Predominantly a blog of music reviews (albums, gigs, new music). All views & opinions are my own. Subject to status. Written quotations on request. Also one of the homes to Band of Badgers Presents...a music podcast introducing fantastic independent music. Also occasional ramblings of madness with perhaps the odd bit of sense. Eat Snacky Smares....because it's good for you! THIS BLOG HAS NOW MOVED TO http://bandofbadgerspresents.com/
Yes, I am crazy! This is a second kind of non-scheduled blog post this week. Yes, I should be working on the final little bit of the concluding part of my overview/review of 2012. It cannot be helped. There is just too much to share. If I didn't write this one and get it out there my fragile mind would collapse under the pressure of so much great music waiting to be shared. I admit, I should have got this tagged on to the bottom of Monday's post but there was just no time. Arrrrg! Stop! Wait! Tonight is the night so I have to get a move on even now. I'm against the clock in all senses of the expression.
I am of course talking about the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Depending on what time I get to hit the publish button on this post, the awards ceremony is either in full swing (indeed it is) or possibly even already over (most likely for later readers). I regret I won't have time to go over it and share the winners before next week but you don't need me to do that. If you've not even watched the show or perhaps even heard about it (what secluded isle do you live on I'd like to know?) then at least now you will have. You should check out some more about it because it is a seminal night of recognition for British Folk music.There is always the added fact that when you watch or listen to such events you will come across a song or artist that bowls you over. Something new will enter you sphere of musicality. Not sure if that last sentence makes grammatical sense but it sounded good so get over it. Ha!
BBC FOLK AWARDS 2013
COMPILATION ALBUM
It isn't all just hard
traditional type stuff either so don't be scared away by that. Not that such
style should scare you. Unless it's about some mad axe-murdering ghost who
tortures his victims to a painfully slow and grisly death using obscure musical
instruments that....I think I best stop there before I get closed down. There
is so much range to the music covered by all the categories and in turn, the
nominees. From traditional to instrumental, progressive to contemporary and
beyond. Something for everyone. One particular thing that draws me to most, if
not all, forms of folk is how far back into our histories it stretches.
Furthermore, how it is often about passing on ancient stories and lore to each
generation. It is something inclusive and as a society of music fans, something
we can take great pleasure from and indeed, learn from too. I'd not heard of
the interesting Doctor James Katriona Gilmore sings about. An important
character seemingly wiped from history.
Check out the sample of 5 tracks above that all feature on this wonderful broad compilation album. It is just £9.48 for 3 CDs filled with songs from the nominees of this year's awards.
Bellowhead with Roll The Woodpile Down, a song that cannot but get you jigging about like a loon. A happy loon and music-induced so fear not, it is a natural thing. The power of that music. These guys are a juggernaut of talent and are up for Best Album (public vote) with their recently released Broadside. It doesn't stop there for them as they are also nominated for Best Group.
Second is Dr James from the more youthful duo Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts. Personally I think their latest album, The Innocent Left should have been nominated in the Best Album category but then you have seen how difficult it is for me to narrow these things down. It is a cracking album though, full of originality but with a foot of each of them remaining within the traditional camp. Anyways, they are up for Best Duo.
Third is King of Birds from talented singer-songwriter Karine Polwart who has no less than three nominations. Her 2012 album, Traces, is up for Best Album while King of Birds is up for Best Original Song and Karine is nominated for Folk Singer of the Year.
Fourth is the very moving and personal The Ballad of Andy Jacobs from Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman. This duo (Kathryn being the sister of Jamie Roberts, if you didn't know) are up for Best Duo as well as this wonderful song being nominated to Best Original Song. Competition in these things is always tough, as it should be, but I sincerely hope Kathryn is recognized for this song.
Fifth and finally is Sea of Okhotsk from Treacherous Orchestra, which I must admit I absolutely love! It is such an interesting and innovative mix of sounds. There's electronica in there amongst so much else. It sounds superb! Treacherous Orchestra are up for Best Group and I wish them well.
As great as the above are and I think these samples showcase the kind of stuff on the album very well, they can barely hope to scratch the surface. With your appetite duly whetted and to prevent further salivations (and with them the risk of severe flood warnings - do be considerate about all the recent melting snow and rains we've been having), you should go buy the album and enjoy the lot at your leisure.
There are 3 CDs full of wonderment, I did mention that didn't I? 3 disks! Yes three! 3! Go get it for a bargain price of £9.48. Or if you're more in to your digital tunes these days you can buy it from iTunes instead >>here<<. For those who still like to do things the old fashioned way (can you believe I'm saying that about CDs? Anyone remember mini-disks? Ha!), check out the ProperMusic website via this link >>here<<, which will take you directly to the album page.
I wish all nominees my sincerest best wishes but it will come as no surprise I'm rooting for the very awesome Luke Jackson to win the Young Folk Award. Rura have bowled me over too, with their song Mary, which is on the album (disk 1) so go get it and enjoy some fantastic music spanning the entire folk genre. And Lau with The Bird That Winds The Spring - just so sublime. There's too much for me to list so just go buy it. You won't regret it. Full tracklisting below.
