Songs from The Compleat Angler by Overview Jerry Gilbert 　　 　　To take one of the most enduring canons in English 　　literature and attempt to paint a soundscape faithful to its 17th century origins would seem to require 　　an act of supreme savoir-faire or plain misguided heroism. 　　 　　First published in 1653, Izaak Walton’s seminal work, The Compleat Angler, has not only become the de facto fisherman’s reference book but is one of the 　　earliest works to extol the virtues of rural England and the natural environment in a century awash with political and religious upheaval. It is this classic piece of post-Jacobean pastoral narrative (and associated poems) — 　　which traces a four day fishing trip between two friends — that Paul Brett has succeeded in forging into an album of exquisite beauty. 　　 　　As both a virtuoso acoustic 12-string guitarist and keen angler since childhood, you could argue that scales have probably been a central feature of Brett’s life. It was one such fishing trip with Eric Humphreys, captain of the 　　Welsh National Angling Team, that provided the impulse for the CD. Once the tiny embryo was born the momentum became unstoppable. 　　 　　Of The Compleat Angler, which remained a work in progress for many years after its first edition was published, Paul Brett says, “It’s a timeless work, but there is something in that book that compels you to propagate its existence … which is why it has survived through the centuries.” 　　 　　He could already hear the guitar and vocal parts — and realized the six-string element would best be implemented on a small Parlour guitar in combination with a fatter 12-string, thus enabling the guitarist to leap as seamlessly as the salmon between the two fretboards. 　　 　　Carla Zappala provided an intuitive amount of seasoning to the mix, with her scoring for string quartet, flute, piccolo and oboe. 　　 　　 　　 　　And so, a journey which began benignly on the banks of the Bron Eifion lake, in Criccieth, North Wales has reached its epic conclusion. 　　Izaak subtitled his book ‘A Contemplative Man’s 　　Recreation’. Three and a half centuries later, I am certain Paul Brett would also settle for that. 　　 　　An Historic and truly remarkable CD.