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Releases
Phil Martin
Album:Before We Go To Paradise
Label:Brentford Records
Website:http://www.philmartinmusic.com
Is there something about being a Brentford follower that makes you a good observational songwriter or is it something about natural justice and supporting underdogs that attracts songwriters into following Brentford? Either was, "Before We Go To Paradise" is as fine a piece of songwriting as you'll find this side of Robb Johnson. "Open Mic" showing real understandingof that double edged sword. Phil Martin also knows his literary and historical references and weaves them neatly into the set, giving you credit that you'll pick up on them and not lose out if you don't.
Album:Before We Go To Paradise
Label:Brentford Records
Website:http://www.philmartinmusic.com
Is there something about being a Brentford follower that makes you a good observational songwriter or is it something about natural justice and supporting underdogs that attracts songwriters into following Brentford? Either was, "Before We Go To Paradise" is as fine a piece of songwriting as you'll find this side of Robb Johnson. "Open Mic" showing real understandingof that double edged sword. Phil Martin also knows his literary and historical references and weaves them neatly into the set, giving you credit that you'll pick up on them and not lose out if you don't.
David Hope
Album:Daybreak Someplace
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.davidhope.ie
I still can't believe how many variations there are of one person and their guitar, the different sounds, styles and timbre delivered by one voice and one instrument, which is essentially what David Hope is. Sure he's joined by other musicians and vocalists, but they are the icing and buttercream on an already delicious cake. "Daybreak Someplace" is a title that sort of sounds country and it is, but tempered with a Celtic folk growl. At seven songs long, it's shorter than I would have liked, but I'd also rather hear seven good and true songs than an album with padding.
Album:Daybreak Someplace
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.davidhope.ie
I still can't believe how many variations there are of one person and their guitar, the different sounds, styles and timbre delivered by one voice and one instrument, which is essentially what David Hope is. Sure he's joined by other musicians and vocalists, but they are the icing and buttercream on an already delicious cake. "Daybreak Someplace" is a title that sort of sounds country and it is, but tempered with a Celtic folk growl. At seven songs long, it's shorter than I would have liked, but I'd also rather hear seven good and true songs than an album with padding.
Bard
EP:Violets
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.wearebard.com
Whilst it seems a shame that writing murder ballads seems to have fallen out of favour(though not performing them) the seedier side of life still seems to fascinate songwriters. "Born In London Town" track three on the "Violet EP" reflects the contradictions the capital throws up and does so elequently. Bard have found the balance between living in a seedy area and finding pride in parts of it because its home. This is an EP that wears the tradition on it's sleeve, albeit a short sleeve. Contradictions is a word that could have been invented for this, evocative another.
EP:Violets
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.wearebard.com
Whilst it seems a shame that writing murder ballads seems to have fallen out of favour(though not performing them) the seedier side of life still seems to fascinate songwriters. "Born In London Town" track three on the "Violet EP" reflects the contradictions the capital throws up and does so elequently. Bard have found the balance between living in a seedy area and finding pride in parts of it because its home. This is an EP that wears the tradition on it's sleeve, albeit a short sleeve. Contradictions is a word that could have been invented for this, evocative another.
Galia Arad
Album:Ooh La baby
Label:Scarlet
Website:http://www.galiaarad.com
"Ooh La Baby" is a pure pop album, sultry, sexy and overflowing with fake innocence. Galia Arad has got the sort of voice that would pull JFK out of his box to nail her on the stage if she sang "Happy Birthday" to him. Guest appearances by Shane MacGowan provide a little bit of rough to spice the album up. A biggish band, give Arad's songs a sophisticated sound that's almost timeless and has an undercurrent of the Irish showband tradition. It's a delightfully paced album that can have you dancing by candlelight or simply chilling out and taking in.
Album:Ooh La baby
Label:Scarlet
Website:http://www.galiaarad.com
"Ooh La Baby" is a pure pop album, sultry, sexy and overflowing with fake innocence. Galia Arad has got the sort of voice that would pull JFK out of his box to nail her on the stage if she sang "Happy Birthday" to him. Guest appearances by Shane MacGowan provide a little bit of rough to spice the album up. A biggish band, give Arad's songs a sophisticated sound that's almost timeless and has an undercurrent of the Irish showband tradition. It's a delightfully paced album that can have you dancing by candlelight or simply chilling out and taking in.
