Keepsake by Cloudland Blue Quartet
“Keepsake” is a new "live suite" from Cloudland Blue Quartet, following on from those performed live in 2023, 2024 and 2025
While the 43 minute piece is a partial reworking of parts of each of the previous three live suites, it also incorporates new elements, including interviews carried out in late August and early September 2024 with David's mother, Alison, pre and post her 94th birthday, just before her death
The seven interview excerpts included in the work comprise stories from across her long life. Losing her mother at the age of 9; how she came to meet her husband; the death of her father and births of her three children; relocating in the late 60's; returning to work in the 70's; retiring in 1990 and subsequent occasional travels; the death of her husband in 2003, how she coped thereafter with final reflections on her life so far and her hopes for the future, which was, sadly, only to amount to a few more days. David and Anne flew to Madrid the day before she died. His last words to her were “Don't die before I get back”. “I'll probably be OK”, she said
The LP was released on 18 September 2025, the first anniversary of her death. It closes with a recording made in Retiro Park in Madrid, around the very time she passed away
Tracklist
Credits
released September 18, 2025
David Reilly:
Synthesisers, Guitars, Piano, Field Recordings, Short Wave Radio,
Rhythm Beds, Drum Kit, Samples & Treatments, Composition, Production and Design
with (in order of appearance):-
Edward Spark: Synthesisers, Rhythm Beds and Programming on “Milwaukee Road", “Time Has Fallen" and “The Sin of the Spark”
Alison Reilly: Spoken Word on "Interview 1 - 6"
Fred Hessler: Piano on “The Nowik Hessler Liminal"
Matthew Nowik: Synthesisers “The Nowik Hessler Liminal"
Robert Fripp: Guitar on “The Heavenly Music Corporation" and "Evening Star"
Brian Eno: Synthesisers, Treatments on “The Heavenly Music Corporation", "Discreet Music" and "Evening Star"
Western Jaguar: Guitar on “Milwaukee"
Kurt Loebel, Elmer Setzer, Bruno Monsangeon, Gilles Apap, Laura Andriani, Nathalie Camus, Benjamin Ziervogel & Raphael Kasprian: Violins on “Variation on Gould Opus 1”
Tom Brennand, Gérard Caussé, Luc Beauchemin & Jozef Bisak: Violas on “Variation on Gould Opus 1”
Thomas Liberti, Alain Meunier, David Ellis & Thomas Wiesflecker: Cellos on “Variation on Gould Opus 1”
Robert Scott Thomson: VSTi instruments, Field Recordings, Samples, Treatments on “Forest Ascent Part IV"
Minty: Piano, Synthesiser, Treatments on “Untitled Abstract Piece No 3"
Christopher Rowland: Violin on “Shostakovich 11-122-3"
Jonathan Sparey: Violin on “Shostakovich 11-122-3"
Alan George: Viola on “Shostakovich 11-122-3"
Ioan Davies: Cello on “Shostakovich 11-122-3"
Harris Wilson: Treated Vocal on “The Harris Untitled Machine in C”
Mary Fowler: Hesitant Piano on “Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms”
Anonymous: Saxophone on “Madrid Retiro Park Anonymous Saxophone 2024-09-18 09:15 am UK Time”
Elements Recorded/Created between 12 January 2014 and 15 August 2025 at Crispycat Studio, Edinburgh, UK; Tasty, Gorebridge, UK; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Williamwood Parish Church, Glasgow, UK; Mayburn Hill, Loanhead, UK; Retiro Park, Madrid, Spain and in various other locations
Mixing and rehearsal sessions 24 August to 17 September 2025
“Keepsake” comprises the following elements (in order of appearance - those elements marked with an asterisk are included in the Ambient Mix exclusively available to downloaders):-
1. “Milwaukee Road" from "The Great Carving" (2025)
