EASTBOURNE singer-songwriter David Ford returns on Monday with The Arrangement, a collection of new recordings built around live studio performances with a string quartet.

This ambitious project involves an orchestral take on Ford’s trademark palette of tender balladry to junkyard stomp and all points in between, wherein he recorded seven tracks in his hometown before re-locating to New York to apply the finishing touches with long-time collaborator and Grammy-winning engineer James Brown.

The fiercely independent Ford has built and sustained a decade-long solo career as a multi-instrumentalist and pioneer of the live-looping technique,and now he has moved into new orchestral territory.

This winter Ford will take to the road with the orchestra from The Arrangement sessions to perform selections from his new record as well as lush new interpretations of his most popular songs.

There are no Yorkshire shows, so fans will have to head to Sage, in Gateshead, on December 5 and Gorilla, in Manchester, on December 6. Tickets are on sale at £14 on 0844 478 0898 or at thegigcartel.com