NEWS JUST IN......
Okay, I am actually watching the awards stream live via the Radio 2 website as I write this so it is hard not to share what's coming as it comes. Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman scooped the first award for Best Duo. So well-deserved and Sean thanked all those fans who keep attending the gigs because that's what makes it for them! So, please keep at it and get yourself along to wonderful live music. There really is nothing quite like it. Next up is The Horizon Award.....which has gone to Blair Dunlop! A very worthy winner indeed! Well done Blair. If you like what you hear from Blair on the compilation CD make sure you go and buy his awesome debut album Blight & Blossom.
CD 1: Bellowhead - Roll The
Woodpile Down / Hannah James & Sam Sweeney - The Farmer's Cursed Wife /
Anaïs Mitchell - Tailor / Duncan Chisholm - Unknown Air / Kathleen Macinnes -
Tha Sneach'd Air Druim Uachdair / Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts - Doctor
James / Nic Jones - Texas Girl's Lament At The Funeral Of Her Father /
Emily Portman - Hatchlings / Rura - Mary / Kathryn Tickell - Small Coals
CD 2: Lau - The Bird That Winds
The Spring / Maz O'connor - Caw The Yowes / Ross Ainslie -- Lullaby For Mel /
O'hooley & Tidow - Gentleman Jack / Luke Jackson - Last Train / Karine
Polwart - King Of Birds / Blair Dunlop - Billy In The Lowground / Kathryn Roberts
& Sean Lakeman - The Ballad Of Andy Jacobs / The Unthanks - Black Trade /
Sam Lee - Wild Wood Amber / Treacherous Orchestra - Sea Of Okhotsk
CD 3: Greg Russell & Ciaran
Algar - Working On The New Railroad / Thalla - St. Andrew's Flight / Last Tango
In Harris / Luke Jackson - More Than Boys / Graham Mackenzie & Ciorstaidh
Beaton - Father Eugene's Welcome To Cape North; St Kilda's Wedding / Mae Bradbury
- Shiver / Jack Pout - Breaking Of Old Branches / Matt Tighe - Were You At The
Rock?; The College Groves / Rosie Hodgson - Liverpool Lullaby / The
Crosstown Trio - My Heart Is Holding Up A Shield / Hugh Sheehan & Jack
Mccaugherty - The Night Before
I must apologize for having to love you and leave you now as I need to sit back and enjoy the rest of this awards show. But, before I do so please enjoy the video below from a US indie folk band I only stumbled across yesterday, thanks to them following me on Twitter first. The song is Don't Give Up On Me and I think WOW sums it up perfectly, in brief. Much more from Harvest Breed to come soon! So delightful.
Howdy folks. While I'm working away hard at part 2 of my 2012
overview/review, I thought I'd take a break to write up a wee
little post about the The Spiral Awards 2013. Mostly because it is one
big public vote. Well, many public votes I suppose as all categories are
open for fans of the artists and bands and of the online magazine to
vote as they please. And just about anyone else who cares to pass by and vote I suppose.
Now, compiling my own list of favourites has proven difficult enough so I can fully sympathize with the guys and gals at Spiral as they have put together these nominations. It's totally understandable why they now want to let the public decide on the ultimate winners. Being nominated, however is a win in itself and with it brings exposure and promotion of a kind. As is tobe expected, competition is fierce. I don't wish to command you who to vote for but I am going to share with you my own choices for a few of the categories. Please feel free to follow me with some or all but most importantly vote for who you believe deserves to win based on your experiences of them. There are some categories where I'm a fan of several nominees and others where I may only know the one. I don't think there's anything wrong with voting for the one you know and like either, by the way. I come to music via so many different ways and this will be just another. I will likely look up and listen to a number of the other nominees in categories I'm voting. So whereas they may not get my vote this time round, they may well get my listenership.
Public voting closes at noon 14th March so you do have plenty of time to check out the nominees before voting if you'd like to learn more about each. Please do contribute as being chosen by the public and fans will of course mean a lot to these talented folk.
Static on the Airwaves
Levellers
The Ornate Lie
Kim Edgar
Contraband
Kirsty Mcgee
Skulk
Jim Moray
Anyone who's kept up with the blog over the past year will know how much of a Levellers fan I am. So, it will come as little surprise I'm voting for Static On The Airwaves for Best Album. Following 2008's magnificent Letters From The Underground was always going to be difficult. With Static, I think the band have managed to do so with something that harks back to a lot of early days kind of stuff. With their added experience and it is far from any simple rehash of that older work, of course. It just has some wicked fiddle on most of the tracks and some wonderful hook-laden choruses that you really can't help but get your feet moving along to. When it is hard to pick standout songs because all are so good you know a band has done its job well. If pushed, I'd have to single out We Are All Gunmen, Truth Is, After The Hurricane and Mutiny but as you can tell I'm in danger of listing them all.
Orfeo
Fay Hield and the Hurricane Party
Northumbrian Voices
Kathryn Tickell
The Seas Are Deep
Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker
Another Day Another Story
James Findlay
I saw James Findlayperform when he was supporting Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman last February. While I admit I am more a fan of the more contemporary folk stuff, including the reworked and updated traditional songs, James really impressed me. So much so I bought two of his albums at the gig on the night. I loved how he spontaneously warmed up his voice with a song acapella before warming up the crowd with a host of traditional tunes.
