Fabian Holland
Album: A Day Like Tomorrow
Label: Rooksmere
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.fabianholland.com/

I first encountered Fabian Holland and his music when I saw him supporting Larkin Poe at one of David Cartlidge's excellent concerts in Wigan Parish Church back in August 2013. I was highly impressed by Fabian, not only for his superb guitar playing but also his incisive song writing. I was so impressed that I asked to review his self-titled debut album, which I duly did, coming to the conclusion that Fabian is "a major new talent". This was reflected in the fact that Fabian's album was nominated as Debut Album of The Year in the 2013 Fatea Awards. The award was won by the equally brilliant Salt House for their "Lay Your Dark Low" but, nevertheless, Fabian Holland had received due recognition for his stunning album.

Of course, the big question is: does his sophomore album "A Day Like Tomorrow" live up to the promise of his debut album ?

Well, I can assure you that it does. Fabian's song writing is as sharp as ever and his guitar playing is simply superb. The album contains eight original songs by Fabian, one lovely self-composed instrumental and two choice Traditional songs, "House Carpenter" and "Nobody's Fault But Mine".

On his second album Fabian is subtly and sympathetically accompanied by jazz drummer Fred Claridge [ who has also worked with Fabian's label-mate Blair Dunlop, Tom Bright and many more] and keyboard player Jacob Stoney [of the bands Cousin Avi and Citadel]. The album was produced by Rooksmere Records boss Mark Hutchinson at his studio in Overstone in rural Northamptonshire.Mark also adds bass, electric guitar and backing vocals. The overall sound is clean and uncluttered with Fabian's intricate guitar to the fore.

It clear from his songs that Fabian is an observer of his fellow human beings, their foibles, eccentricities and, occasionally, their suffering.

I can fully empathise with Fabian's views on people who spent all their time recording events [and themselves] on their mobile phones, so much so that they don't actually see what is taking place ["Four Inch Screen"].

In "River", Fabian describes the characters that he has met on the canals and rivers [he lives on a boat on the River Lee Navigation]. These "river rats" include a woman who "drinks Special Brew every day"; an old man who has only one friend, his dog; a young father who is separated from his son because of the things the mother has done. It is a brilliantly observed song and one of the highlights of the album.

Another standout track is "Welcome To The Magic Show" which is about businesses [a casino, a fast food joint and a beauty/tanning salon] that promote themselves as glamorous but, in reality, exploit and prey upon the weaknesses of their customers. Again, I find myself wholeheartedly agreeing with the sentiments expressed by Fabian.

This is followed by an exquisite instrumental called "Morning Mist" which channels the spirit of the late Davey Graham and is influenced by the late guitarist's classic tune "Anji".

"The Old Tobacco Tin" is a superbly evocative song about how a simple object can be passed from person to person and have special significance to each of them.

The closing track "The List" is another song that I can empathise with, as it deals with procrastination and how to put off doing today what you can do tomorrow or "perhaps another time". I know the feeling.

In conclusion, this album shows that Fabian Holland's first album was no "one hit wonder". This second album builds on the strengths of the first one and I remain firmly of the view that Fabian Holland is indeed a "major talent" both as a writer of superbly observed songs and as a guitarist of considerable prowess. As with his first album "A Day Like Tomorrow" comes highly recommended.

Peter Cowley