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Releases
Various Artists
Album:Fatea Showcase Sessions Spring 12:Walking
Label:Fatea
Website:http://www.fatea-showcase-sessions.co.uk
With the usual caveat that this is one of ours so there'll be no review, this is to remind that it's out there and is available at no charge to you the listener. Featuring seventeen tracks for seventeen great acts from right across the acoustic spectrum, Fatea Showcase Session Spring 12:Walking has already set a record for being our most downloaded session in the first week. Support the artists involved by downloading a copy and then visiting their website and buying their music, it really is a great array of talent on display and please, please share the session with family and friends.
Album:Fatea Showcase Sessions Spring 12:Walking
Label:Fatea
Website:http://www.fatea-showcase-sessions.co.uk
With the usual caveat that this is one of ours so there'll be no review, this is to remind that it's out there and is available at no charge to you the listener. Featuring seventeen tracks for seventeen great acts from right across the acoustic spectrum, Fatea Showcase Session Spring 12:Walking has already set a record for being our most downloaded session in the first week. Support the artists involved by downloading a copy and then visiting their website and buying their music, it really is a great array of talent on display and please, please share the session with family and friends.
Various Artists
Album:Folk Awards 2012
Label:Proper
Website:http://www.propermusic.com
The Folk Awards are always a sign that the year is well on it's way. "Folk Awards 2012" from Proper is the compilation of the nominated acts and with the added bonus of featuring the top ten performers from the Young Folk Award. Over the three cds you really do get to hear one of the finest selection of music the folk genre has to offer, both traditional and contemporary. Across the tracks, you'll have your emotions turned every way and loose, from artists already established and those still at the start of their musical journey, the uniting factor, their love for the music.
Album:Folk Awards 2012
Label:Proper
Website:http://www.propermusic.com
The Folk Awards are always a sign that the year is well on it's way. "Folk Awards 2012" from Proper is the compilation of the nominated acts and with the added bonus of featuring the top ten performers from the Young Folk Award. Over the three cds you really do get to hear one of the finest selection of music the folk genre has to offer, both traditional and contemporary. Across the tracks, you'll have your emotions turned every way and loose, from artists already established and those still at the start of their musical journey, the uniting factor, their love for the music.
Gren Bartley
Album:Songs To Scythe Back The Overgrown
Label:Fellside
Website:http://www.grenbartley.com
If awe inspiring albums really are delivered through vivid dreams whilst slipping in and out of illness induced delirium, then I want what Gren Bartley had. "Songs To Scythe Back The Overgrown" is an album that will enhance his reputation, not only as a top guitar and banjo picker, but also as a wordsmith and fully fledged troubadour. He wields his serrated edge sound with surgical precision, cutting deep into your psyche and then seeing which nerves reach the heart strings, which ones operate the tear ducts and which ones just get the feet tapping. A game changing album.
Album:Songs To Scythe Back The Overgrown
Label:Fellside
Website:http://www.grenbartley.com
If awe inspiring albums really are delivered through vivid dreams whilst slipping in and out of illness induced delirium, then I want what Gren Bartley had. "Songs To Scythe Back The Overgrown" is an album that will enhance his reputation, not only as a top guitar and banjo picker, but also as a wordsmith and fully fledged troubadour. He wields his serrated edge sound with surgical precision, cutting deep into your psyche and then seeing which nerves reach the heart strings, which ones operate the tear ducts and which ones just get the feet tapping. A game changing album.
The House Devils
Album:Crossing The Ocean
Label:The Living Tradition
Website:www.thehousedevils.co.uk/
Like it's predecessor, "Adieu To Old Ireland", "Crossing The Ocean" feels like an album out journeys, but in this case it's more about the journey of the song, then the subjects or indeed the performers. The House Devils have tapped a rich vein of traditional songs that seem to have gone both ways across the Atlantic and mixed them in with new songs that enhance the canon and that will, no doubt, become tradition before their time. As you would expect, the musicianship and vocal on the album is excellent throughout, especially the highly sympathetic harmonica from Mat Walklate
Album:Crossing The Ocean
Label:The Living Tradition
Website:www.thehousedevils.co.uk/
Like it's predecessor, "Adieu To Old Ireland", "Crossing The Ocean" feels like an album out journeys, but in this case it's more about the journey of the song, then the subjects or indeed the performers. The House Devils have tapped a rich vein of traditional songs that seem to have gone both ways across the Atlantic and mixed them in with new songs that enhance the canon and that will, no doubt, become tradition before their time. As you would expect, the musicianship and vocal on the album is excellent throughout, especially the highly sympathetic harmonica from Mat Walklate
Wim Oudijk
Album:Tree
Label:Folkwit
Website:http://folkwit.com/artists/wim-oudijk
There can't be many albums that reference the Beach Boys and the baroque, but then there aren't many artists quite like Wim Oudijk. Over here he's probably best known as a producer/arranger, but in his native Netherlands he's best known as a former member of the likes of The Navel Orange Choir and as a solo performer. "Tree" is a 46 minute exploration of a tree from germination to termination and the uses it might find when dead. It's a very individual album, you won't find much that's like it. This really is music as art, but without the pretention.
