Martin Lloyd Howard Brings Vintage Guitar Soul to “Hidden Andalucia”
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Have you ever bought something so well-made that it lasted for decades? I mean these days most of our gadgets break after a year use or 2. But English guitarist Martin Lloyd Howard plays a classical guitar that is fifty years old and completely handmade. They use to make them good and lasting those days, unlike today, regardless Martin is a great keeper cos the same guitar would probably be damaged in another person’s hand.
Now who’s Martin Lloyd Howard? Well, Martin is a highly skilled player who started out with strict classical training, but he eventually branched out into folk, blues, and rock. And tell you what, the guy can shred on an electric guitar or play slide guitar with the best of them, but his real bread and butter is creating original instrumental music. His latest release is a beautiful solo classical guitar track called “Hidden Andalucia.”
Now, when you think of classical guitar music, you might think of something stiff that belongs in a quiet museum. But Martin decided to smash two completely different historical styles together to see what would happen and the results? A masterpiece that will leave you in awe. The track is divided into three distinct parts.
The very beginning and the very end of the song are loosely based on the old work of John Dowland, who was a super famous lutenist and composer all the way back in the Elizabethan era. Think of noble courts and fancy clothes, “Hidden Andalucia” starts out very elegant, slow, and regal, letting those clear acoustic notes ring out from his ancient guitar, then it begins to consume you, relaxes you and set you in the mood for what’s to come.
Then right in the middle of the track, Martin pulls off a brilliant surprise. He throws a whole series of fiery Spanish flamenco themes into the mix. Suddenly, the rhythm shifts and the energy gets way more intense. The fingers start flying across the fretboard, bringing in that passionate, rhythmic strumming that makes you want to stomp your feet.
The coolest part about “Hidden Andalucia” is how naturally it flows. It could have easily ended up sounding like a messy accident, but Martin keeps everything perfectly smooth. The transition from a centuries-old English style into a hot Spanish dance feels completely natural. It shows just how much control and experience the guy has. When he isn’t busy recording solo tracks, Martin loves collaborating with other musicians, like Mark Johnson from the Kent-based band The Midnight River Crew. But on this specific single, it is just one guy, his fifty-year-old guitar, and a lot of creative imagination.
I don’t need to tell you, but maybe take a break from loud vocals and heavy electronic beats, and escape into a serene atmosphere with this instrumental masterpiece. It is a relaxing, impressive piece of musicianship that makes great background music for studying, reading, or just enjoying a morning cup of coffee.
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