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.
Ruth Theodore - Full Metal Jacket
www.ruththeodore.com
A pounding boogie-woogie beat that Joos Holland would be proud of pushes this revenge song along. The opening lines "I have travelled land and sea with this bullet between my teeth. To give you back the hell you've given me". Much along the lines of some of Maria Muldaur's old timey songs, with a swing from the 1940s and a message from 2023. I hope she's not serious… TM
Big Joe Shelton - Inhale Blessings
www.facebook.com/bigjoeshelton
In contrast to much of the heavy guitar blues about currently is this light organ and harmonica song. New Orleans R&B is the main point of resemblance despite Shelton being a Mississippi native. Danceable blues is in short supply, and this is a particularly fine example. Roll the carpet back and press play. TM
Jim Cozens - Soul Mate
www.jimcozensmusic.co.uk
The First single from new album Life So Far. This is breezy upbeat love song. Having returned to playing music after many years the question has to be, why did he stop? This is as good an acoustic singer/songwriter tune as I've heard in years. The song is timeless in the way of all the best ones. You could drop it down in any year since 1962 and it would still be great. He's selling out gigs across the South East of England, including one with Albert Lee. If Eric Clapton had recorded this, it would be everywhere. A classic song. TM
Yasmin Hass - Cleo
www.instagram.com/yasminhasssA debut single, produced by The 1975's bassist Ross MacDonald and Ed Thomas who are responsible for Jorja Smith and Maisie Peters. "This song is about being utterly in love, whilst also wondering, how much freedom do I have left" Hass explains. "It touches on the thrill of the unknown and the sudden urge to break away from what feels comfortable and safe." There is a bit of resurgence of this sort of good pop songwriting at the moment and Hass is at the top of the pile with this up-tempo tune with just enough soul, and a lot of pop. TM
Cara Dillon - Clear The Path
www.caradillon.co.uk
Dillon's new single starts as a spoken word reflection on the influence of those who have gone before us, both acknowledging and respecting the significance they have within our lives today. A piano tune, with string interludes. She then sings the first verse as the song ends. Spine tingling stuff. Car Dillon is one of our finest folk singers and confirms that status with this stunning tune. Album coming soon… TM
Serious Child - Light a Candle
www.seriouschild.com
A 3 song EP with all funds donated to Save Ukraine, featuring 3 songs celebrating the work of "my incredible brother Dave Young, who is an emergency relief driver in Ukraine.". He works with 3 different artists on each of the songs. Fast rising band My Girl The River on opening tune Stunt Double, which is a heartfelt tribute, as well as a great song. Andy Ruddy features on Kindness and Dave Grubb on the title song. Buy it because it's a great cause and buy it because it's great music. TM
Uncle Lucius - Keep Singing Along
www.yourunclelucius.com
After 6 years away Kevin Galloway's band are back. They always were a great band and this taste of new album due in September is a stomping R&B, country work out that is as good as anything they've done before. If you've not come across them before and have even a passing interest in Americana music, then catch up quick. TM
Cash & Carter - Just Like Heaven
www.instagram.com/cashndcarter
Birmingham artist Shaun Smith London singer, writer, and producer Ross O'Reilly are back with another Cash and Carter, single. Far more Americana than their last, taking The Cure and turning their work into an eerie Country ballad is brave move that pays off wonderfully. The song remains recognisable, but the vibe is of Gothic Americana that would make Rober Smith's hair stand on end. Brilliant dark country. TM
Claudia Balla - Drive
claudiaballa.com
Swiss based singer Claudia Balla's single ahead of an album called Winter's Tale, s=due out any time, is sing partly in English and partly in Italian. A great opening line: "Haven't you heard. That I've left town? Haven't you noticed. I'm no longer around?" sets the tone of a song about "getting away, escaping, saving yourself from a place, a situation or a person". Harp (I think), Bass, and choral voices set a slightly sinister mood for the song. Her voice is at times a bit hesitant, deliberately so, but the ethereal setting for the singing and story makes this a good reason to investigate the album. TM
Dom Glynn - Every Spare Penny
www.domglynn.com
Delta Blues by way of the Londo pub scene this is a guitar and harmonica work out that comes in at not quite 2 and a half minutes. You could double that time and not get enough of the groove that Glynn gets going. The sort of blues that you could listen to all night. A great live performer to judge by his reviews, catch him if you can. TM
Red Velvet - Gone To France
www.redvelvetfolk.co.ukBand member Mike Udin wrote the song to reflect the deeply felt emotions of hope, longing, and despair he experienced as a result of his forced separation from his partner. The song contrasts a sense of fate and helplessness with the joyful, eternal optimism that love can bring. A simple tune puts the emphasis on Deirdre Murphy's vocal, and the words. A piano solo n the idle gives everyone time to breath before the anguished words come back. A folk-rock song that will resonate for anyone who recognises the situation. TM
Motel Sundown - Midnight Blue
www.motelsundown.co.uk
70s soft rock/Americana, The song has a bit of Always on My Mind at the start of the verse, which is a cunning quote. CSN and Fleetwood Mac are the obvious, and acknowledged, influences here. They played at Black Deer Festival this summer and with 3 songwriters to call on this is sophisticated Americana that should see the going places. Well produced as this sort of music needs to be. Looking forward to hearing more from them. TM
Blue Highway - North Side
www.bluehighwayband.com
Contemporary Bluegrass from a well-established band. A gentle tune is punctuated by the intricate solos you expect from this genre. Unlike some of the more modern style bands the song never gets lost in the picking. If you like Bluegrass there will be a lot for you here. If you don't know much about it, you could do far worse than give this a listen. TM
Annie Dressner – Black & White
www.anniedressner.comAnnie first came to my attention earlier this year when she teamed up with some other renowned Cambridgeshire based musicians touring in a ‘songwriters circle’. That is just what Annie is, a fine songwriter and her new single Black and White, taken from her forthcoming album shows that prowess. A native of New York City, Annie is well known on the UK festival and club circuit. Black and White shows that she has a strong vocal range while accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, as she weaves through a story of goodbyes, longing and regret. The song becomes more multilayered as it builds and as the melody takes over. All in all this is a great track and makes the new album that is around the corner, one to really look forward to. SG
Tomorrow Bird – Born to Fly
www.tomorrowbird.com
Born to Fly is the new single from folk – americana duo, Tomorrow Bird. You could be forgiven for
thinking there’s a link between the track title and the band name, in fact there might be, who
knows? but in actuality the band name comes from singer Jen Bird, who combines with
instrumentalist Simon Driscol to create this well respected and award winning duo who are making
waves on the live circuit. The record itself is a delight. Opening with Simon’s gentle acoustic guitar,
Jen is straight into the vocals telling the story of how sometimes we need reminding that the best
things in life don’t always cost money and are right under our noses. As the song grows and the
instrumentation becomes multi layered, the message is reinforced that happiness comes in many
shapes and forms. This is a song of hope and encouragement and is a splendid offering from
Tomorrow Bird – a band to be watched. SG
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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