OK, so I nearly consigned this 5-track CD to the “don’t bother” pile. Perhaps I should explain…I hate half-cocked albums with only a few tracks and, for some reason becoming ever more popular with ‘folk’ artists. A lot of my mates, myself included feel cheated and after all, if you’ve only got half an album then why bother? Still, now that I’ve got that off my chest I’m pleased to report that this is a really nice recording. The reason I played it in the first place was to hear the dulcet tones and technically flawless guitar from the always excellent Steve Tilston. That he is joined by the equally impressive ‘country-ish’ sound of The Durbervilles; Lee Walker (12-string guitar), David Crickmore (banjo, mandolin & electric guitar), Mark Boyce (drums), Gus Taylor (accordion) and Ruth Wilde (double bass and bass guitar) with nearly all members contributing vocals really create an impressive wall of sound. Read more…
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Hailing from the West Midlands, Kim Lowings evokes the bohemian spirit reminiscent of the singer-songwriter movement that flourished so colourfully during the late 60s and early 70s. Lowings is however anything but a pastiche, resolutely stamping her own identity on her work. Singing with a voice that boasts a warm femininity, and avoiding the weary, self-indulgent cliches worn by many songwriters, it’s a hard heart who wouldn’t be smitten with Lowings’ engaging and often breezy disposition.
Lowings’ dulcimer features heavily throughout this EP, lending a distinct sound, and adding much to the carefree spirit that blossoms so radiantly. Opening track, “Did You Ever,” transports the listener to a sanguine dreamscape, contrasting the playful innocence of childhood with the more troubled aspects of adult life. Lowings demonstrates a restless character and possibly a good deal of ambition on “Sapphire,” where she seems to eschew the familiarity of her hometown in search of fresh life experiences that carry her to distant shores. Read more…
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The Salt Flats are proud to announce the release of their second EP, which is out now. A collection of four beautifully crafted Fleetwood Mac songs pieced together with vocal harmonies to die for. The Salt Flats say; “When we started to think about songs for a new EP, some more unusual candidates started to appear on the shortlist. So whilst recording some demos we thought it could be interesting to work on several by the same artist, trying slightly different approaches with each song. We’d already tried a Fleetwood Mac song, originally sung by Lindsey Buckingham, Read more…
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Following two full-length albums, Kate’s new EP features three songs: delicate pastoral acoustic gems which embody her closeness to nature and her home in Wales.
Kate herself plays flute, beautifully used on ‘The Dunes’ with its traditional-sounding chorus, and is joined by Marie Smith on cello and Daniel Wilkins on guitar and kora. Daniel imitates the harp perfectly on the title track, a perfect example of transporting an instrument from one culture to another. In passing, do Greeks still play the bouzouki, I wonder? Read more…
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