Beyond The 45
Singles, EPs, Downloads
The Fatea office also serves as a home for our weekly Along The Tracks show on Blues & Roots Radio and as a rule singles and Eps have generally gone in that direction whilst Fatea generally concentrates on albums and live reviews for our full length feature, but with more artists going back down the single route to keep themselves in the public eye, we thought it was time to reflect that in our offerings and as rules are made to be broken or at the very least adapted, welcome to the Singles Round Up.
Robert Lane - Listen In
www.robertlanemusic.co.uk
Born from a writing session with friend Matty Pinfield, with a title inspired by an NCO from his younger days in the Air Training Corps, Listen In is the deeply personal new single from Robert Lane. While originally written almost as a plea to listen to his music and creative endeavours (including his fascinating Podcast Robert Lane's Creative Careers), it soon took on a deeper meaning. The themes of insecurity and inadequacy are still very much there, but with most of the world seemingly failing to listen, this feels very much bigger than one mans' self-doubt. Lane's Only A Flight Away was one of the best releases of 2018, and Listen In is certainly on the same level, and raises the anticipation levels for a new album to breaking point. There is something quite irrepressible about the new track, and not only will you want to Listen In, you'll want to do so repeatedly. AJ
Roswell - SOS
www.roswellband.co.uk
There's something quite familiar about the latest release from one of the most exciting duos currently on the circuit. This is of course a cover of the popular song from Abba, but it could have been created specifically for Zoë Wren and Jasmine Watkiss, given how much they make this their own. Even if watching Mama Mia is your idea of torture, this version is impossible not to love, with all the Roswellian harmonising we've come to expect from these talented musicians. All the more impressive is that this was recorded remotely, and it is absolutely beautiful. AJ
Plastic Jeezus - Uplift (Pokesdown Station)
plasticjeezus.bandcamp.com
A new song from Plastic Jeezus is always something to get excited about, with their uniquely joyful music never failing to raise the spirits. Simon Fernand is hands down one of the best lyricists around, but this time he's used his powers for the good of the community. Approached by local entrepreneur Gordon Fong, Fernand wrote Uplift to reinvigorate the campaign to get lifts installed at Pokesdown Station. Despite tackling a serious cause, all the touches you'd expect from Plastic Jeezus are here; catchy music, wonderful use of language, and lots of humour throughout. Hopefully the song will be out of date soon, but it's still a wonderful addition to the PJ playlist. AJ
Megan Dixon-Hood - Alias Grace
www.megandixonhood.com
A year ago Megan Dixon-Hood spent a day at a grand piano to produce an acoustic version of the incredible Alias Grace. Ever since then she's been waiting for the perfect time to release it, and that time is now. Alias Grace is a song about judgement, empathy and freedom, so frankly it fits in perfectly in these troubled times we find ourselves in. Inspired by the book of the same name by Margaret Atwood, the acoustic version is hauntingly brilliant, given new emphasis to the lyrics and to the vocal performance. This is well worth checking out. AJ
Nina Ricci - Oh! What A Beautiful City
www.ninariccimusic.com
Following on from her recent single, On The Banks Of The Ohio, Oh! What A Beautiful City is an African American spiritual found on Folksingers 'Round Harvard Square'. The inspiration here comes from Pete Seeger's rendition, sometimes called Twelve Gates to the City. It's a great accompaniment to the previous single, both featuring incredible vocal performances from Ricci. Naturally there is a debt owed here to Joan Baez, with an upcoming album due from Ricci entitled, Fare Thee Well: A Joan Baez Tribute. If you're a Baez fan, check these singles out. AJ
Crooked Weather - Pay My Dues
www.crookedweather.com
Pay My Dues is the latest release from a Hull based band often found in their mustard 1979 campervan, following up from their last album, Are We Lost. They are impossible to pigeonhole, with a blend of indie rock and 70s folk, which is just as much fun as that sounds. Will Bladen's vocals are a joy, and the track is inspired by the life of an independent musician, with the investment of energy and the miserly returns that entails. Most of all it's about that creative spark and the joy of letting it out and forming something new and magical. And that pretty much sums up Pay My Dues, something new and magical. AJ
Gin WIgmore - Feels Like Me
www.ginwigmoremusic.com
The latest single from newly independent Gin Wigmore is a pure delight; an explosion of soulful pop brilliance which drags you up out of your seat and onto the dancefloor. It feels wonderfully raw and full of bubbly positivity, and it's impossible not to be completely captivated by it. With each of her singles right now she is looking to raise awareness of endangered species, and Feels Like Me is raising awareness for Indian Elephants. So not only is the song a pure piece of positivity, but it's also promoting positivity in the world around us. AJ
In Earnest - Come Upstairs
www.inearnest.co.uk
Come Upstairs is the melancholy but beautiful new track from Southend-On-Sea trio In Earnest. Taken from a new EP due out later this year, this is a song with real depth to it, filled with honesty and emotion. Stemming from the mental health issues of Sarah Holburn, and the struggles of partner Thomas Eatherton to help and maintain his own identity. Anyone who has had their moments of struggle will find plenty to recognise here. Come Upstairs has a rich simplicity to it, and you'll discover something new to it with every listen. AJ
Paul McClure - Love You In The Morning / Shoe Song Blues
www.paulmccluremusic.com
The Rutland Troubadour is back performing with the Local Heroes and has released not one, but two singles as a double A side. Love You In The Morning is, you'll be no doubt surprised to hear, something of a love song, and was recorded by 6 members of the Local Heroes across 5 locations. Shoe Song Blues has become a staple of McClure's live sets, but is given new life here with the band performing too. They make a fine pair together, and a worthy addition to anyone's music library. AJ
The Lost Decades - Watson & The Shark
lostdecades.bandcamp.com
There's a little of the Stranglers about The Lost Decade's new single, Watson & The Shark. You may recognise the name, as it comes from the John Singleton Copley painting of an orphan being saved (just about) from the shark that had bitten off his right foot. In the hands of The Lost Decades it becomes a song that will have your foot tapping along, with vocals that can't help but grab the attention. This is funky and just a bit punky, and is a pure delight. AJ
Drew Young - Wondering Where This Will End
drewyoung.com
While it may sound like a song written for 2020, Wondering Where This Will End was actually written last summer. Young describes it as a song about listening to the world and realizing guidance can be found in the wind. As themes go, the power of listening rather than talking feels very apt, and this gentle single is a warm embrace of a track. Wondering Where This Will End is a timely and much needed right now. AJ
Sugarcane - Clear Blue Sky
sugarcaneband.bandcamp.com
Featuring the voice of Antonia Thomas, Clear Blue Sky is the perfect summer song. There's a great deal of the Caribbean in the track, with a little calypso mixed in, and the unmistakable sound of a West Indian steel pan. Listen to this in the garden, with the sun on your face and a cocktail in your hand. Or listen to it indoors while ignoring the rain, and it will just feel like you are out in the sun. Clear Blue Sky is a joyful piece of summer. AJ
David Gilmour With Romany Gilmour - Yes, I Have Ghosts
www.davidgilmour.com/
Like Sinatra before him, David Gilmour has chosen to record with his daughter, Romany, and deliver his first new music for five years. Inspired by the Polly Sampson book "A Theatre For Dreamers", "Yes, I Have Ghosts" shows that his mastery of narrative is even more astute in the simple world of folk, whilst still maintaining a slight nod towards Floyd. This may or may not be the start of a new direction, but this is more than capable of standing on it's own and with family. NK
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.
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