Beyond The 45
Singles, EPs, Downloads
The Fatea office also serves as a home for our weekly Along The Tracks show on Blues & Roots 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.
StEm - Hello
www.facebook.com/StEmDuo/
StEm are an acoustic folk duo, and 'Hello' is the follow up to an EP released in 2020 called 'Dream in Colour'. Following the same quiet guitar lead pattern as their earlier songs, 'Hello', which is no relation to any other song of that name - despite some superficial similarities, has a female vocal line over an acoustic guitar. The singer sounds a little like and English Dolores O'Riordan, with the same catch in her voice at the start of lines. The song is a series of messages to a friend who doesn't respond to the singer's attempts to reconnect. A reflective delicate song that has been getting airplay on Folk Radio, it is worth seeking out and is the lead track for an album to be called 'Grow'. TM
Nigel Parry - The Day The Bank Closed Its Door
www.nigelparrymusic.com/
Nigel Parry is based in New Zealand although British by birth. He has an album and several singles available on Bandcamp. This is an acoustic lament for the dying high street. "This Town Lost its heart and soul. The day all those doors closed". A tale that is clearly universal as many towns in Britain will recognize the same issue. Parry has an engaging style and using pipes to reflect the words brings a desolate tone to the tune. A song that highlights a growing problem that could be an effective theme song for documenting our dying towns. TM
Kaurna Cronin - Our Way
www.kaurnacronin.com/
An Australian singer song writer with a warm voice that resembles Al Stewart at times, Kaurna Cronin has an extensive back catalogue. His latest single is a full band production including some effective strings in the background. Rather tougher than some of the singer songwriter tunes currently on offer, the effect, particularly in the harmonies on the chorus reminds you of the better moments of The Little River Band. Our Way was apparently written as a dedication to two German fans who requested he put together a song for their space themed wedding. On the strength of this a name to watch and investigate. TM
SarAJ Dearlove - Brown Paper Bag
sarAJdearlovemusic.co.uk/home
A London based singer-songwriter, judging by this single SarAJ Dearlove's main influences are Tori Amos and Kate Bush. That's far from a bad thing but does mean that your songs and arrangements have to live up to it. In this case they certainly do. The slightly out of tune fairground sound of the piano fill, and the tympani that punctuates each section of the song are unusual touches that stand out from the singer songwriter crowd. Using a mundane object to highlight aspects of the human condition is hardly a new idea but this is a nicely effective song: "A brown paper bag , you can get one from the man who sells apples. A brown paper bag you can get on from the man on the street, with his bottle of you know what and he's drinking it neat". One of the best of this week's singles. TM
S.G. Moon - Bird On Fire (Acoustic)
www.facebook.com/S.Gmoonmusic
One of the problems with reviewing these singles can be the almost total lack of information supplied with them. The artist is listed as S.G. Moon but I can find no information about them or this this effective acoustic ballad anywhere. The John Martyn style guitar picking and voice buried in the background of the tune give it an eerie feel. It's a really good song and I wish I could tell you more about it and where to find it. TM
Sydney Fay - Until The End
www.sydneyfay.com/
A simple delicate song with a guitar out of the Kenny Burrell school and upright bass to back Fay's beguiling voice. 'Until the End' is three and half minutes of liquid, enchanting singing. Her website makes the usual references to Simone, Fitzgerald etc, but the comparison to Corinne Bailey are and NorAJ jones is closer to the mark. Contemporary with the flavours of the fifties. At some point she will strike lucky and be all over the radio and TV commercials. This may well be the song to do it, but it could equally be the version of the Carpenter's 'Close To You' that you can find on her Facebook page. TM
Jim Chorley - Turn A New Page Over
www.jimchorley.com
In many ways you always know what you are going to get from a Jim Chorley release. There's going to be a lot of rich, melodic warmth and intimacy, that will leave you with a smile on your face. That's not to say any of his music is phoned in. You can see the care and attention in every note and sung word. The new single fits perfectly into the Chorley oeuvre, feeling both familiar and new, and it'll give you that feeling of snugness that has become such a trademark. AJ
Eddi Reader - Light Is in The Horizon Yet
eddireader.co.uk/
Putting together albums can be tough, as you make hard decisions about which songs make the cut. Going through some of those that didn't make it onto her last two albums, Scottish singer songwriter Eddi Reader realised that there were a significant number that deserved to see the light of day. This Bandcamp exclusive single is the title track of the new collection, and it's Reader's interpretation of Irish poet Thomas Moore's Do Not Say That Life Is Waning. This single definitely deserves to be heard, so it bodes well indeed for the album. AJ
Boo Sutcliffe - You're The Same As Me
www.boosutcliffe.com/
The new single is the title track of Sutcliffe's new EP due for release in June, and is a duet featuring Claire Helm. It's a fantastically buoyant track, upbeat and a very fun listen. The vocal talents of Sutcliffe and Helm meld together very well, on a song that blurs the lines between Americana and Indie Pop. On this form the EP is going to be a must listen, especially the promised prog-rock anti-ballad that sees Helm that take lead. AJ
Frankie Archer - Over the Border
www.frankiearchermusic.com/
Over the Border is a two centuries old smallpipes tune discovered by Archer in a manuscript of traditional tunes. Captivated by the melody, and the lack of confirmed story behind the lyrics, it got her thinking of borders in all their forms. Rather than record something in traditional folk style, Archer has taken it and made it her own, with achingly beautifully minimalist vocals, and a gorgeous strings heavy accompaniment. AJ
Abigail Pryde - There Isn't A Book
www.abigailpryde.bandcamp.com
Released in time for Mother's Day, Abigail Pryde's new single is inspired with the close relationship she has with her mother. While the track appears to be more based in Nashville than rural Argyllshire, it's an unashamed heartfelt tribute, shown clearly in the video which features a collection of home video special moments. The track is due to feature on Pryde's upcoming debut album, set for release later this year. AJ
Amir Haider - Lovin' You
www.amirhaider.com/
There appears to be a whole host of different influences at play on this latest release from Amir Haider. There's a bit of rock, a bit of pop, some blues, all packaged up in a unique way. Haider takes these influences and pours a lot of himself and his own heritage into the mix, creating something that is mainstream and yet contains elements of world music. All in all an impressive release, with Haider continuing to build momentum towards (one presumes) a new album. AJ
Colin Clyne - Wishing Winter Away
www.colinclyne.com/
There's poetry to be found in this latest release from Scotland native Colin Clyne. While we're starting to see the odd sign of spring shining through now, the memory of winter remains strong, and it's the coldest season that is the subject of this track. It's the more positive aspects of winter that come through however, concentrating on the heat of the fire and woodland walks. While the imagery is nothing new, it's a comforting song and you can near see the spring flowers breaking through while listening. AJ
Black Sheep Lad - Another Love Song
www.blacksheeplad.com
Love songs are tricky beasts. It is the subject of more songs than pretty much every topic, so it's near impossible to come up with a fresh approach. When Phil Mellen was musing aloud on topics for songs, he was met with scorn from his wife on declaring he had done love. Love isn't something one completes. He was inspired to try another long song, and the difficulty of that is touched on. It's a good attempt at finding something new to say, but only partially successful. AJ
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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