The Driving Test
A Musical Car Ride
Whilst we would love to give every album/EP/single a full indepth review,we are only human and don't have a time turner so we aren't able to give every release the time and attention it deserves.
In the past that would have ment that we either reviewed a release or we didn't, but now we have a third option, a middle way.
The solution here has been a simple one. Rather than review individual artists' CD's at length, we play them one after the other on a long car journey. The simple listening test is: "are they bearable in the car - interesting, enjoyable, not distracting". This may not be how the artists want us to hear their work, but it's how a lot gets listened to for the first time and at least raises awarenes! The rating system is simple and provides a shorthan for reference.:
Stacey McNeill & Jonathan Smith - Leaving Autumn Town ****
https://www.smjsmusic.com/
"Leaving Autumn Town" is the debut release of newly formed North Wales duo Stacey Martin & Jonathan Smith. Recorded, like so much this year, under lockdown, this mini album.maxi Ep lays down a marker for any future release. There's a lot of call and response songs and phases that balance the tight harmonies and equally tight but simple accompaniment. Both artists have brought previous experience to the combo and it fuses well.
The Plastic Pals - It Could Be So Easy, Free And Fine ***
http://www.theplasticpals.se
If you're looking for a speeding ticket, the opening song of Sweden's The Plastic Pals new EP, "It Could Be So Easy, Free And Fine", could be just the track to get you there, as it releases a whole load of drive and energy. Take a break as you approach the speed camera and then hit the gas again for "Hangin' In The Louvre" which also delivers the line that gives the EP it's name. It's not the deepest or most meaningful release you'll ever here, but it's great fun.
Jenny Sturgeon - The Living Mountain ****
http://www.jennysturgeonmusic.com
Long overdue follow up to the "From The Shein", "The Living Mountain" brings a welcome return to multi-instrumentalist and singer Jenny Sturgeon. Like it's processor this is an album that has a real sense of place, close your eyes and you can see the villages, the mountains and the glens. Sometimes I swear you can feel the mist and find yourself reaching out to swat a midge. The land it's self or at least it's sounds run through the album with a subtlety captured elsewhere in each and every song, this is definitely for a journey.
The Lost Notes - Lowlifes And High Times ***
http://www.thelostnotes.co.uk
Sophomore album, "Lowlifes And High Times", sees The Lost Notes continuing with delightful three part harmonies, delivered with a delightful jazz folk sensibility. The five piece deliver with a certain energy and panache that help lift the sound and give it a bit of glitter. The vocals are sharp, the instruments well play and it's difficult to fault any individual song, but there were definitely times I found my self looking for an injection of pace, or a least a different texture. There is good material here, enjoyed the album, it just needs a shade or two more.
Greengrass - From The Forge ***
https://greengrassfolk.bandcamp.com/releases
Beautifully packaged and delivered, "From The Forge", is a classic folk album from Rugby three piece Greengrass. Featuring a combination of traditional songs, including the band's take on the oft recorded, "The Blacksmith", covers and songs penned from within the band, this generous fourteen tracker, regularly hits the mark. If I was being blunt, its the traditional songs that feel the weakest, not that there's anything inherently wrong, more that there's too many versions to compare them against. The self-penned songs show real character, particularly "Judith's Song", which is a tribute song to a departed friend and I love the treatment given Karine Polwarts, "Follow The Heron".
Kevan Taplin - The Voyages Of A Renaissance Man… ***
http://www.kevantaplin.com
Kevan Taplin, like more and more artists these days, came late to recording his debut album, but it was definitely the right choice to do so. Taplin wrote thirteen of the fourteen tracks on the album and co-wrote the last one and shows that he has a way with words as he drops them into an album that's rich in blues and americana flavours. "The Voyages Of A Renaissance Man…" opens with vocal only "Black Rose" with a touch of the Dr John voodoo soul feel, it's a great way of drawing you into the album. The sleeve on the other hand does little for the release at all and I something Kevan should pay attention to before the next one.
The Ciderhouse Rebellion With Jessie Summerhayes - Runian *****
http://theciderhouserebellion.com
Rising West Country duo, The Ciderhouse Rebellion, Adam Summerhays and Murray Grainger add the former's daughter, Jessie to the line up for "Runian". The Ciderhouse Rebellion bring the music, Jessie the poetry, as well an accompanying poetry book. The album's title, "Runian" is the key to the delights contained. Saxon for Whisper it hints at the saga like elements contained in a song cycle that is not only more accessible than Beowulf but far easier on the ear. This is an album of narrative and one where the two elements would work if separated, but it's as a whole they become truly magical.
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.
Corsair is the current session and features 16 fantastic artists check out the website to find out more about them and download your copy
www.fatea-showcase-sessions.co.uk for all the artist information.
Folk Friday Radio
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