Downtown Mystic
Album:Standing Still
Label:AGR
Website:http://www.shala.com
One thing "Standing Still" doesn't do is actually stand still, it moves through, blues, rock and pop with a real sense of finese and not a little energy. Downtown Mystic know their way around instruments, songwriting and arranging, the album is well crafted and put together, what it does lack is an individual style. I enjoyed the album, but ultimately came away feeling that I didn't know anything more about the performers than I went in, exluding the quality. Downtown Mystic have an entertaining riff laden album, that lacks only a signature.
Album:Standing Still
Label:AGR
Website:http://www.shala.com
One thing "Standing Still" doesn't do is actually stand still, it moves through, blues, rock and pop with a real sense of finese and not a little energy. Downtown Mystic know their way around instruments, songwriting and arranging, the album is well crafted and put together, what it does lack is an individual style. I enjoyed the album, but ultimately came away feeling that I didn't know anything more about the performers than I went in, exluding the quality. Downtown Mystic have an entertaining riff laden album, that lacks only a signature.
Red Sky July
Single:How To Get Your Love
Label:Proper
Website:http://www.redskyjuly.com
Drawn from their self-titled debut, "Red Sky July", "How To Get Your Love" may well be the key that opens up the band to wider access to the airwaves, moving them closer to the mainstream with a single song and it has to be said, it's probably the most radio friendly song on an album of excellent songs. I worry that the song may well draw comparisons with Amy MacDonald andit has to be said there are similarities, though Red Sky July definitely have a less affected vocal style, relying more on tight harmonies than accent. Hope the single delivers for them.
Single:How To Get Your Love
Label:Proper
Website:http://www.redskyjuly.com
Drawn from their self-titled debut, "Red Sky July", "How To Get Your Love" may well be the key that opens up the band to wider access to the airwaves, moving them closer to the mainstream with a single song and it has to be said, it's probably the most radio friendly song on an album of excellent songs. I worry that the song may well draw comparisons with Amy MacDonald andit has to be said there are similarities, though Red Sky July definitely have a less affected vocal style, relying more on tight harmonies than accent. Hope the single delivers for them.
Various Artists
Album:Fatea Showcase Sessions Winter 11:Inspirations
Label:Fatea
Website:http://www.fatea-showcase-sessions.co.uk
With the usual caveat that this is the latest in our free download series, "Inspirations" features seventeen tracks from right across the acoustic spectrum. We think all of the artists on the compilation deserve to be heard by increasingly larger audiences. they have taken the route of learning their trade and hard graft to get where they are, all of the featured acts are rich in talent and imagination, but don't take our word for it. Download yourselves a copy and see what you think, there's no charge. If you like what you hear, pass a copy on or suggest your friends get themselves a copy.
Album:Fatea Showcase Sessions Winter 11:Inspirations
Label:Fatea
Website:http://www.fatea-showcase-sessions.co.uk
With the usual caveat that this is the latest in our free download series, "Inspirations" features seventeen tracks from right across the acoustic spectrum. We think all of the artists on the compilation deserve to be heard by increasingly larger audiences. they have taken the route of learning their trade and hard graft to get where they are, all of the featured acts are rich in talent and imagination, but don't take our word for it. Download yourselves a copy and see what you think, there's no charge. If you like what you hear, pass a copy on or suggest your friends get themselves a copy.
The Woodbine & Ivy Band
Album:The Woodbine & Ivy Band
Label:Folk Police
Website:http://www.folkpolicerecordings.com
The concept behine "The Woodbine & Ivy Band" is quite simple. Nine piece instrumental The Woodbine & Ivy band provide the music a series of guest vocalists that reads like a list from the whose who of alternative folk singers provide the vocals, then there's the backing choir. Throw in the ten song selctions that have been so carefully crafted and you have an album that will serve as a reference point for years to come, it really is that strong, the performance outstanding.. I would guess that if you fail to be moved by this album it would be because you are already dead.
Album:The Woodbine & Ivy Band
Label:Folk Police
Website:http://www.folkpolicerecordings.com
The concept behine "The Woodbine & Ivy Band" is quite simple. Nine piece instrumental The Woodbine & Ivy band provide the music a series of guest vocalists that reads like a list from the whose who of alternative folk singers provide the vocals, then there's the backing choir. Throw in the ten song selctions that have been so carefully crafted and you have an album that will serve as a reference point for years to come, it really is that strong, the performance outstanding.. I would guess that if you fail to be moved by this album it would be because you are already dead.
