Steam Through All Seasons: A Sonic Time Machine That’ll Take You Places
Let’s get one thing straight—Peter Handford wasn’t just making an album when he put together Steam Through All Seasons. This was 1978, folks, long before Spotify playlists could whisk you off to faraway lands with a single click. No, this is field recording gold from the UK, released on Argo Records, and it’s like stepping into a sepia-toned postcard where trains are kings and nature hums along in the background. It’s not music per se; it’s more of an experience. And honestly? Some bits stick with you.
Take “Spring Mornings On The Carlisle - Edinburgh Line,” for example. There’s something about the rhythm of those old steam engines chuffing through misty mornings that feels almost meditative. You can practically smell the damp grass and hear the faint chirping of birds somewhere off in the distance. It’s not trying too hard—it doesn’t need to. It’s raw, unfiltered life captured perfectly, like someone left a microphone by the tracks and let the world do its thing. I found myself zoning out while listening, imagining what it must’ve been like back then, riding those rails with nothing but time and scenery to keep you company.
And then there’s “Winter, On A Snowy Night At Princes Risborough.” Oh man, this track hits different. The crunch of snow underfoot mixed with the distant whistle of a train cutting through the cold air gives me goosebumps every time. It’s eerie yet comforting, like being wrapped up in a blanket while staring out at a silent, frost-covered world. What gets me most is how quiet everything feels until BAM—the train rolls in, breaking the stillness. It’s like Handford knew exactly how to capture moments that feel both personal and universal. Like, yeah, maybe you’ve never stood on a snowy platform in rural England, but somehow, it feels familiar anyway.
Now, here’s the kicker: Peter Handford didn’t just produce this album—he lived it. He wasn’t sitting in some studio tweaking knobs; nope, he was out there lugging his gear around, chasing sounds like they were fireflies at dusk. You can tell. Every creak of wood, every puff of steam, every rustle of leaves—it all adds up to create these little snapshots of time that feel alive even decades later.
Here’s the unexpected part though: as much as this album celebrates the romance of railways and seasons, it also kinda makes you sad. These aren’t just recordings—they’re relics. Steam trains don’t rule the railways anymore, and places like Barkston Junction or the Schiefe Ebene probably look totally different now. Listening to this feels like flipping through an old photo album your grandpa made, full of memories you’ll never actually live yourself. But hey, isn’t that beautiful in its own weird way?
So if you’re looking for escapism without any fancy tricks, give Steam Through All Seasons a spin. Just don’t blame me if you start dreaming of train rides you’ll never take.
