Robert Harley’s much-anticipated album, ‘Big Tree,’ is set to release on August 25th. This collection of tracks traverses an eclectic spectrum of genres, inviting listeners to explore the depths of emotion, nature’s innocence, and the intricacies of human heartache.
Quoting Harley, “Embark on a musical odyssey with ‘Big Tree,’ an extraordinary album that traverses an eclectic spectrum of genres. From the captivating folk-indie allure of ‘Big Tree’ to the poignant blues narrative of ‘I Can’t Wait,’ the entrancing jazz-infused emotions of ‘Tears That Ain’t Mine,’ the timeless beauty of the instrumental ‘Fiadh,’ and new Focus Track ‘These Days’, which takes a slightly different turn and features the saxophone, each track unveils a world of emotions. ‘Big Tree’ is not just an album, but a profound exploration of nature’s innocence and the complexities of human heartache.”
Rob Harley’s journey towards ‘Big Tree’ began almost two years ago, and it has been nothing short of a labour of love and creativity. Set against the tranquil backdrop of Monique Studios in East Cork, under the seasoned guidance of Producer and Drummer Christian Best (Mick Flannery, Suson O’Neill), the album’s musical vision flourished into a stunning reality. Best’s extensive experience is evident as he skillfully guided the album’s development, creating an atmosphere of collaboration and creativity that defined the project.
Rob Harley expressed his gratitude for the collaborative process, stating, “It was a great opportunity to be able to work with Christian, and a great experience. He introduced me to some fantastic session musicians. We started the process by laying down my guitar and vocal as a guide and built on the songs from there. Christian and I would converse over ideas and interesting effects we could use, but he definitely had a vision of the end product of every song.”
Rob Harley reflects on the album, saying, “‘Big Tree’ is not just an album, but a musical journey that has spanned time and one of my life’s milestones. This collection of songs carries the essence of collaboration and spontaneity, with some tracks taking shape in the studio itself. While not all of these compositions found their place in the album, they remain a testament to my artistic evolution.”
Prepare to be swept away by the extraordinary musical experience that is ‘Big Tree.’ With its fusion of folk-indie allure, poignant blues narratives, entrancing jazz emotions, and timeless instrumental beauty, this album promises to resonate deeply with listeners. As August 25th approaches, anticipation builds for the moment when the world can immerse itself in the captivating melodies and thought-provoking themes of ‘Big Tree.’
BIO
Rob Harley was born in London to Irish parents, at the age of five they moved to San Francisco, this is where Rob began to notice the live sounds of street buskers and blues music around the Haight-Ashbury district, his family then moved back to Cork City in Ireland. Rob bought his first guitar, a 12 string Ibanez acoustic, and began to try and emulate the songs of The Beatles moving on to the blues of John Lee Hooker and Rory Gallagher.
In 2019 Rob started his second album ‘Big Tree’ with Producer/Engineer/Drummer Christian Best, a ten track album featuring the saxophone of Liam O’brien, Darragh Keary on piano and keyboards and Chris McCarthy on electric and double bass. ‘Big Tree’ was due to be released in 2020 but due to the covid lockdowns and the birth of his daughter, the release had to be postponed. In January 2022 Rob released the fist single from ‘Big Tree’ called ‘Crying For You’, In April 2022 the second single ‘These Days’ was released and was featured on Dr. Chris Ryans podcast Tangentially Speaking, the third single ‘Swinging For Fences’ was released in June 2022.
Produced and mastered by the renowned Christian Best, “Big Tree” is a collection of songs that showcase Rob Harley’s unique songwriting and vocal abilities. The album features an all-star lineup of musicians, including Liam O’Brien on sax, Darragh Keary on piano and keyboards, Chris McCarthy on bass, and Christian Best on drums.
Album Tracklist
1. Big Tree
2. Crying For You
3. I Can’t Wait
4. Tears That Ain’t Mine
5. Liar
6. Straight For Your Love
7. Swinging For Fences
8. These Days
9. When it’s Done
10. Fiadh