Reviews
Artist:Sean Taylor + Fearne
Venue:Bourne Beat
Town:Bournemouth
Date:30/06/09
Website:www.myspace.com/seantaylorsongs
www.myspace.com/fearne
As per usual a caveat at the start of this review, as the name implies, this was one of our gigs. The artists taking part have already been on or will be appearing on The Fatea Showcase Sessions Download.
There can't be many gig reviews that will attract the attention of the US and UK intelligence services, but as this review will mention the death of President Barack Obama for financial gain and the stalking of Lily Allen, which should be enough trigger words to raise the profile of this page. If you are from any intelligence organisation, welcome and do not be alarmed.
This was the fourth in the Fatea Showcase Session LIVE series, staged in the basement of the Bourne Beat Hotel, and the last before the summer break. Representing the locals was Bournemouth based acoustic rockers Fearne, playing as a duo, and Kilburn's Sean Taylor, playing his first post Glastonbury gig, on the visiting leg.
Fearne, named after an obsession with Fearne Cotton, or Fearne Britton, no one is quite sure which including the band, kicked off the proceedings. The band have always had a sense of fun, a sense of mischief about them, a quirky almost They Might Be Giants edge, but they've also started to balance that up with a slightly more serious, issue driven song list and they seem to be drawing a lot of strength from that.
It gives the set a more rounded feel as the songs move away from about finding love and girls towards songs that include songs about the cult of celebratory and how your opinion might matter more because you're a celeb, which was where Lily Allen comes in. They do a song about here and apparently a journo thought it might be amusing for the band to get a flat bed trailer and role up to her house and sing it to here.
It's also where the Obama comment came in, a promoter suggested to them that they write a song about the president so they've got it ready to go when he eventually gets shot. An idea which obviously disgusts the band, but comes across quite humorously in the between songs banter, something the band do very well. Alex, the lead singer being quite the raconteur.
Fearne are a band that has a great sense of what they're about. They write songs that are genuinely entertaining and put together sets that show a band working towards being something genuinely different. If they play near you, you could do a lot worse than have a good night out with this band.
Sean Taylor is an artist that we've championed since we were fortunate enough to get the opportunity to review his debut album, "Corrugations". The follow up, "Angels" won our album of the year award and picked up five stars from Maverick as did his most recent album, "Calcutta Grove", an album that's attracting a lot of attention as well as getting him a prestigious slot on the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury."
Essentially Sean is a troubadour blues player with a modern twist. His music is a blend of dominant blue offset with a folk undertone. His songs allow both the guitar and his voice to do the talking. His playing style has a distinctive quality about it. Yes you can hear the influence of his musical heroes, but it's not homage, Sean has found his own niche.
Without a doubt most of his playing heroes come from the other side of the pond, it's something that's reflected in the way he writes his songs. The way he populates his songs is very different, that brings in a far more English idealism. He's not afraid to put politics at the forefront of some of his songs, it's part of what puts the passion into his music.
He's not afraid to put emotional themes in either. It's what's inside us that defines us and if something inspires or provokes a reaction use it.Sean Taylor plays with a real passion and fire, there wasn't anyone in the room left untouched by his performance, which is the way it should be.
Sean Taylor and Fearne rounded of the first series of The Fatea Showcase Sessions LIVE! in a spectacular manner. I'd also like to thank the previous bands and artists, Aimee Newsome-Stone, Belinda O'Hooley and Heidi Tidow, Lou Brown, Robb Johnson, Kim Guy and Red Shoes for their contributions as well as Andy Stone for his excellent sound and Steve and Alice for their help.