Samantha Whates and M G Boulter
Album: The Boatswain's Manual
Label: Harbour Songs
Tracks: 4
Website: http://www.samanthawhates.com
http://www.mgboulter.co.uk

Montrose-born and London-based Samantha Whates and Southend's M G (Matt) Boulter (also a member of the band The Lucky Strikes) are singer-songwriters who both have well-received solo albums to their names. Working together on the recording and touring of the second Blue Rose Code album ("The Ballads of Peckham Rye"), and inspired by a visit to Berwick-on-Tweed during that tour, M G and Samantha decided to embark on a musical collaboration, resulting in "The Boatswain's Manual EP", a delightful collection of songs with a sea-side theme.

Opening track, "Stones", sails along on waves of gently-plucked banjo from M G, with Samantha's flute bursting through like rays of sunshine on the shore. M G's rich vocal tones are balanced beautifully by Samantha's gentle harmonies. "Sailors" wraps the listener in a warm and comforting cocoon of sound. Chiming acoustic guitar sets the scene for Samatha's gracefully lilting, multi-tracked vocals, underpinned by deep, semi-whispered harmonies from M G.

The lyrical tour-de-force on the EP is undoubtedly "Westcliff", a wistful and reflective piece referencing past visits to Westcliff-on-Sea by Canadian music legend, Neil Young, and famed Parisian photographer, Robert Doisneau. The song also recalls past experiences of working as an undertaker and the keen awareness of mortality which this work instilled.

M G's crystal clear vocal delivery is reminiscent here of early James Taylor and is supported perfectly by delicate harmonies and flute from Samantha.

The album closes with "Buckets and Spades", an irresistible, country-tinged romp, featuring Samantha's breezy vocal and propelled along by handclaps and M G's ringing steel guitar. This playful and nostalgic song succeeds wonderfully in conjuring up the innocence of youth and images of family outings to the sea-side.

So there you have it....a beautifully balanced and varied little set of songs, which really do offer up more delights each time you listen. It's well worth taking this trip to the sea-side in the splendid company of M G Boulter and Samantha Whates.

David Ferguson