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 shorthand for reference.:
Three Idle Women - All Hands Together ****
www.threeidlewomen.com
This is the second concept album built around the canal network that it's been my pleasure to review this year. Three Idle Women, Jane Rouse, Charlie Henry and Steph Pirrie, are a new name to me, but that appears to be my loss. They've been together since 2013 and "All Hands Together" comes out of their love of the navigable waterways, particularly the Thames, Oxford And Grand Union. The thing I really like is that this isn't a rose coloured spectacles view, this is very warts and all and highlights how close we came to losing so much of it. That they do it without sacrificing the musicality speaks volumes NK.
Linda Lamon - About Time Country ****
www.lindalamon.com
Appending the word Country to the title of her 2020 debut, rather than new material this is a gathering together of tracks from that and other albums that all sit under the same genre umbrella, her music also ranging across pop, blues and folksy fields including a number written to mark the inauguration of Brian May's native tree plantation in Dorset. All bar one of the tracks here feature remotely recorded backing from some of Nashville's top session players, among them Tommy Harden, Pat McGrath, Carl Milner and Tammy Rogers-King, the exception being the 40s jazzy swing of Don't Put It One Me with John and Charlotte Breese on guitar, mandolin, upright bass and banjo. The debut provides eight of the tracks, its acoustic sequel four and one from Seventy (though several appeared one more than one album). Of these, notable numbers would be People Like You, the gospel bluegrass Planted With Love, the more trad folk country of To My Wildwood Love and the honky tonk bouncing Down At The Quarry. The standout though is sole new track, Another Lonely Sunday, a classic brisk honky tonk waltzer with Dolly undertones. If you've not discovered her before, this is a fine introduction to the sort of music that, in her 70s, has made her a star on the UK country scene. MD
Box Elder - Between Endings & Beginnings ***
www.boxelderbnd.bandcamp.com/
The second EP from Wyoming based Box Elder explores the modern human condition where everything is online and on-demand. It's the kind of subject that goes well with their emo-punk-rock style, and the result is an EP that grips from start to finish. The three singles take centre stage here, with Minimums in particular shining out as a well-crafted track that knows when to drop back and when to drive forward. This is going to find favour particularly with those fans of the early noughties emo. AJ
Chiara Berardelli - Archaeology ****
www.chiaraberardelli.com
Originally from the Highlands of Scotland, Berardelli quit her job as a doctor to concentrate on her passion of making music. It's been six long years since her last album, Seamonster, mainly due to the pandemic, including having to work slowly due to Long Covid. Archaeology is worth the wait, fortunately, with a collection of tracks that mines the personal with a delightfully light touch. The arrangements are built in such a way as to really highlight Berardelli's words and vocal talents, and the result is always captivating. Hopefully it won't be as long to wait before the next album. AJ
Will McNicol With Innotet - Volume Two ****
www.willmcnicol.co.uk
As the name suggests this is the second collaboration between Will McNicol an music collective Innotet, which include Innes Watson and Patsy Reid amongst their number, takes the finest aspects from album one and continues to distill them into an even finer blend. That combination of finger picked guitar and string quartet is innovative even in the evolving world of chamber folk. There is a reason why McNicol has such a formidable reputation as a guitarist and "Volume Two" lays that bare. NK
Lush Fresh Handmade Sound - Highlands ***
lush.lnk.to/Highlands
The latest in the Lush Fresh Handmade Sound series, "Highlander" like it's predecessors is about providing a soundtrack for spa treatments from the Poole based cosmetics/environment group. This has become a go to for the many sections of the M3 subject to restrictions and jams at the moment, but one to be avoided on the way back from a late night gig. Away from the road, this is a wonderful album to take away the stresses of the day. Theres different artists and textures, instrumental and vocal to ensure that this is more than background. AI
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.
Pirate 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.