In Time
Alister Atkin
The Wild Wild Berry
Stephanie Hladowski & C. Joynes
Vice of the People
Albion Band
Blight & Blossom
Blair Dunlop
Now this category presents the first issue. I'm coming down on the side of Blair Dunlop because his debut Blight & Blossom is the album I've heard most. I'm afraid I didn't have time enough to get into Vice Of The People by The Albion Band. This of course is the next generation of The Albion Bandand what a damn fine generation it is. Including Blair Dunlop himself, together with Katriona Gilmore and a number of other hugely talented young folk musicians. So why am I not choosing their album then? If I had have been able to hear it more than I have, I may well have chosen it but sadly time, as is always the way, conspires against me. It is a great album though and I highly recommend it.
Blair's Blight & Blossom is also fantastic, which is why I'm selecting that one as my winner in this category. I was supposed to go see him play in Milton Keynes but sadly it was during the Great Manflu attack of 2012. That pesky virus lingered on for weeks and weeks and I was coughing so much I didn't want to ruin it for other folk. Next time, Blair, I shall be there!
Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman
Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin
Gilmore & Roberts
O'Hooley & Tidow
On my latest podcast (#12) I expressed how much of a difficult time this category would give me when mentioning two acts in particular, going head to head for the Best Duo at the BBC2 Radio 2 Folk Awards this year. To now be faced with just such a decision for these awards means this post is now a day later than I'd planned. Seriously, how does one possibly choose one over the other when both acts mean quite a fair bit to me? This is the very case whereby it needs to be possible to vote for two. I feel queasy having to actually make a firmer decision. I came toKathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman thanks to randomly buying their second album at the first Seth Lakeman gig I attended a few years back (I'd already got all of Seth's at this point). I absolutely loved it! Rule & Bant from that album is one of my favourite songs (and was played on podcast #12). Their long-awaited return as a duo on the music circuit was cemented in the summer with the release of their third album, Hidden People. I reviewed it >>here<< and have seen them live three times now. As the shows I'd seen before the latest album proved, they are a world class musical pairing who have perhaps been underrated due to their absence from centre stage for a number of years.
I bet there's no sibling rivalry in real life (these folk are just too lovely) as Kathryn's brother Jamie makes up the Roberts component of Gilmore & Roberts. Katriona Gilmore is every bit as humble and personable as Kathryn, as she talks the audience through stories about the songs they played at the gig I went to in October. They had been on my radar already but as you will be aware I get so much music these days sometimes I miss out on amazing things. I count these guys amongst those amazing things! I am just grateful that as a part of doing all this music stuff I was asked if I wanted to review their latest album The Innocent Left. Is a cat one of the laziest domestic animals in existence? So I snapped that one up and my review can be read >>here<<. It is partly me reviewing the album as to why I didn't get a write up about the gig shortly after that evening of magical entertainment. I have however written up a review of it for part 2 of the overview/review.
So....yes....I can ramble on as much as I'd like but I still have to choose who I'm voting for don't I? Right! Well.....do I have to choose? You see why I sometimes have issues selecting the individual songs for the podcast. Okay then. I have to do it. I'm going to go for Gilmore & Roberts! I'm saying nothing further on the matter. I feel bad enough as it is. Not for choosing Gilmore & Roberts because they so deserve to win with their wonderful combination (both live & recorded) but I sincerely love Kathryn & Sean's work. I would be useless on an award committee wouldn't I?
Because Of You
Nicky Swann
Cosmonaut
Nick Cave ft. Emmylou Harris
The Ballad Of Andy Jacobs
Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman
Young Man In America
Anais Mitchell
I can go some way to redeeming myself and feeling less upset at not being able to select Kathryn & Sean for the Best Duo category as well by voting for Kathryn's heartbreaking and thoroughly moving original song, The Ballad of Andy Jacobs. It's one of those where just a few presses down on the piano keys is enough to make you well up. It is striking in the imagery she paints for you with both music and words so that you really get inside Andy's life and feel for what things must have been like for these folk during those times. You can smell the coal and the burning as that fire takes hold towards the end. This is one remarkable achievement and needs to be recognized accordingly. It better win at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards too, as it is nominated in the same category there.
Nick Burbridge
Anais
Mitchell
Ewan McLennan
Karine Polwart
This is another category that threatened to prove a tough choosing challenge. Ewan McLennan has written some really great stuff that I enjoy. Karine Polwart released her most recent album last year too, proving she has a remarkable songwriting talent. At the risk of over-promoting my own reviews and stuff (I'm going to anyway), I did review Traces>>here<<. It is one stunning album of songs! Even so, the winner hands down for me cannot but be the master storyteller, poet, songwriter, musician and all-round talented Mr Nick Burbridge!
