THE LAST TREE
1. The Last Tree
2. Men Argue
3. A Fine Place
4. Big Fat Dose
5. Surging Seas
6. Doorway To Love
7. Every Man's Greed
8. Last Generation
Alastair Penman – Soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones
Produced by Alastair Penman
Recorded, edited, mixed and mastered by Alastair Penman at Meadowbank Studios, 2024/5.
Artwork design by AleksandAr Veselić and DragANA Veselić
Artist biography at alastairpenman.co.uk/biog
“Penman…is standing in his power as an artist to speak about his passion, through his talent. Inspirational.”
Read the full review from the clarinet and Saxophone Society
"A fine album notable for its superb music as well as its message."
read full review from mfiles.co.uk
“The music is indivisible from the message, and that’s the point, but it’s also a brilliant listen - creative, storytelling composition, skilful playing, a soundscape that draws you in - and all from a true one-man band”
Read the feature in the clarinet and Saxophone Society Magazine
"Penman's multi-tracking is immaculate and the feeling of perfection rather nicely chimes with the contemporary minimal style of much of the music"
Read full review from Planet Hugill
The Last Tree is my second project inspired by Climate Change, following on from my 2020 EP Do You Hear Me?. One of the spoken lines that permeates the title track of Do You Hear Me? is “nothing has changed”, which is a reflection on the fact that we have known about the effect humans are having on the planet for decades (Carbon Dioxide increase was first linked to global warming in 1938!), however whilst politicians continue to pay lip service to the climate crisis, very little has been done to prevent its devastating effects. Whilst climate activists are arrested for peaceful protest, CEOs of oil and gas companies reap huge financial rewards for their exploits and suffer no consequences for their part in the devastation of our planet.
The Last Tree is an eight movement suite for saxophone choir, with each movement based on a quote about climate change from a diverse range of sources. Images accompany each of the tracks and quotes and these can be found in the enclosed booklet. A tree will be planted for every copy purchased.
Alastair Penman, 2025
