LONG Preston band The Moonbeams has released a second album celebrating the Yorkshire Dales.

Following its highly acclaimed Sparrowhawk’s Eye album that evoked the beauty of the area, the band has returned with an equally evocative album encompassing the joy of nature and the glory of living in the Dales.

Called Watching Wildlife, it emphasises the beauty of nature and the peace and quiet that can be derived from it.

Watching Wildlife was recorded at Stonegate Studios, Bentham, and, as well as including songs based on the Dales such as Castleberg Hill, Hefted and Boots, other numbers describe brief journeys to Oxford Town and to the west coast of Scotland to battle with The Weather and Tide.

Jon Avison, of The Moonbeams, said; “We are really excited about how Watching Wildlife has turned out.”

The album – which has already been showcased locally – will be launched nationally on Monday.

It has received many positive reviews and radio plays, with live sessions on BBC Radio Leeds and York and a further session planned on Radio Tees on Friday, February 13.

One review by Classic Rock said the “timeless, uncluttered and heartening songs of life, love and nature truly reflect the culture and landscapes of this beautiful part of the country”.

And it added: “This is music to listen to while dreaming and reflecting on the better things of life, and is as satisfying as your Mum’s best recipe, as comforting as your favourite slippers and as natural as the countryside they sing about.”

To celebrate the album’s national launch, The Moonbeams will play at Poppies Tea Room, Bishopdale Court, Settle, next Saturday, February 7, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £7 and are available from the tearoom.

Watching Wildlife is available to download through Amazon, Spotify and itunes and the CD is available through local outlets or direct from The Moonbeams at themoonbeams.co.uk