Given his hugely busy schedule thanks to just how many different diverse and wonderful projects he works on, he's not exactly had chance to get out on the road in support of his most recent music collaboration with Tim Cotterell. Gathered was released earlier last year and in my last blog post I described why it was one of my top favourite albums of 2012. Anything from Nick stands out so far ahead of pretty much anything else. Its scope, its quality, its production and most importantly (and the reason he gets my vote as Best Songwriter, without any doubt) the structure and content of the songwriting is just unparalleled! I stand by what I wrote at the end of my bit on Gathered in that last post, 'Nick Burbridge is one of the UK's, even the world's, greatest artistic talents!' Make sure you vote for his efforts and if you've never heard much of his stuff before then get yourself to http://www.burbridgearts.org/ where you will find so much greatness you will be back to vote for him before too long. You can check out Gathered below and then please submit your vote.
Beautiful Days
Sark Folk Festival
Maverick
Cambridge Folk Festival
Again, regular readers and/or listeners will understand why I'm voting for Beautiful Days for the Festival Award. I've been several times myself and it was with great sadness I was unable to make it last year. It is one huge family who all come together to celebrate good independent music and something that feels on the right side of freedom. With any luck I'll be able to get in this year thanks to all the writing I'm doing and so cover some/all of the festival. That is much harder than it sounds to be honest as I found when writing up about last year's Truck Festival. It was an incredible amount of fun though and something I would absolutely without a shadow of a doubt, want to repeat this year. Perhaps I'll hit the jackpot and get to cover Cambridge Folk Festival, Truck Festival and Beautiful Days. That would make one magical mountainous musical summer. Bring it on please!!
While on the subject of festivals and to bring this wee little (little?? well for me, it is) post to a close I want to share the exciting news that tickets for this year's Truck Festival will be going on sale from 7pm on Monday 4th February. This will start with the final batch of very limited early bird tickets held at 2012 prices. Set reminders or alarms! Make notes with those little magnetic words you have on your fridges (perhaps just the students on that one - I miss those to be fair). Stick up post it notes above the loo and in the shower. Just make sure you get your tickets for one amazing weekend!
ARTIST: SETH LAKEMAN EP: LIVE WITH THE BBC CONCERT ORCHESTRA LABEL: PROPER RECORDS TRACKS: 5 WEBSITE: http://www.sethlakeman.co.uk RELEASED: 3rd DECEMBER 2012
The title alone should be enough
to get you almost wetting yourself in anticipation for this latest release from
the prolific contemporary folk troubadour that is Seth Lakeman. His
uniquely produced and most recent album Tales From The Barrel House, was
simply amazing but this Live EP goes even further. With an angel hoard in the
guise of the BBC Concert Orchestra at Seth’s back, expect to be carried off
to a heavenly paradise on a white winged Pegasus, with a shower of warm golden
rays raining down over you. Wherever you listen, be it on the move or resting
up, it has the ability to spin the globe under your feet without moving so much
as a single hair on your head. It brings tales directly to you in the form of
richly woven tapestries, which swirl and entertain you to the max.
With five of Seth’s well-known
songs featured, both fans and anyone new to his music are in for a right royal
treat. Opening with Blacksmith’s Prayer (Tales From The Barrel House), the
added army of instruments compliment Seth’s mandolin with razor sharp precision.
They immediately build up so many intricate layers to the song, you may want to
get hold of a map to find your way out of it. You feel so close to that
Blacksmith you can feel his sad warm breath on your neck as he laments his dying
trade. One thing is for sure, that prayer will not only be heard but also felt
with phenomenal force. The urgency of even just the string section half way
through manifests the ghosts of all Blacksmiths from everywhere in a desperate
bid to be remembered and noticed. It is a sublime goosebumps music moment!
The Lady of the Sea herself
graces your presence while flanked by mermaid masses doing synchronised
summersaults to the nostalgic nautical notes of this song from Freedom
Fields. Buckle up your lifejacket as the mighty ship soars out into the
ocean carried along by the tidal waves of a violin chorus wrapped around the
bold brass winds. Music was made to be played this way, big, bold and
atmospheric. There are Changes (Hearts & Minds) afoot
as the third track reins things in somewhat. It’s a good job really, to allow
your mind to readjust itself back to reality after such an epic start. The
subtlety of it is welcome and the delicacy so many musicians playing at once
can achieve is quite breathtaking.
You better dress up in your
finest finery for King & Country (Freedom Fields). With its rapturous
royal fanfare of an introduction don’t be surprised if you’re left wondering
when the King will appear. The layers weaved by the orchestra on this song to
accompany Seth’s mandolin, capture the deep personal emotion of the lyrics very
well. It wouldn’t have felt right had Kitty Jay not been included on this
release and boy does it bring the collection to a perfect close. It is always a
pleasure watching Seth play this song at a gig and this version will not
disappoint. The thunderous drums crash down with such foreboding menace, as if
Gods are stomping across the earth hunting something out. The fast and furious
fiddling is present of course but Seth is joined by the string section and
together with the wonderful arrangement of the other sections, this version of
his own classic will have you out of breath by its end.
The only thing that would have made
this EP better is if it was a) longer or b) if Kitty Jay had sparked a
furious and lengthy jamming session between Seth & the strings, or indeed
the entire orchestra. Oh, the fiddle-off that could result from such a thing.