2. "Interview 1" from "Keepsake" (2025)
3. "11615 Numbers Station 1” from "Live Suite No 1 (2023/24)" (2023)*
4. “The Nowik Hessler Liminal (CBQ Short Mix)” from “The Hessler Nowik Liminal Conundrum” (2024)*
5. “Ville d'Avrey (1867)" from “Disquietmusik V” (2021)*
6. “Open Him Up” from “Twentytwentythree” (2023)
7. "SW-11USB2158" from "Keepsake" (2025)
8. “Time Has Fallen" from “Fallentime” (2023)*
9. "Interview 2" from "Keepsake" (2025)
10. “The Heavenly Music Corporation" from "Variations on Fripp & Eno's "No Pussyfooting"" (2025)*
11. “Discreet Music (Exclusion Variation IV)” from “Variations on Brian Eno's "Discreet Music" (2025)*
12. “Rhythm Bed 5" from "Live Suite No 1 (2023/24)" (2023)
13. "Bells Close Up" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)*
14. "U2 Nach Ruhleben" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)*
15. “We Were Made to Be (Extended Mix)” from “Mercurial” (2024)*
16. "CAP+NET SWR Red Robin 77" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)
17. “Milwaukee (CBQ For Darkness North Shore Ambient Remix)” from “Twentytwentythree” (2023)*
18. “For Darkness - Situation and Circumstance (1971)” from “Disquietmusik VI” (2022)*
19. "Army Intelligence Mailman" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)
20. “Esterházy" from “Haydn” (2021)
21. “Solo Piano Pt 2" from “Variation on Brian Eno's "Music For Airports"” (2021)
22. “Sollie 17 (1979-80)" from “Disquietmusik VI” (2022)*
23. “Elsa 1st May" from “Cage” (2020)
24.“Rhythm Bed 6" from "Live Suite No 1 (2023/24)" (2023)
25. "Environment 6" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)*
26. "Airport Announcement" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)
27. “Evening Star" from "Variations on Fripp & Eno's" Evening Star"" (2025)*
28. “Claduégne (1972)” from “Disquietmusik VII” (2023)*
29. “Variation on Gould Opus 1” from “Gould” (2025)*
30. "Environment 7" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)*
31. “The Forest of Fontainebleau, Morning (1851)” from “Disquietmusik VII” (2023)*
32. “Forest Ascent Part IV" from "Forest Ascent" (Due October 2025)*
33. "Interview 3" from "Keepsake" (2025)
34. “Don't write a letter when you want to leave" from "Twentytwentyfive" (Due December 2025)*
35. “Untitled Abstract Piece No 3" from "Ten Untitled Abstract Pieces Ten Untitled Abstract Episodes" (2025)*
36. “Shostakovich 11-122-3" from "Shostakovich" (Due February 2026)
37. “387 IV" from “387” (2022)*
38. “Williamwood" from "Twentytwentyfive" (Due December 2025)*
39. "1966 Spanish Numbers Station” from "Live Suite No 1 (2023/24)" (2023)
40. “Passing Messages” from "Live Suite No 1 (2023/24)" (2023)
41. "Radio w/ Reverb" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)
42. "Interview 4" from "Keepsake" (2025)
43. “Like a Sunday Pt V" from "Like a Sunday" (Due November 2025)*
44. “Above the Town (Disunited 7 Inch Mix)" from "Above the Town EP" (2025)
45. “Abstract Painting (1959)" from "Disquietmusik VIII" (2024)*
46. "Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee Passenger Service" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)*
47. “Perfectly Shaped" from "Dissolution V" (2025)*
48. “The Descent from the Cross (1505)" from "Disquietmusik VIII" (2024)*
49. “The Last Supper (1652)" from "Disquietmusik VIII" (2024)*
50. “Strand I: A Deadly Place” from “Strand” (2025)*
51. “The Harris Untitled Machine in C” from “Twentytwentythree” (2023)
52. “Untitled (Free) (1992)” from “Disquietmusik VI” (2022)
53. “Wrexham II" from "Wrexham" (2025)*
54. “Sarah (1943)" from "Disquietmusik VIII" (2024)*
55. “Berg Lyric Suite" from “Schoenberg Webern Berg” (2021)*
