Trans Europa Expedition
"Trans Europa Expedition" is the second solo album from Vancouver guitarist/composer Ian Gregson.
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The album features original music composed and recorded at the Adanac Sound Studio in East Vancouver over the spring and summer of 2018.
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In May 2018 Ian undertook a transformative journey to Europe, visiting five countries, Iceland, England, Ireland, Spain and Italy. The cities included Rekyavik, Manchester, Liverpool, Dublin, Barcelona, Milan, Florence and of course Ian's hometown of Wigan.
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The music contained in this release is inspired by the trek; whether it be on a plane, train, bus or bicycle or on foot.
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About the Music
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"Iceland" it was only a short 26 hour layover on the May 1st holiday, everywhere was quiet deserted and these snow squalls blew in every few hours, sending me running for cover. [as depicted in album cover]
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"Cycling on a Sitges Sunday Afternoon" taking the train and bike to the lovely town of Sitges and cycling around the narrow streets and then chilling at a pizza place and watching the world go by.
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"San Jacopo al Girone" two days of cycling along the Arno River took me to the small town just outside Firenze. It was at this point, sat on a park bench I realised it was the turning point to head back home.
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"Bury the Ramsbottom" you can't beat Lancashire town names. From my time taking the East Lancashire Steam railway there and back again
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"Florence By Bike' the name of the bike shop I rented my bike from
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"Gorlitzer Park" which of course is in Berlin where I visited in 2015. This is dedicated to the lovely English Lit professor from Minnesota who I met there.
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"Its Snowing in Barcelona" actually written before my trip when it did snow in the city. The lovely Catalan voice over is by Eva LaVila.
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"Riding the LUAS" Dublin weather is unpredictable so I rode the LUAS for the day travelling the length and breadth of the city and listening to those people talk.
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"Manchester Piccadillio" generally inspired by all things Manchester
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"La Whiskeria" a small hideaway in the middle of the old quarter of Barcelona on Sitges Street where I drank the darkest beer on Earth
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"Plaça du Catalunya" you would think something so big would be difficult to navigate on a bike but it wasn't
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"Parco delle Cascine" a lovely respite on the banks of the Arno, perfect getaway from the crazy busy streets of the city
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"Oldham Street" bought a few records and talked about Penguins on my visit here. A few weeks after my return I caught the exact location on Netflix as a scene in show "Safe" filmed in the area.
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"When Narcissus Went Missing" on my random visit to the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool their pre-Raphaelite collection took my breath away, however Narcissus was out on loan. Turns out my x had a copy of it in the living room for years and the room was also featured in the Netflix show "safe".
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"Rainy Glossop Morning" jet lag got me up at 5am sitting in the back garden on this beautiful spot just outside the Peak District
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"Penguins Three" inspired by the two nights performed by my favourite penguins at Frankies Jazz Club in Vancouver
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"Afro Blue" another vain attempt at a classic
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