The energy would be enough to light the world for an eternity! Renewable energy too, of a sort.I have a feeling this live recording will not
be every fan’s cup of tea but personally, I cannot praise it enough. With a
huge love and appreciation for classically trained musicians it is always
delightful to hear them take on more contemporary or unusual genres and get it
right. As a Seth fan myself, this provides a new way to experience his music, adding a totally different dimension. I’ve no doubt this was a big challenge for all involved, Seth included,
but it is one that really has paid off.
You can pre-order your limited edition signed copy of the EP in various formats from ProperMusic:
I've actually sent a few questions on to the lovely folk at Prescription PR who I thank for the opportunity of reviewing this record. They have passed them on so I'm hoping they come back with answers so I can edit the little interview into this post. I think it will compliment it nicely. Fingers crossed.
I’m a bit of a latecomer to this
young folk duo but let me tell you one thing before I continue; after hearing
this latest album and seeing them perform live recently, I will be soaking up as
much as I can get my hands on from now on! I’m not in the least bit surprised
they are an award-winning pair (Best Original Song for Fleetwood Fair – Hancock
Award) and if The Innocent Leftdoesn’t
pick up at least a few awards here and there over the next year then the awarding
committees all need sacking and replacing with people who have proper taste.
I love how it manages to make use
of traditional folk roots without sounding anything like just another folk
record. To its credit, it is much more diverse and versatile. There’s a
wonderful rich mixture of sounds bought into the mix thanks not only to the tremendous
talents of Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts on their respective
violin, mandolin and guitar but courtesy of the featured guests too. With Ben
Nicholls (Seth Lakeman) on double bass and Tom Chapman of the Urban
Folk Quartet bringing his exceptional percussion skills to the table,
the end result is one of charming musical perfection.
Opening with two original songs
drawing deep from that folk-inspired well even these have enough passion and
creativity poured into them they transcend any simple categorisation. The first
amounts to Jamie’s Ode to the Scarecrow with a prominent violin
lining the fields as its character is painted in vivid multidimensional colours.
You end up really feeling for the sad sorry failure come the final round of
what is a beautiful smooth chorus. This leads into Kat’s inspiring tale Doctor
James. Based on the true story of military surgeon James Miranda Stuart Barry,
this song breathes life into a purposely long forgotten tale. It’s always great
to learn new things from music as I’d never before heard this story. After
living life as a man and becoming Inspector General in charge of military
hospitals, it was discovered he was actually a she and thus why the name was
seemingly deleted from history. Music that educates like this should really be
used in schools.
The remarkable start moves up to
lofty heights with Shuffle & Deal. This song leaps so far ahead you have to
race to keep up. And race you will, as far as you have to in order to hear it,
even if you were to lose both lungs in the process. It is such a special track
and for all the other greats on the album, this one can’t help but stand out a
mile. While the opening two keep one foot firmly in the traditional camp, Shuffle
& Deal is the first to move so far beyond those boundaries. This
only serves to bolster its magnificence and show how comfortable and adept this
duo is at just making truly great music. The backing vocals come in the shape
of the US
sister duo Larkin Poe who sing over Kat’s chorus of simple yet highly
emotive stretched out single words. Every millisecond of this song is a work of
pure fine art ending with many perfectly placed instruments that hitch along
for the ride before it finishes just as delicately as it started.
It is evident both musicians have
worked hard, not only on nailing the perfect musical arrangements but also on
the song writing. It is razor sharp. The subject matter covered is a
wonderfully varied blend to tantalise all possible tastes. It feels so precise
and if there was a mathematical formula for the perfect mix then this album has
applied it. That’s not to say it feels in any way rigid as a result. Quite the opposite,
there is a breathtaking fluidity that carries you through the whole adventure.
At times it renders you lying on a lilo floating gently downstream to the
beauty of real-life based Louis Was A Boxer and sat nav
tribute, Silver Screen. Yes, a song even about those
trusted/troublemaking navigation devices comes courtesy of Kat and is one
bathed in the same quality and splendour as the rest. Others grab you by the
feet, pull you up and send you flying through invisible rapids, particularly the
two instrumentals Seven Left For Dead and Over Snake Pass. Both have magical
properties, splicing and dicing their way through multiple dimensions, taking
you along for the rip-roaring ride. Then there's Letters, a deeply moving number where the vocals have the power to break your heart. They convey the emotional turmoil of Kat's Danish great-grandmother waiting to hear news of her son as she worked for the BBC World Service during the Second World War.
There’s only one actual
traditional song featured in the form of Jamie’s rewriting of False
Knight On The Road. Having now heard a number of previous versions by a
range of different artists from Steeleye Span, Hart and Prior and even
the mighty Fleet Foxes, False Knight blows them all out the
water to be quite honest. Finally, there’s irony afoot but with arms as Jamie’s
closing ballad, The Stealing Arm is a retelling of John Ashton’s The Thief’s
Arm about an amputation that went somewhat rather wrong. It’s a great
way to bring the album to a close with its hook-laden chorus that embeds itself
inside your head and as ever Jamie’s vocals sound amazing.
