Martin Lloyd Howard finds the soul of the highlands in “Highland Mist”

"Highland Mist" is a brand new instrumental single that begins a unique chapter in the musical catalog of Martin Lloyd Howard. The piece is centered on experimentation, atmosphere, and a brilliant commitment to natural sound, taking the listener toward the quiet mystery and rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands.

Much of the track's character is down to Howard's decision to explore DADGAD tuning on a Tanglewood steel string acoustic guitar. This time, he is departing from his standard fifty year old hand built classical nylon instrument, allowing him to achieve a sound much closer to an authentic Celtic atmosphere. The recording is so compelling because of its simplicity. The track was recorded in the intimate environment of Howard's home loft, with a single Rode NT4 microphone positioned just 9 inches from the guitar. The recording approach avoids unnecessary complication. Instead, the focus is on the guitar and the purity of the sound.

Martin Lloyd Howard's use of DADGAD tuning is more than just a textural choice. He uses the tuning melodically, allowing it to become part of the musical story. The result is an evocative soundscape that invites listeners to imagine the mist, mystery, and rugged openness of Highland terrain "Highland Mist" wins out in the end with a combination of restraint and atmosphere. It is a demonstration of how an artist can take an instinctive musical idea and experiment with it in an unexpectedly beautiful way.

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