'Touch' (2025)
Behind the album
The album ‘Touch’ is a concept album of 8 tracks that follows a journey through people and places that inspired me from my past. My grandfather and aunt, my family garden, an artist, a famous English songwriter and a favourite poem are all inspiration for songs. These portraits keep the memories and feelings alive as they trace emotions of touch and loss. My family house and garden also provide inspiration for the pastoral feel on this album with memories of tall trees and quiet shade.First song and ideas
The idea for the album came about from my own song dedicated to Nick Drake called ‘A Golden thread’. I miss England and its countryside, and no-one reflects its spirit better than he does. I grew up by the Thames and was lucky enough to spend time by the river near Reading. A weeping willow tree is at the heart of my memories and became the symbol for the wonderful album artwork.The journey
This is a quiet journey of emotions from feelings of loss to finding hope and reassurance. There is a sense of movement and finding courage in dark moments and challenges on the way forward to embracing light.Expert advice and collaboration
The songs on this album were first written over 10 years ago. However, having found a new thread and vision, I took the opportunity to re-record them with Mat Grey at Mad Jaguars Studio. His understanding of and dedication to this project and his incredible talents and skills as a musician and producer were crucial in bringing this album to its fruition.
‘Touch’ single
The single release from the album was ‘Touch. On a creative note, Mat worked with me on this title track which became a joint composition and on which we share the songwriting credits. Originally a piano ballad, this song reaches new heights of emotional intensity in this rich and elegant arrangement by Mat which he created and played. Bristling with rousing brass sounds and stirring percussion, it emboldens and uplifts the soul in a way that is moving and is an anthem of hope. I feel we ‘touch’ a spirit of strength that lies inside us.
Musicians and studio production
All songs recorded at ‘Mad Jaguars Studio’ in Florence, Italy
Drums recorded by Giulio Vannuzzi
Guitars, keyboards & percussion & arrangements: Mat Grey
Piano, keyboards & vocals: Peter Dulborough
Acoustic guitar & vocals on ‘Leave the shadows’: ‘La Marti’ (Martina Magionami)
Drums & percussion on ‘John’s Colours’ + ‘Where the Pole Star lies’: Eugenio Nardelli
Trumpet on ‘John’s Colours’: Samuele Cangi
All songs written © Peter Dulborough
Except’ A Golden Thread’ & ‘Touch’ written © Peter Dulborough & Mat Grey
My good friend Sam Cangi from ‘Blue Moon’ studios plays a wonderfully lyrical and touching Trumpet part on ‘John’s Colours’.
Artwork
I was fortunate to work with talented graphic designer and photographer Chiara Piravano. Her album cover is a ‘tour di force’ of beauty, subtlety and complexity. A weeping willow tree stands at the centre, with an ingenious design that portrays each of the songs in the form of a concept album cover as of days gone by. A willow tree that nourishes and inspires through branches of words and music. Inspiration also that comes from the album cover of Nick Drake’s ‘Pink Moon’.
Behind the songs of the ‘Touch’ album - a synopsis.
1. Couplets of the Heart
Quiet spoken couplets of diverse feeling prepare us for a journey of emotions.
2. A Golden Thread
A tribute to English songwriter Nick Drake. Strength in fragility is the hallmark and essence of his music: ‘the thinnest string / brings forth the sweetest notes’. There is a healing touch in his songs that encourages us: ‘do not despair / music’s everywhere’. Solo guitar with Drake tunings and voice opens the album in simplicity.
3. John’s Colours
Written for the family of a man called John, whose passing affected me deeply. John was a man of great spirit with a wonderful talent for painting. Despite his learning difficulties, he showed incredible creative expression through painting. His bright, bold colours helped John soar in communicating his emotions to everyone.
4. Where the Pole Star lies
My Aunt Jean possessed an irrepressible joy, spontaneity and love for life. She was a guiding light for me. She loved stargazing and, in this song, she is the North Star – ‘an ever-fixed light’. Polaris is always true North. Just find ‘The Great Bear’ in the night sky and trace ‘the Pointers’ with your eye, and they lead to ‘where the Pole star lies’.
5. Heat Wave
A sense of healing reaches us through spoken words of reassurance.
6. Touch
The ‘wiry old companion’ in this song is my grandfather, who was an inspiration for me while I was growing up. He walked the Wiltshire downs well into his mid-eighties, and his indefatigable spirit encouraged me here. The song inspires us to find strength when it seems everything has gone. Once a piano ballad and now with a rich, bold arrangement by Mat Grey.
7. Leave the shadows
I have always been struck by the imagery of ‘The Lady of Shalott’ by Tennyson, which was the starting point for this song. In the poem she is a prisoner in her tower, unable to look out on real life. I changed the narrative so that by taking the courage to look out of her window and see reality, she in fact breaks the spell and can ‘leave the shadows’.
8. Lightness
As we end our journey it seems as though we are waking up from a dream. New hope and warmth are felt as well as new courage. Memories of early morning light at my family home and sounds of nature pervade as a new dawn begins.