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.
Terra Lightfoot - Cross Border Lovers
www.terralightfoot.com
Bearing more than a passing resemblance to another Canadian act, Men I Trust, Terra Lightfoot describes this first single from their new album as a "hand-clapping head-turner". Pushed along by an insistent guitar beat and a vocal that seems to be reaching for something beyond its grasp this is good piece of modern pop. Lightfoot says "I played a show in Calgary where two separate couples came up to the merch table, one after another, and shared stories of being separated in different countries for months while pandemic restrictions were strict. Both couples used to listen to a specific song of mine to feel connected to each other." TM
John Reed - Corruption
www.johnreedmusic.com
Another single from retired businessman turned musician, Reed has produced a polemic about the many ways that corruption seeps int our society, from brown envelopes to seats in the House of Lords. The sparse backing of guitar and electronic noise highlight the words, which while fairly simple are more than effective. All in all, with this and previous singles his album due in October will be more than worth a listen TM
Alice Cotton - I Feel Fine
www.alicecottonmusic.com
Australian singer Cotton produces pleasantly infectious indie pop that worms its way into your ears. A basic guitar, bass, drums lineup and her very individual voice make this a cracking pop song that could hail from any time after 1976. She says "It's got a kind of frenetic feel as the song goes on because I was actually in a huge mess after the breakup, but I didn't want to engage anymore. The song would probably be better titled 'How to Repress Your Feelings for a Good Six Months or So". TM
Dave Sutherland - Dear John
www.thedavesutherland.co.ukOriginally written by Jackie McAuley and Johnny Gustafson and a 1982 Top 10 hit for Status Quo, Sutherlands version is driven by Bruce Bouton's pedal steel. A London based Americana singer produced an excellent album in 2022 with Last Drop of Empty, and this maintains the quality. If you are partial to the country end of Americana, then this is the song for you. TM
Wildermen - Sleepwalkers
www.facebook.com/DONUTRECORDSUK
Widlermen, alias Bobby Anderson, son of singer Carleen, sits in the mid ground between PiL and Queens of The Stone Age. Having seen him play this live (he's been around the Bristol music scene for a while) it seems to have taken on a tougher edge in the studio. If the above bands, or noise in general appeal to you seek this out. TM
Van Plating Ft Reckless Kelly - The Hard Way
www.vanplating.com
Van Plating is one of the names to conjure with for 2023. This song which tells of a near death experience in pregnancy is a typical narrative song. With support from Reckless Kelly whose gruff voice she uses to great effect here. "The Hard Way' asks-what are we here for? I think we're here to love. To experience presence. Communion. I don't care if that sounds hippy dippy to people. Arguing and fussing and fighting will never be what changes the world for the better." TM
The Heart Collectors - Sirius B
www.theheartcollectors.com
The Heart Collectors recognise the Bowie-esque nature of their music. The delicately picked guitar that is the main feature of this song could easily be Mick Ronson in reflective mode. The song itself has 1973 all over it. Thet say they "capture the essence of inspiration, honesty of love, and the nature of the cosmos in their music". On the basis of this lovely ballad, it's hard to argue with that. A band to investigate further. TM
Lewis Barfoot - Dublin City Bells
www.lewisbarfoot.com
Lewis Barfoots press says she "is an Irish/English singer songwriter who works with an uncomplicated loveliness of sound, blending ethereal, evocative vocals with original compositions and reinventions of traditional songs from across Ireland and the UK". Comparing herself to Kate Rusby and Julie Fowlis may seem optimistic, but this is an uplifting celebration of the city. It "draws inspiration from the resounding bells and bustling streets of Temple Bar as they reverberated with life after the lifting of lockdown in the summer of 2021" A lovely song from a new name to me, who you should give a listen to. TM
Liz Pearson - Birds In Spring
lizpearson.bandcamp.com
Birds In The Spring (Roud 356) is a traditional song of unknown origin, learnt from the singing of Sussex's George Pop Maynard and The Copper Family. This is absolutely gorgeous traditional unaccompanied singing. Pearson sings her own songs along with traditional tunes as well as singing with Chalk Horse Music. And you need to hear this whether you have any interest in folk music of this or not. TM
Ben Hemming - Lonesome Road
www.benhemming.co.uk
A blues rock song that has a touch of grunge blended in; Ben Hemmings song is a straightforward tune that has no pretensions to be anything other than what it is. His vocal starts from Cobain and the song could be Nirvana influenced by Crazy Horse. Played loud it is more than the sum of its parts. He seems to use a lot of "road" imagery in his songs, and this is one of his best from a check back through his 5-album catalogue. File under "learn more". TM
Amerik Ft Sasha Samara - The Real Thing
www.facebook.com/ameriksoundsSynth pop artist Adam Booth combines with Belfast singer Sasha Samara, whose Country style voice is oddly an ideal compliment to his electronica. The first of series of singles that if they all mix this timeless sound with superb singing will see the rise of a new star. TM
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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