This album is a real breath of
fresh air. While maintaining all important links to the folk genre it smashes
through any walls and divides, crossing safely into many other areas. To widen its appeal, contemporary folk music
has been evolving in a real positive direction thanks to many of today’s
talented bands and artists. The Innocent Left reaches the zenith
of this evolution with Gilmore and Roberts producing a
modern masterpiece. It has a delicious mix of everything required to make it
stand out from the rest and is one that you simply must own.
You can (and you really should) buy your copy now from a number of websites. Just click on the links below:
Howdy all. Herein lies podcast number six. Not quite sure why I welcome you all in this way given the title says it all (as does your ability to count) but ah, well. I may as well continue the way I started. Besides, I like to give you a warm welcome and express my gratitude for taking the time to stop by. I am fully aware how precious free time can be and I'm also fully aware about how much I can ramble on, at times. I studied Philosophy, so that should say all there is to about that. Rambling can be good. Depends what one rambles on about of course. I really should relegate my rambles to the end of the post shouldn't I? That way you're not faced with it at the start. That is if you haven't just skimmed it briefly, moving swiftly on to the playlist and other music news below. I certainly don't blame you to be fair but check out my exciting new musical promotion proposal.
While at Truck Festival a couple of weeks ago (I know, I know, where's the review? I honestly wish it hadn't taken so long and I'm not moaning (okay I may be moaning about the lack of time issue again but well, it is an issue after all. Perhaps cloning myself would assist in some way. Two (or more) of me to speed things along a bit)), seeing all the luxurious campervans in attendance made me think, wouldn't it be groovy (the youth still say groovy, right?) if I had one myself and was able to go on a grand musical adventure visiting as many UK music festivals as I could next year.
Covering the length, breadth and width of the entire UK (including Northern Ireland, if they'll have me) attending one every two or three weeks. What a mission it could be. Perhaps helping raise money for charity along the way as well as assist in promoting for whoever would be generous and kind enough to sponsor the whole thing. Yes, there is that. I'm still no lottery winner just yet. Writing up the adventure would be an amazing experience too as would all those bands and artists I would get to see. And what about Band of Badgers Presents Live Sessions whereby artists or bands performing at the festivals sing a song or two inside the home on wheels? (or rather by the side as a campervan is not a TARDIS - although who knows maybe one might well be a TARDIS, the camouflage is kind of the point is it not?) Maybe I am just dreaming, especially that last part, or reaching a tad too high but hey, at least I'm reaching somewhere. I can see it now....a band of banjo (and guitar, flute, violin, drums etc...) playing badgers painted on one side of the campervan. Oh, right, yes. I appear to have woken up now.
Part 1 of my Truck review will follow this post quite quickly, by the way. Just in time for Bakewell Music Festival this coming weekend. Bring it on!
Enough of all that for the moment though and on with (cue Echo sound effect) THE PLAYLIST. And you may want to sit back & relax because below, have I got a jam packed blogcast* for you.
*I'm not sure if this word should be patented by Aidan Logan, a singer-songwriter I played on the last podcast. He coined the term in a Tweet and it has kind of stuck.
It would be misleading to claim The Scholars are my only band of the moment (there's just too much music in orbit around me at present) but they are certainly at the top of that list! I think I've mentioned before how I was immediately hooked by their sound after hearing the song I played here, This Heart's Built To Break, for the first time. It is available as a free download and I snapped that up as soon as I was made aware quite some time ago now so make sure you do too by visiting their >>bandcamp<< page.
As I mention in the podcast I've been fortunate enough to be able to hear the five brand spanking new tunes the band have recently recorded and which they will be releasing individually as singles from September onwards. I'll talk and write more about them in the coming months and I honestly cannot wait to be able to play the first new single, Wired (in a few episodes time). Initially the recordings were going to be put out as a 5 track EP but the band decided to take the single route instead. It makes sense as they will be able to focus on promoting each track they end up releasing gathering more press in the process. There will of course be a string of gigs to help promote the first release but dates and venues are all still to be arranged and announced. Naturally I will report what I can whenever I hear it. These guys are a band I would travel wherever I needed to in order to get to a show. Lucky for me, they are only down the road (albeit a long one) in Banbury, Oxfordshire.
Going from a five to a three piece band they have managed to retain the real core element of the sound they had established so perfectly. In addition though it is clear they have also built on what came before so their musical development is evident. Adrian and Chris actually played an acoustic set in support of Spring Offensive at a free gig in Banbury last Friday 3rd August receiving a good reception. I wish I could have been there although in my defence it was my mum's birthday (Happy Birthday mum) and I was visiting the family to meet my newborn nephew for the first time. You see, my mad scientist cloning idea would prove useful for so many things.
If you haven't done so already then why not check out the excellent 5 track EP, Arrival/Departure, from the band, which was released in 2011. When you've had a listen below and realise how talented and amazing these guys are head to iTunes where if you part with just £3.95 the EP can be all yours. Make sure your ears are paying full attention so you don't miss any gig announcements to come because if you miss them when they're near you, then the SMAs (pronounced Smars..Special Music Agents) will hunt you down and may just torture you for crimes against indie music. Don't say I didn't warn you!
