The Shieling – Companion Pieces Fergus McCreadie

• 1 The Pass 04:36
• 2 Ford the River 05:10
• 3 Lily Bay (Alternate Take) 03:57
• 4 Boulderfield 05:44
• 5 Red Deer 02:42
• 6 Windshelter (Alternate Take) 10:41
• Total Runtime 32:50

Info for The Shieling – Companion Pieces

The Shieling – Companion Pieces is the new EP from acclaimed Scottish pianist and composer Fergus McCreadie, accompanying his 2025 album The Shieling. Recorded on North Uist in a remote cottage in the Outer Hebrides, with the trio gathered in one room around an upright piano, these pieces extend the atmosphere and shared concentration of that defining session. As the title suggests, the tracks serve as intimate counterparts to The Shieling, revealing the trio’s emotional depth and instinctive interplay. The music continues in an open, flowing direction – folk-inflected melody meeting lyrical improvisation, shaped with clarity, space and quiet intensity.

With David Bowden and Stephen Henderson, McCreadie builds on a sound forged through years of collective trust and sustained touring, blending Scottish folk spirit with modern jazz language. In a short span, he has become one of British jazz’s leading voices, recognised for performances that carry directness and emotional weight. Alongside his long-standing trio, he has developed a formidable catalogue of compositions and recordings, grounded in melodic strength, shared purpose and a deep connection with audiences.

Fergus McCreadie, piano
David Bowden, double bass
Stephen Henderson, drums

Recorded 6-10 January, Lochmaddy, North Uist
Recorded by Gus Stirrat
Mixed by James McMillan
Mastered by Michael Scherchen
Produced by Laura Jurd
Executive producer Dave Stapleton

Fergus McCreadie
Blending jazz with the spirit of Scottish folk, pianist Fergus McCreadie crafts music inspired by his homeland’s breath-taking landscapes. His sound transcends genre, connecting deeply with audiences worldwide. Fergus’s 2022 album Forest Floor was met with instant critical acclaim, topping the UK Jazz & Blues charts and earning him a Mercury Prize shortlist nomination, Jazz FM’s Instrumentalist of the Year Award, and the Scottish Album of the Year Award—the first jazz artist to receive the honour. The album also led to sold-out UK shows and praise from BBC 6Music, NME, and The Times. His 2024 follow-up, Stream, continues his sonic exploration of nature, this time capturing the fluid beauty of water. An official Yamaha Artist, Fergus remains at the forefront of contemporary jazz. In 2025, he will tour the UK, including a headline show at London’s legendary Union Chapel, and perform at major European jazz festivals in Italy and Belgium.

This album contains no booklet.