Ashes to Ashes

 

Ashes to Ashes

By

James Filkins

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I find the twists and turns of life’s somewhat rich tapestry uncanny and sometimes quite bizarre if I were honest, today that has been the case for both Chrissie and I, as we said goodbye to a long-time friend that has sadly passed, one we never had a chance to say a farewell to, one that for a while will lay heavy upon our hearts, but his music still lives on in and around us.

Here on this brand new single from guitarist James Filkins I get to write about that very subject in a review for his latest single called Ashes to Ashes. A mournful repose can be found here, and if I may paraphrase the artist himself when he states “The tune expresses grief, but also an emotional reverence, and the longing for a farewell that never occurred” exactly our feelings of about three hours ago when we garnered our sad news.

Filkins has become a guitarist of sublime skill and artistry over the years, here on this new single though he is joined by Crispin Campbell on Cello and Jack Dryden on bass, whom take that crafted intelligent performance by the guitarist a realm further, their performances add a reflective and mournful calmness to the proceeding’s, on top of one of the most philosophical and contemplative recordings ever from Filkins.

Ashes to Ashes by James Filkins was most certainly a cathartic voyage for us both as we continue to mourn our lost comrade in music, it is an absorbing composition of tender tones and profoundly introspective intonations, and one of the finest examples of guitar based multi instrumental music I have heard for simply ages.