I know I've gone on about interviews before and still not featured any as yet but there is a master plan. Okay, maybe less of a master but there is a plan and I'd like to see the first interview in podcast #10. Hopefully I'll be able to bag one with The Scholars which would be pure awesomeness.
I ended up forgetting to mention the name of the other music podcast that featured the recent interview with them. I didn't do this on purpose in spite of my little jest about withholding the information until the end of the show. It is called From the ladder factory and I honestly do urge you to check it out if you enjoy your music podcasts. Which as you're here I'm hoping you do.
GET YOUR NEW NEWs HERE!
So many new singles out at present or on their way. And EPs or albums to boot. Although I only played Cosmic Ambulance last time, which is taken from their EP The Street is a Symphony(released in 2011/iTunes 2012) the recent release of Our Little Empire is an opportunity for me to assist further with promoting (in my own small way) this breathtaking Aussie brotherly duo, Lavers. These guys cover an astounding range with their songs drawing comparisons from the likes of Jeff Buckley, Ryan Adams and even The Beatles. These are not just random names casually thrown about, either. Just one listen to the first EP will have you agreeing in some way, shape or form as you marvel at the eclectic mix contained therein.
Our Little Empire is available to buy right now from either their >>bandcamp<< website or via >>iTunes<<. It is taken from their forthcoming seven track EP, Endless Corridors due for release on 25th August. How awesome is that? With seven tracks you're pretty much getting a near complete full album. You can pre-order it if you'd like to by following the necessary links on the bandcamp page. Check out the video for the single (shot in Japan) below. Do also take a look at the startling stop-motion animation video for Tangled Up In Dreams >>here<<. This was produced to help raise awareness about the issue of avoidable blindness.
Electro/Indie/Pop band, Let's Go Safari are indie in all senses of the word. Signed to the independent record label Red Dragon Records, the four-piece band are set to release their second single, BYOB (Bring Your Own Beer) on 20th August so I'm grateful to them and Red Dragon Records for allowing me to play it here ahead of that release. They are just starting off on their musical journey together but BYOB sounds like they've been at it for so much longer. It is a proper catchy summer tune that will have you bopping about and wanting beer for sure.
The force of singer-songwriting power that is Kid Conventional is playing a gig at the O2 Academy in Birmingham on 24th October supporting Tom Forbes. With tickets at just £6 in advance you are clinically insane if you live in or nearby the area and do not go along to support this amazing talent! Tickets can be purchased >>here<<. He will also be playing ArtsFest in September but more about that in due course.
T E Morris is unique. Unique and so prolific I'm surprised he manages to fit in any sleep. Or anything other than making inspirational, moving and top quality music. With EP after EP and the album, We Were Animals released earlier this year there is yet another full album, And You Were The Hunter, due out on August 27th. I swear Tom has single-handedly redefined the word, prolific. It's like he's written a thesis on it by way of his relentless output. There is no sign of his work tiring either with the quality just getting crisper.
Now, I haven't yet said it this time but Perry Hood's 4 track EP, Ropes, blew me clean away. Okay, perhaps I mentioned being blown away after having a quick listen to an album I'd been sent to review. Seriously though, whereas I needed to catch a flight back to listen to the remainder of that album, Perry's sincere and experienced sounding songs blew me even further - out into deep space. Here is a guy who's lyrics and voice are just so engaging. Please visit his Facebook page and hit the 'like' button. Let's get his numbers on the increase like he deserves. Then pop to his >>bandcamp<< page and offer a decent price (although at 'name your price' it is a bargain opportunity) to buy your own digital download of Ropes.
As I've mentioned so many others from this particular show it would be a heinous crime to leave out the passionate indie acoustic US singer-songwriter, Nate Jones. I am WOWed by a lot of the music coming my way these days but there are always those that push it so much further beyond even WOW. I still can't help but be shocked, at times. Hearing Nate sing his own personal and intelligent original songs I was quite near drowned by the sheer intensity of the passion he packs within them, and with his performances. This is a guy destined for big things, I believe! He is so young to have such an accomplished sound as well but I'm certainly not complaining. Make sure you get to his >>Facebook page<< or alternatively his >>Reverbnation page<< where you can listen to the perfection he demonstrates with the likes of Autumn Road (or click play below) and Hello Catastrophe. Nate is also a fan of the US writer Jack Kerouac, as am I, and with how poetic he comes across this does influence his music I think, even if not directly. More from Nate in the future, you can count on it!
LUKE JACKSON'S DEBUT ALBUM OUT 13/08
I'm a really big fan of the acoustic indie roots singer-songwriter Luke Jackson who's song White Lies I played on the very podcast. I'm yet to play another but in the next show I'm going to revisit a number of previously featured bands and artists, Luke will definitely be one of those returning. What better way to celebrate the release of his first full length album More Than Boys, due out on 13th August. I've been following his music for quite a while now and I can't believe how quick the time has passed since he was first talking about the possibility of recording this with the assistance of Martyn Joseph. To say I'm excited about this album would be understatement of the century. Luke is working hard to assist Tom Morris in redefining the word prolific as he continues to gig all over the place, uploading many a video to his websites while being at college and working a part time job. What is the secret? If it's a secret magic word like in SuperTed then I'll be sure to ask him. Oh yes, I have booked tickets to a gig he is headlining for Rugby Roots at the Merchant Inn on Monday 8th October. Tickets can be purchased >>here<<.
