The Celia Bryce Band
Album: May Day 1916 EP
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 4
Website: http://www.celiabryce.co.uk

I haven't heard of Jarrow since the Alan Price song of the 1970's and the 45rpm I used to play – loved that song! This is the area Celia Bryce is from and her talents don't just lie in being a singer/songwriter as she is also an author of children's books.

Celia's latest song is 'May Day 1916' and it is in the form of a letter sent by a woman to her husband who is fighting on the Western Front in what would become known as The Great War. It's prior to the Battle of The Somme where so many soldiers tragically lost their lives. Celia recalls reading part of a book when she was younger and says this was the inspiration behind writing the song and releasing it in aid of the Royal British Legion and ahead of Remembrance Day.

There are a number of members to The Celia Bryce Band including Colin Bradshaw (bass and guitar), Eddie Harris (drums), Lee Cramman (keyboard) and Mike Swindale (fiddle). Several members have been together for many years and were part of The Bill Stickers Band and have also been a part of previous albums Links and No Deals, No Promises.

What a delightful and gentle voice Celia has as she sings in the past tense stating “this is the letter she wrote, things that he wanted to know”. The things she mentions is nothing about how she really feels like her worries and fears but instead mentions the happier things about their kids, garden and life at home including the May Day celebrations.

There are another 3 tracks on the EP all with different elements. 'Corporal Morris' is a pleasant instrumental that starts off with a gentle guitar and a steady melody throughout. It builds nicely to include the type of drum sounds you would hear in a military band which is in keeping with the previous charity track. This song was also included on the last album Links (also reviewed separately for Fatea magazine).

'Shine Like The Road' is another gentle and contemplative tune that also includes military sounds (think Ground Force and the Black Dyke Band theme music) and on this occasion those of the brass trumpet sprinkled throughout. The most notable aspect is Celia's voice which is so effortless in its delivery with a tone that is always very easy on the ear.

I especially like the final song due to how clever it is to pick a familiar subject that we can easily resonate with and regularly encounter yet an unusual choice for a song, that being the 'Small Print' on correspondence we all seem to ignore. “You can pray, you can plead and you won't change a thing, it's down at the bottom with the last drop of ink”. Not only is there an interesting subject and lyrics there is a nice gentle beat with good use of harmonica and of course Celia's vocals are as faultless as ever.

This is a very nice EP and continues the great collection of songs that Celia Bryce has been steadily building over her previous couple of album releases. It is a fantastic charity EP that should definitely raise a well deserved amount for charity but also is a great addition to anyone's collection.

Craig Parry