Beyond The 45
Singles, EPs, Downloads
The Fatea office also serves as a home for our weekly Along The Tracks show on Folk Friday Radio and as a rule singles and Eps have generally gone in that direction whilst Fatea generally concentrates on albums and live reviews for our full length feature, but with more artists going back down the single route to keep themselves in the public eye, we thought it was time to reflect that in our offerings and as rules are made to be broken or at the very least adapted, welcome to the Singles Round Up.
The Blackheart Orchestra - Winter Majesty
theblackheartorchestra.com
Chrissy Mostyn and Rick Pilkington, aka The Blackheart Orchestra have released a strirring new winter song, which explores the contradiction between the lights and commercialism of Christmas and a call to observe the changing seasons; to slow down and appreciate the world of winter outside and all around us. Chrissy's ethereal vocals, alongside the clever iinstrumentation , evoke the cold of Winter, alongside the cosiness of fires; encapsulating a sense of time, place and emotions which are juxtaposed with them. Ultimately, it is a seasonal song, more than a Christmas song, in the vein of Thea Gilmore or Annie Lennox, rather than Kate Rusby's music at this time of year. However, it has the sound of many classics which we hear year on year at this time and I can imagine it being played on heavy rotation. HM
Lunatraktors - Yarrow
www.lunatraktors.space
Released in advance of the Winter Solstice, this is a remixed version of the traditional Scottish borders ballad the duo recorded for Karl Sinfield's Sing Yonder 2 compilation, along with a new lyric video. Telling of a murderous fight between a lady's brothers and her husband in a dispute as to who the Rose of Yarrow is, it's a song about loss and violence; about being betrayed by those closest to you, but also about resilience and defiance in the face of abusive control, its hugely atmospheric lurching arrangement brings together Clair Le Couteur's deep portentous vocals and goatskin military drum, with the low whistle moving between the wind and, sung by Carli Jefferson, the lady's lament and the bassoon echoing the tones of the brothers and father, a gong sounding the ring of sword blades. MD.
Hilary de Vries
hilarydevries.com
Twenty Twenty Five seems to have been a year for name checking Greek and Roman Goddesses, nymphs and associated legendary characters, with "Minerva", the latest to come into the Fatea office from Scottish harper/composer Hilary de Vries. Originally written as a gift, "Minerva", played on the wire-strung clarsach has a wonderful sense on contemplation, saying almost as much in the gaps between the notes as the notes themselves, as with the Goddess of Wisdom that the tune is named after, this is about taking some time with your thoughts, rather than making a statement. Hilary is also a teacher, check out her website for course details. NK
Eric Bibb - If You're Free
www.ericbibb.com
The second track from Eric Bibb's forthcoming album, "One Mississippi", due out 30th January, "If You're Free" is three minutes of unadulteratesd joy at the point where blues meets gospel. Whilst the album is named after the Janis Ian track, the other thirteen tracks on the album are penned by Bibb. Bibb's voice takes on a smokey ethereal quality for "If You're Free", reflecting on the good things that you can enjoy, regardless of situation, if you allow yourself to focus on the good things around you, joy and happiness can be found in strange places and in simple things. NK
Emily Barker - White Geraniums
emilybarker.bandcamp.com
In her intro to White Gerainiums on her Bandcamp page, Emily Barker includes "Letting go is hard and it’s best not rushed. It asks to be faced, breathed through, accepted, sat in, have its edges felt, grown from." Like many before her, Barker finds catharsis in her songwriting and in doing so provides a route to freedom for those less able to express themselves. This is a tough listen, your heart goes out, but in return you get to feel some of the strength that's required to move on from isolated places. There is a universal truth in White Geraniums, but you have to understand the starting point. AI
Velvet Jeanie - In My Sky
www.velvetjeanie.com/
Anyone that calls their piano accordion Edith, is alright in my book. "In My Sky" is the fourth single from her self-titled debut album, both that and subsequent singles managed to pass me by, something I've now corrected. Born and raised in Oz, partly influenced by the sounds of Eastern Europe and with a delivery that occasionally reminds me of the theatrical inclusions of Kate Bush, Velvet Jeanie is a cinematic singer-songwriter, visual influences permeate her writing giving the songs a sense of occasion. Give this a listen and if it's your cup of tea, check out the album, well worth a dabble. AI
Maz O'Connor - Once I Had A Sweetheart
www.mazoconnor.com
One of the things I like about December when it comes to music are the twin paths that make their presence felt in the office. The first is obviously the seasonal songs, the second, artists laying down the markers for albums in the spring. As with the days getting longer these markers bring hope and freshness for the Spring. Whilst "Once I Had A Sweetheart" is on the darker side of the folk tradition, the writing and performance are unquenchionable. This is a folk performer very much at the top of their game and "Love Is A Killing Thing" there to be look forward to with great anticipation. NK
Lizzie Hardingham - Winter Is Coming
lizzyhardingham.com
I guess it says something about cultral references that I can't hear the phrase "Winter Is Coming" without thinking about the white walkers in the vanguard, fortunately Lizzie Hardingham takes the phrase down a far more personable direction. This is the winter of wood burning hearths, making snow angels and being revived by mulled pies and brass bands. This is the comforting thoughts of warm hearts, family and friends and really enjoying a snow day. NK
Kathleen MacInnes - Santa Take Me Home
www.instagram.com/kathleenmacinnes2
A rare out in English, for Gaelic singer/performer Kathleen MacInnes, which draws on the light jazz, swing overtones of the American Songbook, Christmas edition. The song is actually based on a true story where Kathleen struggled to get back home to Scotland one Christmas due to a series of unfortunate transport events, a bus replacement service has rarely sounded so classy. NK
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.
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