Robb Johnson & The Irregulars
Album:Once Upon A Time
Label:Irregular
Website:http://www.robbjohnson.co.uk
When it comes to the fight for social justice, Robb Johnson isn't the musical equivilent of camping outside Saint Paul's, he's more of a march all the way from Jarrow type artist, which ultimately may cost him coverage, but he knows what's right. Complete with his band, The Irregulars, "Once Upon A Time" regales against the cult of celebrity, the title track reminding us when music changed the social scene, we got out and did stuff, found our music, rather than accept the crap being force fed to us from the tv. Robb's well written songs are in it for the long fight.
Album:Once Upon A Time
Label:Irregular
Website:http://www.robbjohnson.co.uk
When it comes to the fight for social justice, Robb Johnson isn't the musical equivilent of camping outside Saint Paul's, he's more of a march all the way from Jarrow type artist, which ultimately may cost him coverage, but he knows what's right. Complete with his band, The Irregulars, "Once Upon A Time" regales against the cult of celebrity, the title track reminding us when music changed the social scene, we got out and did stuff, found our music, rather than accept the crap being force fed to us from the tv. Robb's well written songs are in it for the long fight.
Owen Moore
Album:Rainy Day Songs
Label:PJO Recordings
Website:http://www.myspace.com/owen.moore
Following hearing his debut album, "Windswept Songs On A Broken Guitar" we offered Owen Moore a slot on "Abstracts" one of our download sessions. His slightly quirky take on country has got that certain something to it. "Rainy Day Songs" progresses those ideas, gives them a bit of a spin and more shine and moves it all forward. This is country with a crooning edge and a sparkle in the lyrics that help give the whole sound a late forties early fifties feel and it does it really well, homage rather than pastiche, a delightful album.
Album:Rainy Day Songs
Label:PJO Recordings
Website:http://www.myspace.com/owen.moore
Following hearing his debut album, "Windswept Songs On A Broken Guitar" we offered Owen Moore a slot on "Abstracts" one of our download sessions. His slightly quirky take on country has got that certain something to it. "Rainy Day Songs" progresses those ideas, gives them a bit of a spin and more shine and moves it all forward. This is country with a crooning edge and a sparkle in the lyrics that help give the whole sound a late forties early fifties feel and it does it really well, homage rather than pastiche, a delightful album.
Catherine Ringer
Album:Ring n' Roll
Label:Because
Website:http://www.catherineringer.com
Written, performed and largely produced by Catherine Ringer, "Ring n' Roll" has a left bank field, enhanced by Cathrine recording most of the album in her native French. Elements of arthouse infuse themselves into the songs, but not to the point where they become the be all and end all, the music always wins out, though it does sometimes run close. Conventional instrumentation sits side by side with sampled sound, including some Leonard Bernstien, the result, enchanting, exotic and chaotic. There's a lot happening here, but it all appears to be fun. like it.
Album:Ring n' Roll
Label:Because
Website:http://www.catherineringer.com
Written, performed and largely produced by Catherine Ringer, "Ring n' Roll" has a left bank field, enhanced by Cathrine recording most of the album in her native French. Elements of arthouse infuse themselves into the songs, but not to the point where they become the be all and end all, the music always wins out, though it does sometimes run close. Conventional instrumentation sits side by side with sampled sound, including some Leonard Bernstien, the result, enchanting, exotic and chaotic. There's a lot happening here, but it all appears to be fun. like it.
Sproatly Smith
Album:The Minstrel's Grave
Label:Reverb Worship
Website:http://www.myspace.com/sproatlysmith
I can't remember when I used the term exciting in relation to an album last, but it's certainly a term that applies to this psyche folk album from Hereford's Sproatly Smith. I don't know what they put in the cider in that county, but it certainly seems to get the creative juices flowing. "The Minstrel's Grave" is a wonderful and enthralling combination of fascinating melodies, harmonies and lyrics that seem as though they've been caught between old English and neo-Pagan. There is a touch of gothic fairytale over the whole, dark and entertaining.
Album:The Minstrel's Grave
Label:Reverb Worship
Website:http://www.myspace.com/sproatlysmith
I can't remember when I used the term exciting in relation to an album last, but it's certainly a term that applies to this psyche folk album from Hereford's Sproatly Smith. I don't know what they put in the cider in that county, but it certainly seems to get the creative juices flowing. "The Minstrel's Grave" is a wonderful and enthralling combination of fascinating melodies, harmonies and lyrics that seem as though they've been caught between old English and neo-Pagan. There is a touch of gothic fairytale over the whole, dark and entertaining.
The Score
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Fatea Showcase Sessions
The Fatea Showcase Sessions are a series of downloads featuring acts that we've really enjoyed and think that more people should get the chance to hear.
Click Here to get the latest session
