A Ladder is Not the Only Kind of Time

10 ECHOES

Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

A Ladder is Not the Only Kind of Time is an album by the composer Benjamin Tassie. Recorded in Sheffield's historic Rivelin Valley, the album features three new water-powered instruments: a harpsichord, hurdy-gurdy, and hydraulis (or water organ). Powered by the river, the instruments produce sound mechanically. Water-wheels turn to ‘play’ the harpsichord and hurdy-gurdy, while the water organ is sounded as water displaces air within the instrument (a system based on an Ancient Greek design).

Combining mechanically-produced historical-music, film, field-recoding, and live performance, A Ladder is Not the Only Kind of Time explores ideas of heritage, place, and our changing relationship with the landscape.

Each track was recorded at the site of a former water mill in the valley. This sound walk returns the music to the locations it was recorded in.

A Ladder is Not the Only Kind of Time is released on the Birmingham Record Company label.

Hind Wheel

Hind Wheel is the first recorded wheel in the valley. It was built sometime before the 1580s and was in use until the 1930s. The wheel was used for cutlery grinding and to make the metal inserts for ladies' corsets.

This track features the hydraulus (or water organ) and the Medieval Rebec, played by Benjamin Tassie.

1 sound

Plonk Wheel

Also known as Bobby Wheel and Sawbridge Mill, Plonk Wheel was in operation from 1737 until the 1850s. It was used for cutlery grinding, and possibly as a saw mill.

This track features the water-powered harpsichord. Listen closely, and you'll hear passing motorbikes and a jogger.

1 sound

Swallow Wheel

Used for cutlery and razor grinding, Swallow Wheel was in use from the 1690s to the early 1900s.

This track features all three instruments: the hydraulus, water-powered harpsichord, and water-powered hurdy gurdy.

1 sound

Wolf Wheel

Also known as Rocher Wheel and Rocker Wheel, Wolf Wheel was operational from the 1720s to the 1930s when it was used for cutlery and razor grinding.

This track features the water-powered harpsichord, the water-powered hurdy gurdy, and an ancient Swedish instrument, the nyckelharpa, performed by Rob Bentall. Listen carefully, and you will hear the call of a buzzard.

1 sound

Frank Wheel

Frank Wheel (1730s-1900s) was used to grind cutler and as a paper mill.

This track features both the water-powered hurdy gurdy and the water-powered harpsichord.

1 sound

Second Coppice Wheel

Operational between the 1730s and 1900s, Second Coppice Wheel was used for knife, scythe, and saw grinding, then later as a wire-drawing mill.

This track featured the water-powered hurdy gurdy, water-powered harpsichord, the Renaissance bass viol (performed by Rebecca Lee) and lap steel guitar (performed by Benjamin Tassie).

1 sound

Upper Coppice Wheel

Upper Coppice Wheel was built in 1736. Used to grind cutlery and draw wire, the wheel was in use until the 1900s.

This track featured the water-powered hurdy gurdy and the hyrdaulus.

1 sound

Little London Wheel

Built in 1752 and in use until the 1910s, Little London Wheel was used for cutlery and file grinding.

This track features the water-powered harpsichord and the lap steel guitar, performed by Benjamin Tassie.

1 sound

Roscoe Wheel

Roscoe Wheel - also known as Hoole's Wheel and Willow Bank Wheel - was used to grind cutlery and as a blacking mill from c.1725 to the 1920s.

This track is a recording of the river on its own.

1 sound

Walkley Bank Tilt

The last in the valley to close, Walkley Bank Tilt was built in the 1750s and was in use until the 1950s. Also known as Hallam Wheel and Walkley Tilt, it was used for cutler grinding and wire drawing.

This track, recorded when the river was fast following heavy rain, features the water-powered hurdy gurdy.

1 sound