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.
Lane Lowder - Good Song
lanelowder.com
Country from the outlaw tradition of the likes of Merle Haggard. He says that "it's about wanting something with meaning, not the same cliché you hear on the radio." And it's certainly got the grit that makes the ideal country song. Spiky guitar, a clear vocal and a strong message. It is indeed a good song. A great effort at 16 years old. TM
Kirsten Adamson - In The Next Life
www.kirstenadamson.com
With a voice halfway between Kate Bush and Nanci Griffith the daughter of the late Skids and Big Country guitarist has found her own Americana sound. The words reference her father, and Jon Mackenzie does a passable impression of his guitar style. But this is very much her own work, and one of the best country rock singles this year. Her second album Dreamviewer, and judging by this single should be an Autumn highlight. TM
Holly Lerski - Weeds
www.facebook.com/hollylerski
Folk pop singer Holly Lerski offers a poignant, but beautiful look at the challenges of a long-distance relationship obstructed by US border control. You can also see lines like "we'll grow like weeds in between our countries. We'll grow like weeds spreading love and liberty," as a commentary on the refugee crises happening all around the world. Her EP Greek Trilogy will be out soon and from reading interviews with her tells other parts of the story. TM
Larry Fleet - Somewhere In The South
www.larryfleet.com
Unsurprisingly Larry Fleet comes from Tennessee. This is very much in the contemporary country rock mode but is turned into a stomping pleasure by a Lynyrd Skynyrd guitar solo and a better than average vocal. The gospel chorus which jumps into the latter part of the song adds some bite. Some of the tide of insipid country songs could learn a lot from this hard rocking tune. TM
Jon Wilks - Montagu Whaler
www.facebook.com/jonwilksmusic
A Montagu Whaler was the Royal Navy's runabout boat for 70 years. They were raced and used for sail training. Jon Wilk, now onto his fifth album has uncovered this lovely tribute to the craft written by Nigel "Bernie" Bruen from Shep Woolley's version. A jazzy backbeat which recalls Paul Simon's 50 ways to leave your lover. Rich Davies' bass is the key instrument on a song which as the third single should get people pressing the pre order button new album Needless Alley. TM
Jody Cooper - 40 Years
www.jodycoopermusic.com
A song inspired by the tragic events in Shiraz, Iran on 18th June 1983 where ten women were executed simply for being of the Bahá'í faith. A passionate ballad in a style close to Coldplay but with rather more substance. A song which stands on its own merits but also has a wider message to offer. Learn more about the story through #OurStoryIsOne TM
Ani Glass - Acwariwm
www.instagram.com/ani_glass
Ani Saunders, as her nom de music of Ani Glass sings in her native languages Welsh and Cornish. She says that it is "about reconnecting with the world around you and reminding yourself to keep looking for hope in every corner." Her voice is reminiscent of many 80s indie singers while still having a unique quality to it. She has a background with bands The Pipettes and Genie Queen, and working with producer Martin Rushent has clearly influenced the early 80s synth pop sound of this song. Yet another album to look forward to. TM
Old Crow Road - I Wish The Wars Were all Over
theoldcrowroad.com
Hull three piece, Old Crow Road, with a slight change of title, take on the folk staple, "I Wish That the Wars Were All Over (Roud 2036)" a song that's been performed since at least the 1770s and the reason it's still as resonant now as it was back then is that the wish has never been granted. Old Crow Road deliver an excellent version that is not only very traditional in flavour it's rich in vocal quality and emotion, well worth a check out. NK
Paul Doran - In Palestine
www.facebook.com/PaulDoranSongs
The Palestinian conflict seems to have found a deep rooted solidarity with the singer-songwriters of the Celtic nations, drawn by that recognition of injustice and historic attempts to have their culture surpressed, except it's not historic, it's here now, children acceptable casulties of trying to take out a camera or simply getting food. "In Palestine" is not an angry rant, it's a beacon, a recognition of spirit, a reminder some have to endure whilst the more powerful roll dice over fate. NK
Mike Reid & Joe Henry - Life And Time
www.facebook.com/JoeHenryLovesYouMadly
The single that announces the album of the same name, "Life And Time" brings together two Grammy Winning writers, Mike Reid and Joe Henry. Henry describes the sentiment of the album along the lines of, “Let’s push off the dock and into the fog and we’ll see what we find.”’ Judging by the single I think it's fair to say they found paydirt, songs that get under your skin and through to your heart. 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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