Reviews
Artist:Ben Morgan-Brown Album: Chalk & Clay
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.benmorganbrown.co.uk
Ben Morgan-Brown has long been one of those artists that feels like a bit of a secret, and who has been flying just under the radar. Undoubtedly since leaving his job managing the world famous Mansons Guitar Shop in 2017, he's gained a lot of momentum. Cold Rooms and Nameless Gold have deservedly won him more of a following, and we've already recently had the wonderful instrumental album Moments to enjoy. So a new full length release is definitely something to get genuinely excited about.
Morgan-Brown is always at his best when the subject matter is clearly personal to him, and that's no different here. The title track which kicks off the album is easily up there with his best songs, and may just claim top spot. It's almost a love song for his childhood home between Luton and Dunstable, and you can feel the nostalgic pull of those halcyon days throughout. There is a beautiful warmth that permeates every line, resulting in a song so captivating you can't help but revisit it again and again.
There's much evidence of an evolution of style at play on the album. Morgan-Brown has worked with From The Whitehouse and Reg Meuross fairly recently, and there are a couple of tracks here that show a Meuross influence, while still fully retaining the Morgan-Brown DNA. Never Wanted A Fancy Car and Jenny have a delightful lyrical playfulness to them with that trademark finger picking that makes the intricate seem deceptively simple.
Summer of '99 is another track with a perfect rosy glow about his annual camping trips up in North Devon meeting the same group of friends, trying to get served alcohol and chasing girls. It's one of those songs that can't help but make you smile; an ode to the less complicated days of youth.
If Ben Morgan-Brown has been flying below the radar, Chalk & Clay is the album that should send him soaring upwards. As he sings on the closing track, "I will walk on higher roads, when there's time". With an album as strong as this, it is surely time to start heading to those higher roads. Chalk & Clay is an enchanting treat of an album, and surely the work of an artist about to take big step up in terms of recognition.
Adam Jenkins
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Chalk & Clay
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.
Pirate 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.