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.
Amy Goddard - Sing With Me
amygoddardmusic.co.uk
A traditional folk tune, in a style halfway between Judy Collins and Eva Cassidy. She's singing about the power of music to bring comfort to those with Alzheimer's and take them to happier places and times, something I've seen in action. "Just for now I can simply be. When you sing with me." A lovely simple song with proceeds to Alzheimer's Society. TM
Morning Crush - If Nigel Could
www.facebook.com/morningcrushmusic
A shout of rage against the current state of the UK. From flags to Musk via boats and the class divide. Musically in the Levellers mould of raucous folk. Lyrically he swings his club at some obvious targets with a bit of collateral damage on the way. A good sing along for those of a like-minded persuasion, and a red rag to anyone with different views. TM
Tanglejack - Needs Must When The Devil Drives
tanglejack.co.uk
A South Wales acoustic duo with one foot in Laurel Canyon and one in 60s Psych Folk. A jaunty tune and a Dylanesque vocal make this a delightfully engaging song which also carries a message. They are probably a great live act and describe themselves as bringing "the guitar complexities of Pentangle and the harmony vocals of Simon and Garfunkel into the 21st Century," which is just about right. TM
Eric Bibb - Muddy Waters
www.ericbibb.com
Bibb says this is his "tribute to Blues hero Muddy Waters. It's one of my favorite tracks from my forthcoming album One Mississippi." A funky acoustic groove, which swings like Waters own best moments. A travelogue through many blues related places, and a real antidote to the world of heavy power blues which seems to dominate the genre now. An album to watch for in January. TM
Carley's Wreck and Ruin - Devil's Got The Poison
www.wreckandruin.uk
They call their music "trashy roots: raw, rhythmic, and possessed by something older than rock 'n' roll itself," and" blues trash from the underworld." A distorted mix of mandolin guitar, drums and dark echo filled vocals, it's brilliant fun and despite a decade of touring only their second single. Touring in December their music and website suggest an unholy mix of Arhtur Brown, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, and early blues. All of which sounds like a great night out. TM
Charm Of Finches - Meteor
www.charmoffinchesband.com/
I have covid to thank for enabling me to discover Australian sister duo Charm Of Finches. Global Music Match teamed them with the marvellous Edgelarks, and together they sang "Miranda", a Charm of Finches song, which blew me away and since then I have loved everything of theirs that I have heard, including this single "Meteor", which I hope heralds the imminent release of their fifth album. Sisters Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes wrote, sang and, I believe played most of the instruments (except for the drums which was by Miguel Hutton), They even directed, edited, choreographed designed and made all of the costumes for the associated video which features a predator (fox?) that kills a dancing bird with a bow and arrow, that the sisters, dressed as forest elves, bring back to life with magic. The song is deeply associated with their respect for nature, inspired by visiting the Northern Queensland rainforest and by climbing an active volcano in New Zealand. If their harmonies don't bring you out in goosebumps, then you are in need of some of their elven magic to restore you. PB
Michell, Pfeiffer & Kulesh - Carol Of The Bells
www.michellpfeifferkulesh.com
Almost unbelievable that Michell, Pfeiffer & Kulesh have not sung this song before as a trio. They were made to sing it. Odette Michell, Karen Pfeiffer and Daria Kulesh have a fascination for songs that have traversed languages, almost to the point that you should be able to do a degree course simply by studying their records. It is a tragedy that no University has yet offered them honorary doctorates for the academic work behind their recordings. As well as their fascination for language, their ethos is also for anti-war songs, and as Schedryk was originally a Ukrainian springtime Carol that has evolved into both German and English Christmas Carols, the song is perfect for their glorious harmonies. Opening with the sound of church bells recorded in Ukraine on the day that Russia's invasion began, all other music on the single was played by Jason Emberton, Daria's long term record producer, despite the fact that between the three of them they have mastery over a wide range of multiple instruments. Daria sings the original Schedryk in Ukrainian, Karen sings the German version, and all three sing the English lyrics to one of my favourite Carols. Pure delight. PB
Tomorrow Bird - Follow The Light
https://tomorrowbird.com/
Award winning duo Tomorrow Bird comprise Simon Driscoll, ex lead singer of Burnt Tomorrow, with ex musical theatre actress Jen Bird. Both are multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriters, and together they are incredible as demonstrated by their new single "Follow The Light". I can't work out whether the song is intended to be just a tale of a tragedy, or whether there is a message of optimism there. It is a tale of a lighthouse keeper whose lover was drowned at sea, and who then continued each night to shine his light to beckon her back home. Of course she never returned, but I feel that the song is saying that no matter how desperate things are, never give up and continue to shine your light. I don't know whether the song is based on the life of Janet Mackenzie, or whether the similarity is purely coincidental, but Janet lived on the coast on the Hebridean Isle of Rona. When her family drowned, she decided to keep a light on in her window every night to warn other sailors of the dangerous waters. Like every one of their songs, this is very beautiful and will continue to play over and over again in your head once you have listened to it. PB
Eliza Marshall - Dust To Dust
www.elizamarshall.com
The first single from hugely talented Eliza Marshall's eagerly awaited forthcoming solo release, Eternal Birth, provides for a succulent and enticing amuse bouche. In his poem Transformations, Thomas Hardy explored the concept of reincarnation, and reinforced the theme of continuity and transformation through his use of imagery which linked the living and the dead. This theme is echoed here, as Eliza's words, inspired whilst flying over The Sahara, looking out at dust clouds and pondering on the lives of those living in the small, dusty villages below, celebrate the recognition that our bodies live on through nature. Musically, this single exemplifies perfectly the blending of classical, folk and world traditions that permeates the album from which it is taken, and fully evokes Eliza's obvious love of wilderness. DP
Laura Dannan - The Sock Song
lauradannan.com
As long as there's been singer-songwriters, there's been comedy songs ready to cause a wry smile to break out. Unless you're the owner of a springer spaniel, the ongoing disappearance of socks is one of life's great mysteries, perhaps only exceeded by the sudden reappearnce once you've bought the replacements. Laura Dannan hasn't really solved the mystery, but she makes asking the question fun. NK
iiis - Arms/Chairs
iiisbandoxford.bandcamp.com
Coming from a similar stable to the likes of Galaxie 500 and My Bloody Valentine, iis are an Oxford based trio, that have just released a enchanting new double a-side single "Arms/Chairs onto an unsuspecting worls and when I say released, that's a bonified seven inch single that has great music coming out of every single groove. This really does have that classic indie vibe. 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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