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.
Seth Lakeman & Fishermen's Friends - The Brave Volunteer
www.sethlakeman.co.uk
To celebrate the bicentenary of the RNLI, Lakeman and the premier purveyors of shanty's have combined their talents in a rousing tribute. The band tell how the song came about through lifeboat crewman Al Kassim's story saying: "We have loved the opportunity to write with Seth about Al, who has the most amazing story of being rescued on the water then paying that forward through becoming a volunteer himself on the London lifeboats." An inspiring story, a great song and a worthy tribute. TM
Martyn Joseph - Chapel Porth Beach
www.martynjoseph.net
A captivating tune, written like the Seth Lakeman song above for Radio 2's 21st Century Folk Project celebrating 200 years of the RNLI. This one is the story of Vicky Murphy from Cornwall was eight months pregnant when she was rescued from a flooding cave with her husband Marc. Jospeh says, "Vicky and Marc's story was both heartbreaking and uplifting- believing they weren't going to make it, her being pregnant, saying their goodbyes and, thankfully, their ultimate rescue thanks to an unknown surfer and the amazing skill of the RNLI." The lyrics are astonishing. You can't listen to the verse" Her face in his hands they say their goodbyes. There are no words now just the love across their eyes. And that stone cold fear at the end of your world. But for a second, she wonders 'was it a boy or a girl?" without being deeply moved. Another fine tribute to an amazing organisation from one of the true greats of British folk music. TM
Dave Christen - You And I
www.davechristen.com.
Texas songwriter sounds almost like a Country Marc Bolan in the way he draws out his vowels. The way he sings shifts a fairly routine song into something that captures your attention and forces you to listen hard. The elements of a good Americana based song are all there. A driving bass and drum line, bright sparkly guitars and a strong chorus. TM
The 19th Street Band - Cover Me
19thstreetband.com
A cracking version of the Springsteen song which the 19th Street Band make all their own with a barrelling folk arrangement. Insistent drums and bass with a heavily echo laden violin taking the solo segment. A reggae time section and strident vocal make this a very different, but full-on version of Bruce's tune TM
The Heartland Roots Band - Mercury High
www.theheartlandrootsband.co.uk
Another fine piece of Americana from a Leicester based 6-piece band. This one from the Southern Rock/Blues end of the genre. Samantha Hobson's strong lead voice powers above the Hammond organ and guitar. Their press tells us: "The band specialise in big harmonies, anthemic sing-alongs, blistering guitars, crackling keyboards, and rock-tight rhythms." Just that, and all of it done to a standard that their American influences often fall short of. I really want to hear them play this live now. TM
Steve Warner - Before Your Time
www.stevewarnerfolk.com
Written for a songwriting competition that it failed to make the cut for (how?). This means that Warner has the chance to share it with a wider world. He says "I wrote about an elderly couple who were experiencing Dementia I intended the song to be window into this tragic scene. I was lucky enough to have the brilliant Roly Taylor play this beautiful piano score and Hannah Elizabeth's sensitive violin solo". Anyone who has encountered Dementia in their family or friends will recognise this story. Delicate and respectful of the subject. TM
Briggs & Stark - Starting Something EP
www.facebook.com/briggsstarkduo
A 4 song EP that starts with Go Ahead which has a CSN feel to the uplifting guitar opening with flute counterpointing the vocal lines. An upbeat song that draws you in to listen tot the rest. Shed A Light is taken at a slower tempo, and a more Country feel to the song. The flute is dominant instrumental voice again. The song takes a diversion halfway through into a gentler lilting that adds an epic quality to it.
Ballad Through This features a double tracked flute and a more reflective lyric sung by Claudia Stark. Lastly, we have Three Kisses, and we are back to the breezy folk country of the first song. If you want "a collection of countrified indie-folk songs that tell stories of personal struggle, companionship and the ultimate "meet-cute"." then seek out Briggs and Stark, they could be your new favourite duo. TM
James O'Hurley - Maria
jamesohurley.com
A South London based Singer - Songwriter, combining folk, blues rock, and country roots music this is O'Hurley's third single and is also to be found on his debut album. The anthemic chorus makes this song which "started life as an idea based around a girl, I knew who moved to Camden and just lived for the weekend." This is on the rock end of his sound and should prompt listeners to seek out his other work. TM
Katy Hurt - Revved Up Rench remix
www.katyhurt.com
A 2018 single that has been remixed by Gangstagrass and features a new rap vocal from R-Son The Voice of Reason. This is more a ground up rebuild with the rock elements discarded in favour of up to the minute drum machine and bass lines. Hurt's vocal remains as strong as the original, but this is aimed at a new audience altogether. TM
Laura Dannan - Sunbeam
lauradannan.com.
For some reason this reminds me of Lena's Eurovision song Satellite from a few years ago. A quirky lyric shared with Alex Laurence; this is a warm engaging folk song which you will find stuck in your head for a long while. A brisk, upbeat tune that doesn't out stay it's welcome at only 2 and a half minutes long. A bright, and charming song. TM
Vamberator - Sleep The Giant Of Sleeps
www.facebook.com/Vamberator
Former members of Shelleyan Orphan and The Cure have produced something that sounds like the offspring of Muse and ELO. The epic quality of the former and swooping strings of the latter. A powerful psychedelic/ post-punk sound throws itself out of the speakers at you. We could be in the presence of the next big thing. This is their debut single, and it is a thing of genuine wonder. TM
Gabriel Moreno - Vertigo
www.gabrielmoreno.co.uk
A new single from London based Gibraltarian poet and singer-songwriter. His voice is one that you need to hear a bit to get sued to. His past albums have produced some beautiful work, and this new single is typical of the best he has to offer. His music is worth persevering with to uncover the gems of which this is one. TM
Simon Morley - Willow
www.facebook.com/p/Si-Morley-Music-100082799602586
A Hampshire based Singer/songwriter whose work picks from rock, folk-pop, indie, and acoustic music. The standout element here is the marimba that adds a unique skittering sound, which does bring its subject matter to mind. This is a "song about our little rescue dog, and how elated she always seems to be every time we give her something that resembles care or affection." Every dog should have a song written about them and Willow should be very happy with hers. TM
Sean Taylor - Gaia
www.seantaylorsongs.com
A love song to the Earth. Taylor has been a touring musician for a good while and has turned his hand to a song that puts a social conscience to an engaging folk tune with waves and birdsong to highlight his feelings about the planet. TM
Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage – The Youngest Sailor
hannahbenmusic.com
Its several years now since Hannah and Ben began to collaborate musically, bringing together their
individual styles and forming one of the most accomplished and powerful duos on the folk circuit,
captivating audiences at festivals and in their own concerts. In that time, they have released three
studio albums and are about to release a fourth in September entitled ‘In The Dark We Grow’. Ahead
of it they have released a single from it, ‘The Youngest Sailor’ and if this is anything to go by, the
album is going to be fantastic. The first part of the track grows steadily, with a beautiful and melodic
instrumental piece before the exquisite vocal harmony of Hannah and Ben bring in the narrative. As
it builds, it becomes anthemic as the line ‘Sail On’ is repeated to a close. I can imagine the audience,
in their live shows, being encouraged to sing that line and can see this quickly becoming a favourite
in their forthcoming album tour. A really excellent piece of music and one to make you long for the
album with anticipation. 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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