David Boulter’s ‘St Ann’s’ Album: A Sonic Tribute to Nottingham’s Historic Transformation
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David Boulter, known for his work as the keyboardist for Tindersticks, returns with a deeply personal and evocative album titled St Ann’s, released under the Clay Pipe label. This album marks his return to solo work after focusing on soundtrack projects since his previous releases, Yarmouth (2020) and Lovers Walk (2021). St Ann’s is not just a collection of music but a nostalgic journey through Boulter’s formative years spent in the St Ann’s district of Nottingham, an area that underwent dramatic changes during the 1960s and 70s.
The inspiration for St Ann’s stems from Boulter’s childhood experiences living in one of the most deprived areas of England, where the old Victorian-era housing was marked for slum clearance. The stark contrast between the dilapidated, damp conditions of the old St Ann’s and the bright, modern facilities of the new estate built in its place is central to the album’s narrative. Boulter’s use of instruments like the guitar, double bass, vibraphone, and field recordings helps to recreate the atmosphere of both the crumbling Victorian streets and the renewed post-1960s neighborhood, capturing the essence of an era that reshaped the lives of many.
As Boulter reflects on the transition from the old St Ann’s to the new, he recounts how his family moved to a modern house equipped with amenities that were previously unimaginable. The joy and wonder of these newfound comforts, from indoor plumbing to a garden of their own, are vividly brought to life in the music. The album also touches on the melancholy of seeing the old streets and his Victorian school being torn down, a poignant reminder of the sweeping changes that were taking place across Britain’s inner cities during that time.
St Ann’s is more than just a personal memoir; it is a broader commentary on the urban renewal that swept through British cities in the mid-20th century. The emotions that Boulter experienced while emptying his family home in late 2022, after his mother could no longer live there alone, are woven into the fabric of the album. These feelings, combined with the memories of his childhood in Nottingham, have culminated in a body of work that resonates with both nostalgia and a celebration of the community that shaped him. St Ann’s stands as a testament to Boulter’s connection to his roots, offering listeners a rich, immersive experience that honors the past while embracing the changes that define the present.
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