56. “The Sin of the Spark” from “Twentytwentyfour” (2024)*
57. "Interview 5" from "Keepsake" (2025)
58. “More Work” from “Departure” (2023)
59. “Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms” from “Twentytwentythree” (2023)*
60. “Never Say Never (CBQ Sollie Lake Ambient Mix)” from “Twentytwentythree” (2023)*
61. "Interview 6" from "Keepsake" (2025)
62. “SS SQ XIX 1st Movement" from “Four Last Things” (2016)*
63. “Mighty Atom (CBQ Goldfinch Extended Twin Drummer Mix)” from “Twentytwentythree” (2023)
64. "Environment 4" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)*
65. “A Show Like This (12 Inch Instrumental Mix)” from “The Dark Room” (2024)
66. “Too Brightly To Conceal” from “Providence” (2024)*
67. "Field 2023-03-13 III (Edit)" from “Keepsake” (2025)*
68. "11615 Numbers Station 2” from "Live Suite No 1 (2023/24)" (2023)*
69. "Sorrowful" from "Dark" (due June 2026)*
70. "Interview 7" from "Keepsake" (2025)
71. “Speak to Me (Ambient Variation) II” from “Variations on Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon"” (2023)*
72. “Madrid Retiro Park Anonymous Saxophone 2024-09-18 09:15 am UK Time” from “Keepsake” (2025)
For best results, please listen on headphones, in the dark (or get along to a performance!)
Produced by David Reilly
(p) 2025 Crispycat Recordings © David Reilly 2025
Executive Producer : Anne Reilly
Bonus Material - Download Only (41:54) Tracks 17-25
17. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt I (on "Ville d'Avrey (1867)") 06:18
18. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt II (on "Milwaukee For Darkness Circle") 06:36
19. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt III (on "Evening Star") 05:43
20. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt IV (on "Williamwood") 01:56
21. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt V (on "The Descent From the Cross (1505)") 06:12
22. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt VI (on "Berg Lyric Suite") 03:13
23. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt VII (on "Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms") 07:02
24. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt VIII (on "Too Brightly To Conceal") 02:28
25. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt IX (on "Sorrowful") 02:23
David Reilly:
Synthesisers, Guitars, Piano, Field Recordings, Short Wave Radio,
Rhythm Beds, Drum Kit, Samples & Treatments, Composition, Production and Design
with (in order of appearance):-
Edward Spark: Synthesisers, Rhythm Beds and Programming on “Milwaukee Road", “Time Has Fallen" and “The Sin of the Spark”
Alison Reilly: Spoken Word on "Interview 1 - 6"
Fred Hessler: Piano on “The Nowik Hessler Liminal"
Matthew Nowik: Synthesisers “The Nowik Hessler Liminal"
Robert Fripp: Guitar on “The Heavenly Music Corporation" and "Evening Star"
Brian Eno: Synthesisers, Treatments on “The Heavenly Music Corporation", "Discreet Music" and "Evening Star"
Western Jaguar: Guitar on “Milwaukee"
Kurt Loebel, Elmer Setzer, Bruno Monsangeon, Gilles Apap, Laura Andriani, Nathalie Camus, Benjamin Ziervogel & Raphael Kasprian: Violins on “Variation on Gould Opus 1”
Tom Brennand, Gérard Caussé, Luc Beauchemin & Jozef Bisak: Violas on “Variation on Gould Opus 1”
Thomas Liberti, Alain Meunier, David Ellis & Thomas Wiesflecker: Cellos on “Variation on Gould Opus 1”
Robert Scott Thomson: VSTi instruments, Field Recordings, Samples, Treatments on “Forest Ascent Part IV"
Minty: Piano, Synthesiser, Treatments on “Untitled Abstract Piece No 3"
Christopher Rowland: Violin on “Shostakovich 11-122-3"
Jonathan Sparey: Violin on “Shostakovich 11-122-3"