Album:Tree
Label:Folkwit
Website:http://folkwit.com/artists/wim-oudijk
There can't be many albums that reference the Beach Boys and the baroque, but then there aren't many artists quite like Wim Oudijk. Over here he's probably best known as a producer/arranger, but in his native Netherlands he's best known as a former member of the likes of The Navel Orange Choir and as a solo performer. "Tree" is a 46 minute exploration of a tree from germination to termination and the uses it might find when dead. It's a very individual album, you won't find much that's like it. This really is music as art, but without the pretention.
The Galleons
Album:The Galleons
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.thegalleons.com
There are few bands to which you can apply the phrase British Folk band, but Brighton's The Galleons appear to be one of them as you can hear the influence of the four home nations in different parts of their sound. That said, the Welsh angle relates more to the indie influences that also permeate the sound rather than the fully fledged folkie bit. It gives their self titled debut album a subtle sense of fusion that provides a grand counter-balance to the floating easy on the ear vocal harmonies. "The Galleons" is a vibrant and reflective album, that feels a little different.
Album:The Galleons
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.thegalleons.com
There are few bands to which you can apply the phrase British Folk band, but Brighton's The Galleons appear to be one of them as you can hear the influence of the four home nations in different parts of their sound. That said, the Welsh angle relates more to the indie influences that also permeate the sound rather than the fully fledged folkie bit. It gives their self titled debut album a subtle sense of fusion that provides a grand counter-balance to the floating easy on the ear vocal harmonies. "The Galleons" is a vibrant and reflective album, that feels a little different.
The Proposition
Album:King Snake Devil Shake
Label:Cowboy Town
Website:http://www.thepropositionband.com
The Proposition are a band new to me, who hail from Norfolk, England and this is perhaps the most intriguingly titled CD of the year so far! The members of the band have clearly had quite some life experiences, resulting in a CD which leans towards a rootsy sound with a rough edge of Americana. Poduced by Nick Brine, who has also produced KT Tunstall, Seasick Steve and The Darkness, among others, the CD contains twelve tracks, quite eclectic in style and sound. Well worth a listen if you want to support British music, but like it to sound more authentically American.(HM)
Album:King Snake Devil Shake
Label:Cowboy Town
Website:http://www.thepropositionband.com
The Proposition are a band new to me, who hail from Norfolk, England and this is perhaps the most intriguingly titled CD of the year so far! The members of the band have clearly had quite some life experiences, resulting in a CD which leans towards a rootsy sound with a rough edge of Americana. Poduced by Nick Brine, who has also produced KT Tunstall, Seasick Steve and The Darkness, among others, the CD contains twelve tracks, quite eclectic in style and sound. Well worth a listen if you want to support British music, but like it to sound more authentically American.(HM)
Thomas White
Album:Yalla!
Label:Bleeding Heart
Website:http://www.myspace.com/thethomaswhite
"Yalla" is the third album Thomas White has released under his own name as well as many others as part of The Electric Soft Parade and Brakes and a session man for the likes of British Sea Power. Whether it's because it's his name on the tin or because he can get to be more himself as a solo artist, I've tended to prefer his solo outings and this is no exception. It's sharp in delivery with a feeling of west coast or should that be south coast cool, this is the cutting edge of folk pop and an album that will leave open wounds in it's wake alongside shreded hearts.
Album:Yalla!
Label:Bleeding Heart
Website:http://www.myspace.com/thethomaswhite
"Yalla" is the third album Thomas White has released under his own name as well as many others as part of The Electric Soft Parade and Brakes and a session man for the likes of British Sea Power. Whether it's because it's his name on the tin or because he can get to be more himself as a solo artist, I've tended to prefer his solo outings and this is no exception. It's sharp in delivery with a feeling of west coast or should that be south coast cool, this is the cutting edge of folk pop and an album that will leave open wounds in it's wake alongside shreded hearts.
