Beyond The 45
Singles, EPs, Downloads
The Fatea office also serves as a home for our weekly Along The Tracks show on Folk Friday 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.
Calum Gilligan – Galloway No More
callumgilligan.com
Born in rural Scotland but now residing in Liverpool, this is Calum’s first of a string of releases in 2024. He’s been making confident strides forwards on the folk scene and this single will enhance his burgeoning reputation. It starts with just his voice over a drone much in the style of a Planxty song in the style of a traditional folk melody. Subsequently, his guitar picking comes in and Calum sings with a lovely voice full of soft vibrato, accompanied by a fine clarinet line. It’s a beautiful song about childhood, encompassing romantic imagery such as ‘when the fog lifted from your eyes we danced as we used to’. Check out his debut album ‘Footsteps on the Broken Road’ for more of Calum’s fine performances. AS
Calum Ingram – Show Me The Way
www.facebook.com/calumingrammusic
Calum is a very original artist and is unique in that he plays rock and roll cello and sings. The cello is put through a fuzz pedal and plays a duet with a Hammond organ, backed by fuzz guitar and drums. The ‘fuzz cello’ really works sounding like a blues harp in texture, it is certainly a very original approach. As for the song itself, Calum has a breathy voice with a good range but his vocals play second fiddle to the blues style instrumentation and I can’t help feeling that with a rockier edge and a bit more personality to his voice that the song would ‘pack more of a punch’, Jagger or Jeff Buckley would have certainly jumped on the back of the excellent riffs to take this song to the next level. However, Calum is definitely worth checking out live because the rock cello approach is most definitely his calling card and it sounds great! AS
Hafdis Huld - Hindsight/Softer Shade Of Blue
www.hafdishuld.com
Hafdis Huld is an Icelandic singer 8 albums into her career. The first half of this single Hindsight is an, at first sight, acoustic pop tune with almost flamenco handclaps as percussion. Listen a few times and there are depths to both music and words. The other half of the single Softer Shade of Blue is an electronic ballad that drifts past with the meditative quality of her voice taking a more positive view of relationships. "I swear the sky grows a softer shade of blue/ While I'm standing underneath it next to you." TM
Amelia Coburn - When The Tide Rolls In
www.ameliacoburn.co.uk
Amelia Coburn's debut album due in March and produced by Bill Ryder-Jones. This single from it raises expectations for the album. It's and atmospheric contemporary folk tune of which Ryder-Jones says: "I've never in my life worked with someone quite like Amelia and I still can't quite put my finger on what she is! That's a compliment by the way. It would've taken me a day to record just her and her uke, but she wanted a bigger sound, so we had a lot of playing around with these arrangements." The arrangement is what sets this apart from the rest of the folk crowd. Haunting, sinister, and with her unique voice rising above the music, this is a must hear song. TM
Paul Alexander Low - Angel
www.paulalexanderlow.com
Straight pop rock songs are never really fashionable, but then they never go out of fashion. High quality songwriting, a strong voice and good arrangement will always attract an audience. And that is what Paul alexander Low deserves with this song that has all the elements in place. While the song is in Bryan Adams ballad territory, the similarity of his delivery to Thom Yorke adds another dimension to this tune dedicated to his daughter. He says: "'Angel' is more than just a melody; it's a piece of my heart transformed into music. It's a celebration of love, life, and the pure joy that Georgia brings into my world every single day." He's put into song the sort of feelings most fathers have but struggle to express. TM
Blue Rose Code - Jericho
bluerosecode.com
One of the finest Scottish artists, in any genre, Blue Rose Code never fail to deliver. Jericho is their latest single. Ross Wilson brings the intensity of Van Morrison at his best to songs with a Motown twist, soul horns punching the song into another dimension. While you wait for the new album, try last year's 'Ten Years Grace' which was a highlight of 2023. TM
Tracy Eckstrand - Come Around
tracyeckstrand.com/home
A single from her EP Who Is Gonna Rescue You, the first impression I took from this is that Eckstrand comes across as a female Lou Reed in the way she delivers the song. That's a compliment, as the 3 minutes of the song fly past, and you find yourself hitting repeat just to get more of this great song. Who Is Gonna Rescue You "is a concept album of 6 songs about the end of a love relationship and the rollercoaster ride of the feelings that go along with a major life loss" and every song on it as good as come Round. TM
The Longest Johns - Shawneetown
www.thelongestjohns.com
The Longest Johns are the living representation of the folk process. They learnt this 1970s song, which in turn came from fragments of other songs dating back to the 1820s from another Shanty group they have given it their usual rousing performance. If you are already a Shanty fan this will give you what you want, if you aren't a fan yet, this could be the one to convert you. TM
Motel Sundown - Lost Time
www.motelsundown.co.uk
Liverpool's close harmony Americana band bring the sounds of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young to the 21st Century. A ferocious Young style guitar solo and frenetic cymbals, give this the bite of CSNY, and step away from the blander areas that this sort of song can drift into. Having seen them live, I would suggest that you go and see them when they play in your town. Definitely a band to watch in 2024 and beyond. TM
Henry Parker - Meanwood Valley Tanneries
henryparkermusic.co.uk
Henry Parker describes himself as a "UK Progressive/Psych Folk Guitarist & Songwriter." There is the pastoral quality to this song that the psych/folk part suggests. The song for the tanning industry of Leeds, which grew up in the Meanwood Valley, in the mid-17th century has the narrative aspects of the best progressive rock. It is different and absolutely great. The B side shows where some of his influences lie. Sweet Spring was recorded for a tribute to Cleve Palmer of the Incredible String Band, and they may well be the be best touch point for his music as a whole. TM
Lisa Goldin - Heartbeat
www.goldinlisa.com/wpWe've reviewed Lisa Goldin's singles here before and this is easily the best offering so far. In Jewel, Sarah Mclachlan territory, with a strong chorus and restrained arrangement. She works mainly in the Middle East and is typical of the many fine musicians building a career well away from the often-testing world of the UK industry. Give her a listen for a professional singer with a fine line in songwriting. TM
Randan - Silence Breaks Through EP
www.randanmusic.com
Randan is Ciaran Daniel, a Scottish singer, songwriter, and guitarist based in London. Sitting between folk and Indie Rock, this is his debut EP. Opening song Whisper catches light with the electric guitar solo at its heart. The epic Hold The Fort has an REM like quality to it, as does The Streets Are Mine. Final song, Salinas is more acoustic but keeps the anthemic indie feel. Overall, this is a set of 4 great songs that should bring him to the attention of a wider audience. TM
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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