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.
Pete Briley - Cracking The Flacks
www.petebriley.com
A second recent single from Pete Briley. This one has a more country/folk flavour than his previous one, Colour. It also seems to be autobiographical in nature. The pedal steel based instrumental coda that takes it up to the 5-minute mark is brave and successful. 2 great singles suggest his album is going to be equally good, a name to note for 2025. TM
Alannah Thornburgh - Chasing The Hare
www.alannahthornburgh.com
Harpist Alannah Thornburgh offers an instrumental that is inspired by the Celtic myth of shapeshifting hares. The found sounds of conversation in the first part of the tune are gradually replaced by a stronger backing with a brief flute flurry at the very end, while her own playing shifts through variations of the theme. Ambient music which can be allowed to drift behind you, but also repays concentrated listening. TM
Hannah White - Christmas Tree
www.hannahwhitemusic.com
A seasonal offering from one of our leading pop/folk singers. The theme here appears to be about the short life that most of these trees have, centre of attention for a few weeks and then discarded. “Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas tree, we thank you for your service.” Suitably festive sounding, but with a darker message in the background. TM
Littlemen - Fake News
littlemen.co.uk
Wilshire band Littlemen are an alternative rock band with hints of prog or even Americana about their makeup as the song demands. With guitars, old synths, drum loops and a willingness to tackle some thought-provoking subjects. Having seen them play recently they give a compelling live show so if they come to your town catch them.TM
Dark And Twisties - The Wild
www.facebook.com/DarkandTwistiesMusic
Beach Boys style close harmonies applied to Celtic folk is an interesting proposition, and this gently swinging tune is every bit as good as you’d hope. Sarah Birch, Kate Ronconi, Sarah Passmore, Danny Kilbride, and Huw Rees have voices which blend magically together. Alt-folk with a twist. TM
Morton Valance - Punch Drunk
www.mortonvalence.com
The subversive side of Morton Valence is well on show here with the police sirens wailing away in the background, a movie noir soundtrack and narration of a slightly sinister street scene. Ann Gilpin’s Marxophone (small zither with a keyboard) which she played on their recent live dates would have complemented this, but as one of the great hidden gems of our music scene Morton Valence never fail to deliver songs that rapidly enter your brain and refuse to leave. TM
Charlie Dore - The Man Who Built Christmas
www.charliedore.com
Long established singer songwriter Charlie Dore reflects on Christmas past when toys were made not bought. Ahead of a Christmas tour this is a delightful tune with a pastoral 60s feel and stream of consciousness lyrics which is a huge step ahead of many of the usual festive songs. TM
Katie Nicholas - You Kill Me
www.katienicholas.co.uk
Featuring Robert Vincent on what she calls a country-pop bop. The song is far more substantial than that implies, with more than a hint of those traditional country duets in the delivery. The song itself is a mix of the cynical and romantic. Weeping pedal steel and beautifully entwined voices make this a slate contender for Americana song of the year. TM
Polly Paulusma - Paper Cathedral
www.pollypaulusma.com
The first single from her forthcoming album Wildfires, due out in February. Having heard some of the songs from that debuted on her tour with Kathryn Williams last year and followed her recording process, including time spent in a cave, expectations were building for something exceptional. And that’s what we have. Guitar, Bass, and her unique voice over a song which is as much poetry to music as lyrics. Spoiler alert, Wildfires is quite astonishing, Album of the year for 2025 may already be decided. TM
RJ Archer & the Painful Memories - Out Of Line
www.facebook.com/RJArcherMusic
If The Rolling Stones were starting out as an Americana band, then they would sound like this. Hints of Black Crowes in a big bluesy, brash song which is as good as anything produced in the hard rock world in a long time. Planet Rock radio will love this. Its Keith Richards fills will have you pulling out the air guitar. TM
The Redhill Valleys - Ready To Roll
theredhillvalleys.com/js_albums/ready-to-roll
More musical nostalgia with Country Rock done like it sued to be with slide guitar, a powerful vocal and a punchy song. Just contemporary country enough not to sound dated, but with the traditional values of a great writing and performance. They say, “‘Ready to Roll’ is a swampy anthem for anyone stepping into the early stages of a new relationship. It speaks to recognizing your own worth and sending a clear message: if they want to be with you, they’d better be prepared to give it their all and keep up.” Not from the Surrey badlands as their name implies, but Ontario Canada. TM
Daisy Veacock - Boo!
www.instagram.com/daisyveacock
Another funky, breezy jazz soul inspired tune. “It was very much an ‘if I don’t laugh, I’ll cry’ situation. I wanted to write something empowering and strong-willed that voiced everything I was too shy to say out loud – turning something negative into a song I could make sense of and laugh about.” With her segment of the marketplace crowded with aspiring singer-songwriters it takes something special to standout, Daisy Veacock is that something. Good song writing and performance that doesn’t rely heavily on what’s fashionable, but that unusual thing, a great voice. TM
Anthony O'Neill - Waterloo Sunrise
andthemurder.com
Backed by his band, The Murder, this is a Christmas song unlike any other. His dark voice contrasts with the pedal steel and harmony voices to produce a song at once sinister and seasonal it takes a couple of listens to sink in. The end section with sleigh bells, and a choir of carol singers telling us “your smile is like Christmas morning” is wonderful. TM
Black Eyed Sons – Foolin’ Yourself
Black Eyed Sons
More Stones style rock, unsurprising when you learn that this features ex members of The Quireboys & Down N Outz. Harmonica and guitar threaten to tip into chaos at any second but stay the right side of the line. As a debut single this has a confidence and swagger born of knowing how to do this right. TM
Rhob Cunningham – Tyrant
www.rhobcunningham.com
With 10 albums behind him Rhob Cunningham knows how to write a song that stands out. With A Russian folk flavour to the music and an intricate lyric this comes from an EP called Shook Change. As the pace of the song builds the words take on a desperate edge, until the last line which releases the tension he has created with his story. Brilliant. TM
Dodge Brothers - Rock Island Line
dodgebrothers.co.uk
The Dodge Brothers feature in the Brian Epstein biopic playing the Lonnie Donegan tune. As one of the cornerstone songs of rock music, and as the closest thing we have to a genuine Skiffle group the Dodge Brothers are the right people to do this. Recorded in 1 take as it would have been in the 50s, the song has an energy and spark which is infectious. Watch the video as well to see the Cavern recreated. TM
Foxpalmer - That Way
Foxpalmer
Foxpalmer, based in London, blends rock, Indie, Americana and some folk, to create a sound that is very much her own. That Way encompasses all of these sounds, to tell a stirring story of an obsessive fantasy borne of unreciprocated feelings for someone. I wonder how many listeners will relate. Well worth a listen. HM
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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