Alan George: Viola on “Shostakovich 11-122-3"
Ioan Davies: Cello on “Shostakovich 11-122-3"
Harris Wilson: Treated Vocal on “The Harris Untitled Machine in C”
Mary Fowler: Hesitant Piano on “Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms”
Anonymous: Saxophone on “Madrid Retiro Park Anonymous Saxophone 2024-09-18 09:15 am UK Time”
Elements Recorded/Created between 12 January 2014 and 15 August 2025 at Crispycat Studio, Edinburgh, UK; Tasty, Gorebridge, UK; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Williamwood Parish Church, Glasgow, UK; Mayburn Hill, Loanhead, UK; Retiro Park, Madrid, Spain and in various other locations
Mixing and rehearsal sessions 24 August to 17 September 2025
“Keepsake” comprises the following elements (in order of appearance - those elements marked with an asterisk are included in the Ambient Mix exclusively available to downloaders):-
1. “Milwaukee Road" from "The Great Carving" (2025)
2. "Interview 1" from "Keepsake" (2025)
3. "11615 Numbers Station 1” from "Live Suite No 1 (2023/24)" (2023)*
4. “The Nowik Hessler Liminal (CBQ Short Mix)” from “The Hessler Nowik Liminal Conundrum” (2024)*
5. “Ville d'Avrey (1867)" from “Disquietmusik V” (2021)*
6. “Open Him Up” from “Twentytwentythree” (2023)
7. "SW-11USB2158" from "Keepsake" (2025)
8. “Time Has Fallen" from “Fallentime” (2023)*
9. "Interview 2" from "Keepsake" (2025)
10. “The Heavenly Music Corporation" from "Variations on Fripp & Eno's "No Pussyfooting"" (2025)*
11. “Discreet Music (Exclusion Variation IV)” from “Variations on Brian Eno's "Discreet Music" (2025)*
12. “Rhythm Bed 5" from "Live Suite No 1 (2023/24)" (2023)
13. "Bells Close Up" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)*
14. "U2 Nach Ruhleben" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)*
15. “We Were Made to Be (Extended Mix)” from “Mercurial” (2024)*
16. "CAP+NET SWR Red Robin 77" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)
17. “Milwaukee (CBQ For Darkness North Shore Ambient Remix)” from “Twentytwentythree” (2023)*
18. “For Darkness - Situation and Circumstance (1971)” from “Disquietmusik VI” (2022)*
19. "Army Intelligence Mailman" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)
20. “Esterházy" from “Haydn” (2021)
21. “Solo Piano Pt 2" from “Variation on Brian Eno's "Music For Airports"” (2021)
22. “Sollie 17 (1979-80)" from “Disquietmusik VI” (2022)*
23. “Elsa 1st May" from “Cage” (2020)
24.“Rhythm Bed 6" from "Live Suite No 1 (2023/24)" (2023)
25. "Environment 6" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)*
26. "Airport Announcement" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)
27. “Evening Star" from "Variations on Fripp & Eno's" Evening Star"" (2025)*
28. “Claduégne (1972)” from “Disquietmusik VII” (2023)*
29. “Variation on Gould Opus 1” from “Gould” (2025)*
30. "Environment 7" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)*
31. “The Forest of Fontainebleau, Morning (1851)” from “Disquietmusik VII” (2023)*
32. “Forest Ascent Part IV" from "Forest Ascent" (Due October 2025)*
33. "Interview 3" from "Keepsake" (2025)
34. “Don't write a letter when you want to leave" from "Twentytwentyfive" (Due December 2025)*
35. “Untitled Abstract Piece No 3" from "Ten Untitled Abstract Pieces Ten Untitled Abstract Episodes" (2025)*
36. “Shostakovich 11-122-3" from "Shostakovich" (Due February 2026)
37. “387 IV" from “387” (2022)*
38. “Williamwood" from "Twentytwentyfive" (Due December 2025)*
39. "1966 Spanish Numbers Station” from "Live Suite No 1 (2023/24)" (2023)
40. “Passing Messages” from "Live Suite No 1 (2023/24)" (2023)
