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Gareth Davies-Jones

Website: http://www.myspace.com/garethdaviesjones

When we heard Gareth Davies-Jones first cut, "Only For A Shortwhile" we marked him down as a singer/songwriter to keep an ear on. "Water & Light totally vindicates that opinion. Gareth continues to rise in stature as a wordsmith. He's at home writing about people and politics as he is about more emotionally themed tracks. He seems to understand the human condition, quirks and all. His no compromise approach to getting his thoughts down on paper and out through his songs have been rewarded with one hell of an album.

Album:Wail And Holler

Website: http://www.myspace.com/garyfulton

First brought to our attention via the single, "Rosie", raising star of the North West folk and acoustic scene, Gary Fulton, has just released a full length album, "Wail And Holler". Gary runs to the principle of keep it simple, so the majority of the tracks are just him and his guitar and it really is a case of less is more. There is a live feel to his songs, a bit of edge as though the next time he play it, it'll be different, almost like a living breathing song. It gives Fulton's songs a resonance and consequently, "Wail And Holler" is an album that reaches out to the listener.

Single:Greener The Grass

Label:Yellowroom Music

Website: http://www.doghouseroses.net

This is the third mini album/ep/single of Doghouse Roses that I've been lucky enough to review and so far each has been a gem. The good news is that this is taken from a forthcoming album, "How've You Been(All This Time)?". "Greener The Grass" still has vocalist Iona MacDonald and guitarist Paul Tasker at it's core, but for the recording, they've added some additional musicians to provide subtle florishes. It's still good honest folk blues, but with embelishments. It reverberates with the passion of the main performers and if this is the taster roll on the mains.

Website: http://www.myspace.com/beckysyson

Becky Syson has an understanding of music. She captures a sense of the dramatic in the opening track, "Bad Moon", to ensure that she's got your attention and then in association with her younger brother, Lance, as supporting musician and producer, she follows up with 11 equally strong tracks to ensure she retains it. This is an album of great maturity and yet it's Syson's debut cut. The lyrics, music and harmonies combine to produce an album of real character. The title track's the most personal track on the album. It's not a country it's a message, decode it and believe.

The Mountain Firework Company

Website: http://www.myspace.com/themfco

Martin Carthy MBE reckons that English bands shouldn't sing in American accents. As most US folk traditions came from Europe in the first place, it seems a bit self defeating. It's good to have The Mountain Firework Company back. There's a sense of enjoyment that the band manage to catch in their music, that reminds you that music is about having fun. It's got an old timey feel that speaks of the community gathering around, sharing food drink and good times. The title track speaks of noble sacrifice on behalf of those less able to help themselves. Uplifting indeed.

Album:Mississippi Stardust

Website: http://www.myspace.com/karonkate1

From the other side of the Big Pond comes, "Mississippi Stardust" from one time native of that state, Karon Kate. Kate has had residencies in show towns like Vegas and on the cruise ships and there is a distinctive cabaret thread that influences the country based songs on the album. Another influence that runs through is gospel, not just as a style, but as inspiration. It's a well polished album, but argueably it's a little too glitzy for the UK market, plenty of hooks, but no real edge. I can't dispute the quality, but it's showtime, lighters in the air country and it's not floating my boat.

Album:Where The Light Gets In

Website: http://www.sennen.org.uk

More pop rock than standard Fatea fare, Norfolk based Sennen, have, none-the-less, delivered an album that's generally impressed in the office. They've also been touring in support of bands like the editors and championed by Radio One so it's not just us they've impressed. "Where The Light Gets In" is an album by a band that really has got an understanding of harmonies. The tracks drive themselves forward by establishing a solid rhythm and then layering vocals on them to deliver a sound that's lush, but retains a sense of purpose.

Label:Bastard Recordings

Website: http://www.myspace.com/mortonvalence

Actually a four piece band, rather than an individual and disappointingly none of them called Morton, Morton Valence have a very dream pop approach to their music. The much underused glockenspiel is utilised to give the music a fey quality without it all sounding a little too Disney. "Chandelier" takes on the qualities of it's namesake. It's role far more than just providing light. It's there to dazzle, sparkle to swing from. Chandeliers are fairytale pieces and the same is true of this single. "Go To Sleep" the b-side is a lullaby beautiful in it's simplicity. Expect an album later this year.