Two
Album:Two
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.union-jill.co.uk
"Two" was released when Two were Two, but Two are now Union Jill and all future releases will be under that name, if that all makes sense? Regardless, what does make sense is tracking down this impressive piece of Anglicana. It's been out a while, but once heard it's one of those albums you immediately regret not getting to earlier. The girls have a sound that pulls in from both sides of the Atlantic and will draw immediate and favourable comparisons to both While/Matthews & Indigo Girls, but with a sound that is really neither. Definitely an album to enjoy and relish.
Album:Two
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.union-jill.co.uk
"Two" was released when Two were Two, but Two are now Union Jill and all future releases will be under that name, if that all makes sense? Regardless, what does make sense is tracking down this impressive piece of Anglicana. It's been out a while, but once heard it's one of those albums you immediately regret not getting to earlier. The girls have a sound that pulls in from both sides of the Atlantic and will draw immediate and favourable comparisons to both While/Matthews & Indigo Girls, but with a sound that is really neither. Definitely an album to enjoy and relish.
The Smiling Strangers
Album:Full Circle
Label:Confidential
Website:www.thesmilingstrangers.com/
Formed from the ashes of Solid Air and the Ordained, The Smiling Strangers have just released their fifth album, "Full Circle" sees them continuing to define what pub rock might have become if punk didn't get in the way. This is an album with attitude by the bucketload, the self assured attitude of a band that knows they hold all the cards and don't need to try bluffing their hand. Top musicianship, good lyrics, acoustic pop/rock outpourings pretty much a full house then. Definitely one for the loud and proud pile, not for getting a whole host of flourish.
Album:Full Circle
Label:Confidential
Website:www.thesmilingstrangers.com/
Formed from the ashes of Solid Air and the Ordained, The Smiling Strangers have just released their fifth album, "Full Circle" sees them continuing to define what pub rock might have become if punk didn't get in the way. This is an album with attitude by the bucketload, the self assured attitude of a band that knows they hold all the cards and don't need to try bluffing their hand. Top musicianship, good lyrics, acoustic pop/rock outpourings pretty much a full house then. Definitely one for the loud and proud pile, not for getting a whole host of flourish.
The Ballroom Band
Album:Open Minds
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.theballroomband.com
Really enjoyed the Ballroom's Band Christmas album a couple of year's back and now at last an album that I really can give an airing all year around. "Open Minds" is a blues rock album that comes at us from Sweden, though you wouldn't know that from listening. It's an album that sits with any of it's peers on either side of the Atlantic, avoiding many of the lyrical cliches, valuing the words as much as the guitars and gob irons. This is a band that have absorbed the sounds and the rhythms of blues/country rock and then define it with their thoughts and touches.
Album:Open Minds
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.theballroomband.com
Really enjoyed the Ballroom's Band Christmas album a couple of year's back and now at last an album that I really can give an airing all year around. "Open Minds" is a blues rock album that comes at us from Sweden, though you wouldn't know that from listening. It's an album that sits with any of it's peers on either side of the Atlantic, avoiding many of the lyrical cliches, valuing the words as much as the guitars and gob irons. This is a band that have absorbed the sounds and the rhythms of blues/country rock and then define it with their thoughts and touches.
Pearl Handled Revolver
Album:Colossus
Label:King Mojo
Website:http://pearlhandledrevolver.com
When "Colossus" kicked off with "Stone Thrower", my furst thought was, 'Here we go again blues rock by the numbers, well performed, but ultimately nothing to set it apart. By track two I was already reconsidering, by track three I was pretty much eating my words. This debut album from Bedford's Pearl Handled Revolver delivers plenty of variation in style and instrumentation, giving each song at least a degree of separation and distinction. Lee Vernon's gravel laden vocals can seem as raw as road rash, the backing as dirty as a tackle from Jamie Carragher.
Album:Colossus
Label:King Mojo
Website:http://pearlhandledrevolver.com
When "Colossus" kicked off with "Stone Thrower", my furst thought was, 'Here we go again blues rock by the numbers, well performed, but ultimately nothing to set it apart. By track two I was already reconsidering, by track three I was pretty much eating my words. This debut album from Bedford's Pearl Handled Revolver delivers plenty of variation in style and instrumentation, giving each song at least a degree of separation and distinction. Lee Vernon's gravel laden vocals can seem as raw as road rash, the backing as dirty as a tackle from Jamie Carragher.
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.
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