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.
Don Amero - Can't Fix This
donamero.ca
Canadian Country singer has managed the tricky task of sitting between mainstream commercial country and something grittier very nicely. Dobro fills blend with Benmont Tench style organ and a guitar solo that doesn't hang about to give the base for his powerful vocal. Just a good country song, like they used to make. TM
Just Above Snakes - March On
justabovesnakes.com
Describing themselves as Folk/Country is accurate. Drawing Banjo and harmonica from the rootsier bits of country and adding in a very English folk tune and singing gives us a short sharp danceable tune. The bass pushes the song forward, and the whole thing teeters on the edge of chaos in the best Pogues fashion. They also have an EP out, All He's Ever Known, which is just as good. A new name to note. TM
Charlotte Young - Whiplash
www.facebook.com/CharlotteYMusic
Is this where country music shifts back from the bland? Charlotte Young has a strong strident voice, and her tune is punchier and harder than so much current country. Guitar solos also seem to be back in fashion. While the influence of Lambert, and other modern country singers shows up in her music there is something altogether more classic about her singing and this excellent single. TM
Walk Don't Run - Mississippi
www.facebook.com/walkdontrun6
Naming your band after an old Ventures hit and then using surf guitar to create a single from an EP that was recorded to raise money for local good causes in their area of Scotland. They say "We are a group of friends who love playing Traditional Country Music with our own twist. The Band's music has a real southern country feel. There's plenty of moonshine, whiskey, trucks, trains, heartbreak, and cheating." Great fun, buy it. TM
Caitie - Tragic
www.facebook.com/caitiexmusic
A good modern pop song ruminating on a fairytale friendship, shattered by the harsh realities of teenage school popularity, and peppered with celebrity references, over an 80s electropop beat. It's a good song, and she sings it well, although the inevitable shadow of Swift hangs over it. Her Facebook and PR bio suggest it has been a journey to get to this point, so hopefully there are other songs this good to come along later, in which case you heard about her here first. TM
Kaia Kater - In Montreal
www.kaiakater.com
One of the wave of female singers operating at the margins of Americana, mostly revolving around the sublime Allison Russell who features here. Abstract Banjo and fiddle this draws on influences rooted in her own background from Quebec, the Caribbean, and Appalachia. Now, I find I've just missed her playing in the UK. I won't make that mistake again. Quite astoundingly good blend of Americana, Jazz, and Folk. Spoiler alert… I've heard some of the rest of the album, and it's just as amazing. TM
Elles Bailey - Enjoy The Ride
www.ellesbailey.com
Having seen Bailey debut some of her new material at the Bath Songwriters Festival recently I can tell you she is in the form of her life and this first single from Beneath The Neon Glow is a clear statement of where she is going. She blends her Blues, Americana, and Rock influences more successfully than ever before, and that was a high bar to make. A wonderfully live feel that should sell tickets as well as albums. She's supporting Jools Holland soon, and I wouldn't be surprised if she blows him off the stage. TM
Mayia - Bedroom Floor
www.facebook.com/mayasteadmann
Another young (19) singer songwriter, who has avoided the cliches plaguing a lot of newer music. Bits of country, bits of pop, but blended into something all her own. The acoustic segments work as well as the bigger production moments and with an intriguing violin popping up at the end. That suggests the arrangement has been thought through properly by someone with ears. A promising single to get her career off to a great start. TM
Caroline Shaw and S? Percussion - Rectangles And Circumstances
sopercussion.com
This sits in a place between modern Classical music and Bjork with the sort of poetic imagery Betty Thatcher used to write for Renaissance. The New Yorker said So percussion have an "exhilarating blend of precision and anarchy, rigor and bedlam," and that sums this piece up. You have to listen a few times to sort out what is going on but give it time and the inner beauty of Shaw's words, over the grating synths and abstract percussion reveals itself. TM
Laura Dannan - Rise
www.lauradannan.com
A more traditional singer songwriter than some of the material we have looked at recently. The stream of consciousness words over a simple guitar, flute and strings backing show a more emotional side of the songwriting craft. One of an increasing number of people who come to music later in life, which often brings a different slant to the writing. If you are of an age, her song Midlife Crisis which is on her website is very relatable. TM
Helena Mace - See You In A While
www.helenamace.comApril is clearly country month. Here's another from the more pop end of the genre. Pedal steel and strings give us a smooth almost mid 70s feel to the song. Her clear, very English voice lends a quality to the tune that is often lacking in singers trying to ape American mannerisms. With 5 self-released albums to her name, you would expect her to deliver quality and she does that amply on this single. TM
Anaya And Churchdown - A Long Way Down
www.facebook.com/AnayaandChurchdownd
More country, but acoustic with a gentle groove with guitar, and a stuttering fiddle line that drives the duet singing. They say: "Long Way Down is a personal song to us; it's about remembering how far you've come and what you've achieved before throwing it all away." Another aspect of Folk/Country from a Welsh duo who gig far and wide according to their Facebook. Take the chance to catch them if they are in your town. TM
Two Ways Home - Medicine Man
www.twowayshome.com
Two Ways Home, a duo from Vienna and Gloucestershire employ every Country Rock cliché in the book but mix them up into a song that is up at the top end of entertaining. From the Steve Earle opening to the acoustic last chord this is a song that you will want to play on repeat. Punchy and dynamic this delivers quality, good time rock music. Great stuff. TM
Hazlett - Bones Shake
www.thisishazlett.com
Australian singer songwriter Hazlett returns with "Bones Shake" a slice of angst reflective americana with a definite emo edge. Released ahead of two support tours across Europe and a one off date with passenger, "Bones Shake" is the song of a man that's quite happy to be a self reflector, but who has now gained the confidence to put himself out there on record and live without changing who he is. Well worth your time. NK
The Gleeman - Better Day
thegleeman.co.uk
If you're looking for an antidote to a crap day, then maybe a shot of Gleeman is what you're looking for and it's a lot more wholesome than meths. With a new album "Something To Say" due in July, Gleeman want's to get it on the record that there are good times to be had out there and once music has given you the lift, you can see the world can be a happier place, enjoy. 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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