41. "Radio w/ Reverb" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)
42. "Interview 4" from "Keepsake" (2025)
43. “Like a Sunday Pt V" from "Like a Sunday" (Due November 2025)*
44. “Above the Town (Disunited 7 Inch Mix)" from "Above the Town EP" (2025)
45. “Abstract Painting (1959)" from "Disquietmusik VIII" (2024)*
46. "Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee Passenger Service" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)*
47. “Perfectly Shaped" from "Dissolution V" (2025)*
48. “The Descent from the Cross (1505)" from "Disquietmusik VIII" (2024)*
49. “The Last Supper (1652)" from "Disquietmusik VIII" (2024)*
50. “Strand I: A Deadly Place” from “Strand” (2025)*
51. “The Harris Untitled Machine in C” from “Twentytwentythree” (2023)
52. “Untitled (Free) (1992)” from “Disquietmusik VI” (2022)
53. “Wrexham II" from "Wrexham" (2025)*
54. “Sarah (1943)" from "Disquietmusik VIII" (2024)*
55. “Berg Lyric Suite" from “Schoenberg Webern Berg” (2021)*
56. “The Sin of the Spark” from “Twentytwentyfour” (2024)*
57. "Interview 5" from "Keepsake" (2025)
58. “More Work” from “Departure” (2023)
59. “Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms” from “Twentytwentythree” (2023)*
60. “Never Say Never (CBQ Sollie Lake Ambient Mix)” from “Twentytwentythree” (2023)*
61. "Interview 6" from "Keepsake" (2025)
62. “SS SQ XIX 1st Movement" from “Four Last Things” (2016)*
63. “Mighty Atom (CBQ Goldfinch Extended Twin Drummer Mix)” from “Twentytwentythree” (2023)
64. "Environment 4" from "Live Suite No 2 (2024/25)" (2024)*
65. “A Show Like This (12 Inch Instrumental Mix)” from “The Dark Room” (2024)
66. “Too Brightly To Conceal” from “Providence” (2024)*
67. "Field 2023-03-13 III (Edit)" from “Keepsake” (2025)*
68. "11615 Numbers Station 2” from "Live Suite No 1 (2023/24)" (2023)*
69. "Sorrowful" from "Dark" (due June 2026)*
70. "Interview 7" from "Keepsake" (2025)
71. “Speak to Me (Ambient Variation) II” from “Variations on Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon"” (2023)*
72. “Madrid Retiro Park Anonymous Saxophone 2024-09-18 09:15 am UK Time” from “Keepsake” (2025)
For best results, please listen on headphones, in the dark (or get along to a performance!)
Produced by David Reilly
(p) 2025 Crispycat Recordings © David Reilly 2025
Executive Producer : Anne Reilly
Bonus Material - Download Only (41:54) Tracks 17-25
17. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt I (on "Ville d'Avrey (1867)") 06:18
18. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt II (on "Milwaukee For Darkness Circle") 06:36
19. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt III (on "Evening Star") 05:43
20. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt IV (on "Williamwood") 01:56
21. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt V (on "The Descent From the Cross (1505)") 06:12
22. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt VI (on "Berg Lyric Suite") 03:13
23. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt VII (on "Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms") 07:02
24. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt VIII (on "Too Brightly To Conceal") 02:28
25. Keepsake (Ambient Mix) Pt IX (on "Sorrowful") 02:23
License
All rights reserved.
A quartet in name only, initially influenced by Fripp & Eno's "No Pussyfooting" and The Velvet Underground's debut, songwriter & soundscaper David Reilly started musicking in 1977 by creating drones using sellotape on the keys of his dad's Bontempi Organ. The subsequent junk shop purchases of an electric guitar & fuzzbox and the acquisition of an old Beatles songbook, led him into songwriting...