THE waterways have played host to an array of talented musicians, who were recording songs in support of a cancer charity.

The ‘Narrowboat Sessions’ are hosted aboard the ‘Cariad IV’ boat, owned by organiser Mark Holdsworth, at Chirk Marina.

Mark offers talented and unsigned musicians the opportunity to come aboard the narrowboat and record a selection of tracks in new surroundings.

Complete with an impressive selection of instruments and recording equipment, the sessions have attracted hundreds of musicians to the cosy confines of the boat’s cabin.

Mark explained: “We basically offer musicians a platform to showcase their work in a totally different recording environment. 

“Since we began the sessions last year we’ve recorded so many talented artists who all seem to really enjoy the experience. Acoustically, the sound we get from recording inside the cabin has to be heard to be believed. 

“Professional studio engineers have listened to it and been amazed at the rich sound we can achieve by recording in the confines of such a small space.”

Though moored in Chirk for most of the year, Mark traverses the UK’s waterway network every summer to recruit more musicians to the sessions.

Once enough material has been recorded, he compiles a professionally produced album and donates its profits to Cancer Research UK.

Alexandra Jayne, a singer-songwriter who supported James Blunt during his UK tour, was among the artists to participate in last week’s sessions at Chirk marina.

The 22-year-old took some time out from her performance schedule to record three tracks in the sedate surroundings of the narrowboat.

She said: “I heard rave reviews about The Narrowboat sessions via fellow musicians so approached Mark and inquired about a session.

“The three songs I recorded will be released on my upcoming EP with the title track Clumsy Love, the other two being Hullabaloo and Danger Zone.”

“It was a very cosy performance. Mark’s narrowboat is an Aladdin’s cave of weird and wonderful musical instruments and recording equipment.”

Videos of all the musicians to have performed onboard are available to view on the ‘Narrowboat Sessions’ Facebook page, which will also publicise details of the forthcoming compilation album.