These pieces were commissioned in the eighties by Nick Austin (Beggars Banquet and Coda records) after a wine fuelled meal celebrating the completion of my 'Bayou Moon' album. 'What shall we do next' -
One of the tracks on Bayou Moon was inspired by the George Caleb Bingham painting of 'Fur traders descending the Missouri', and that was Nicks favourite track, so the idea of extending that concept to europe and the great masters seemed a natural progression.
A set of rostrum camera videos were done for ten of the tracks, and I hoped it might become a teaching tool for schools . . . The videos are around somewhere - I think Nick has a TV channel called Landscape?
Paul French is scoring these pieces for orchestra, I'm looking forward to the sessions, and the album will be available in the new year . . .
The cove painting is by Caitriona Marshall, a great undiscovered Belfast talent . . . .

Anyway - hope you like it . . . . feedback would be lovely too . . . All the best, Tom.