitar. In the morning, I pass through security and head towards the wings, which is where the cells are. I have 1-on-1 lessons with several people every day – sometimes in their cell, sometimes in a room on the wing. Needless to say, there is a lot of pain and darkness on these wings, so I like to think that my work is making their lives a little more tolerable. Obviously the main reason for the existence of my job is to increase rehabilitation and reduce reoffending. When I’m not in the prison, I work on my own musical projects, one of which is this cover of Sinnerman – obviously inspired by my prison work.
Click the Play button above to listen to Sinnerman.
Rays that Heal
(“Лековити лъчи”)
The times are challenging, but joy and serenity need not be luxuries.
Raise your heels and let the rays heal you.
Cassis
The new album by Alexander Kyd is now available.
Тhe music explores immemorial mysteries, champions the organic before the mechanic, and unashamedly embraces nostalgia.
Listen here:
51 Pegasi
(“Коне и Космос”)
A musical work in two parts.
Stream it for free. If you love it, buy it.
Released 07 July 2018
Produced by David Llewellyn
Trumpet by Brant Tilds
Artwork by Sevda Semer
Obsidian
Five minutes of liquid smoke.
Stream it for free. If you love it, buy it.
Released 09 March 2018
Produced by David Llewellyn
Artwork by Sevda Semer
These Waters Remember
(“Запомнили води”)
Stream it for free, own it for £2 or more.
Produced by David Llewellyn
Vocals by Deborah Eckman
Artwork by Sevda Semer
Live at Forum Station is a live recording of me playing at Forum Station (duh) in Copenhagen.
It’s my way of paying homage to a beautiful place.
I spent countless hours busking there, I honed my skills, and met some great people.
Forum is more than a metro station to me.
I feel like I know it better than anyone.
Engineered by Ricko Vesterlund
Artwork by Martina Skrobanska (ednamartina.com)
Special thanks to Ingegerd Andersen at the Metro Kundeservice for her enthusiasm and support.
Dedicated to Martina.
Push the orange button and listen for free.
Western Plans is my debut album. As you might expect, it’s charmingly amateurish. It’s a collection of early works for solo acoustic guitar. Some of the pieces have since been re-composed and re-recorded as part of other releases. For example, Rays that Heal is a radical remake of a much older piece called Rice which can be found on Western Plans.
Produced by Ricko Vesterlund.
Artwork by Martina Skrobanska.
Recorded in Copenhagen in the autumn of 2011.
Push the orange button and listen for free.
Alexander Kyd 