Another singer-songwriter I played on the first podcast, I will be writing much more about Andrew Page next time as well but I could not pass up the opportunity to include the below video of him covering the Tom Petty song Free Fallin' because you just HAVE to hear and see him perform. Magical. Sublime. Outstanding. I'm yet to see him myself but that situation needs to be remedied and quick!
And then there's the awesome Aidan Logan who played a gig at the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast just yesterday. This video is of his own song Tell Me, which he has been tweeking a bit for recording but here it is in its original form. I'll be playing this song on the next podcast.
A Game of Chess with Pawns or Kings.
As you may or may not know I do frequent the Twitter-verse a fair bit which is one chief way I pick up so much new music. Last Friday night I received a tweet from this US-based folk band asking for my opinion on their music. This is just the latest in a number of bands who have asked for my opinion. I am just so grateful my opinion is sought after. Citing they sounded a bit like Mumford and Sons I knew I'd like what I came across but OMG (if I may be allowed to abbreviate)!! If you could really fall in love with music then this would be it for me. Instantly, like love at first sight. Okay, the love references might start getting a little weird or inappropriate but believe me what Pawns or Kings provide is something I needed, even if I didn't realise it was missing.
Having listened to the songs from their album, Letters to Lucy I can understand where the Mumford and Sons comparisons arise. However, make no mistake these guys are no mere mimics. They have produced some masterpieces that sound like a perfect mix of folk infused americana. I don't have space here to elaborate much at present but you can expect Pawns or Kings to feature in a post all by themselves at some point soon. I've included one song you MUST listen to. Come to Pass has the added sound of the penny-whistle and I'm not afraid to admit it gave me goosebumps.
It just so happens the guys are self-confessed Tolkien geeks, just like me. Wow, cool musicians like what I like (see also Nate Jones being a fan of Kerouac). There is some Philosophical logic that would deduce (I think, it's been a while) I too must be cool. I like this kind of logic.
Tom Smith - In brief.
Let me make it very clear, Tom Smith is worthy of much more than this brief mention will manage to convey. Perhaps I should have waited until next time when I have more time and space but then you would have had to wait far too long to be bought to this Irish singer-songwriter's exquisite, atmospheric music. Citing influences such as Johnny Cash, John Lennon and Cathy Davey, I must admit you can really hear tones of James Vincent McMorrow in this song Moon Bird. That said, as with all those I feature just because they have influences or they sound like another particular band or artist, it doesn't make them imitators. With Moon Bird, Tom proves he has just what it takes to make his own mark on the music world with a song brimming with his own unique talent. You can (and you should) purchase the single from his bandcamp website by clicking on the artwork below. As with Perry Hood above, it is another 'name your price' deal so you really want to be snapping up these bargains before these gifted folk enter the music stratosphere. Although being such down to earth, lovely people I have no doubt they will still be offering fantastic value for your money with their future releases.
Tom also has a Soundcloud page and I've included the song Runaways below too. To me this encapsulates a very Dylan-esque kind of sound. I've only heard a few songs but this is a chap I am really looking forward to hearing more from. I will of course be playing a tune in a future show so stay tuned (well, not tuned I guess, but you know what I mean).
And Finally...
I believe I need to wrap this one up pretty sharpish given how long I've been waffling on. There's just so much to say (write) and report about. So much I enjoy sharing.
I'm really looking forward to Bakewell Music Festival this weekend. I'll be doing a review and will endeavour to get it completed and up as soon as possible after my return. I'm excited about seeing what this small idyllic festival has to offer. Excited too at getting to see Saturday headliners Gypsy Fire before Seth Lakeman. Second time this year for Seth, always a huge joy.
To play out the show. Oh, I see. Alrighty then, to sign off the blog post accompanying the show (or the blogcast) I have two bright sparkling gems. You may need to cover your eyes they shine so bright. Simon Friend of The Levellers has his own side project called Seismic Survey. I believe they only toured for the first time last year, possibly the year before. Frankly, I'm shocked I haven't got myself to a gig yet because as much as I love all things Levellers, I do have a fondness for Simon's songs such as Boatman, Battle of the Beanfield, Believers, Angel, Elation....the list goes on but a delicious performance of the latter is below.
Also just before you go (I know the hour is late, but think not of your tired morning state, this tune I know you'll rate, so click on play let's not debate!) this is the most recent tune from Laurence Fox. Enjoy!
As ever, a humungous mountain-sized load of thanks from me for your time and attention. I hope you've enjoyed #6 and can take something away with you. As mentioned above, next time will see me playing a set of songs from previously featured bands and artists so I hope you'll come back for that one. Until next time, peace to you all and in the words of Essnemma Caulfied, Stay Gay! Go>>here<< to see what I'm on about.
