One can’t be anything other than astounded and impressed with the ingenuity, resourcefulness and, at times, sheer doggedness, determination and tenacity shown by our musical friends who have laboured, often under challenging circumstances, to do what they do best – ensuring an on-going supply of top-class music. Particularly pleasing for me has been the high ratio of excellent music coming from our female artists, which is hopefully reflected in my Top 10 FRUK-reviewed releases. Grateful thank to all of you, not just ‘The Top 10’, for providing so many illuminating lights during the recent dark times.
Where Does It Hurt – Katy Bennett
As an introduction to her work, this back catalogue collection showcases perfectly the subtle, powerful and oft-times moving work of an artist worthy of far greater recognition. Possessing a hauntingly beautiful voice, which is underpinned by first-rate musicianship and production, this on-line only release is testament to the resolve of an artist determined to succeed.
The third and final part of a trilogy exploring her Polish heritage, this somewhat stripped back excursion, whilst remaining autobiographical in focus, moves from the specifics of the Second World War to a wider palette of images and ruminations initially inspired by a dream sequence. At times powerful and dramatic, the soundscape is also tempered by moments of a gentle, beguiling atmospheric nature. A truly bold and innovative release, it remains totally immersive.
Over nine exquisitely crafted songs, the overriding theme of an exploration of the human brain, is consummately addressed, as one might expect from such a prolific and prodigious talent. There is still a place, however, for a stunningly poignant opening track, Collateral, written before the current pandemic, which eviscerates the power-hungry. Like Animals is another worthy addition to the canon of work from Charlie which confirms her as one of the world’s most articulate and cultivated singer-songwriters.
Rough And Rowdy Ways – Bob Dylan
To produce an album as deep and meaningful as Rough And Rowdy Ways six decades into your career is no mean achievement. That it should be painstakingly and achingly gorgeous to boot is almost unreal. That Dylan has to wait until reaching the age of 79 before claiming his first #1 single, Murder Most Foul, a 17 minute epic on the assassination of john F Kennedy, beggars belief. An all-enveloping and enthralling album, the quality of the lyrics is exceptional, as befits a Nobel Literature Prize winner. ‘I’m the first among equals, second to none‘ he attests, an assertion totally endorsed by this album.
No Place Like Tomorrow – Virginia Kettle
Taking time out from her duties with Merry Hell, this offering from Virginia, her first solo outing since joining the band, showcases the depth of her song-writing prowess. Whilst there are overt political tones present, in the main the album focuses on more parochial matters such as family life, love and relationships. Her ability to astutely observe and capture the dynamics and interactions within relationships is an acute one. No Place Like Tomorrow is a triumphant success and posts a clear message that Virginia Kettle should be taken seriously as an artist in her own right.
Emergency Lullabies – Merry Hell
That Merry Hell are one of the most compelling live bands of any genre, is now beyond dispute. Emergency Lullabies announces that their recorded work should also be viewed with the same reverence. In possession of a clutch of song-writers, all of whom are capable of creating songs of striking note, as is clearly heard here, they reach dizzy heights musically, heights to which others can only aspire. Addressing issues such as climate-change, the NHS and lockdown, the album, whilst thought-provoking in a non-preachy way, is one of unbridled verve and bonhomie. It is impossible not to thrill to this rousing collection of joy and optimism.
The Ledger – Findlay Napier & Gilliam Frame with Mike Vass
Listening, once more to this beautiful album on a dreary, dark December day, the assertion that its release would bring rays of sunshine, whatever the situation, still rings true. The result of an intriguing project, drawing on a ledger of folk music articles collated by Findlay Napier’s grandfather, this collection pays due deference to the past whilst being firmly of the present. The music on offer is of the highest quality and genuinely represents and epitomises a traditional folk song album at its very best.
To have observed, or more accurately listened to, the musical evolution that has taken place over the last 20 odd years in the Mali/Sahara/Toureg diaspora has been a revelation, and with Tamotaït, Tamikrest have pushed the boundaries even further. In a mélange of aural confection, the heady, hypnotic desert blues, redolent of Mali folk music and the Toureg, given world-wide exposure by the likes of Tinariwen, meld with European Led Zeppelin-esque guitar shapes and the sound of Japanese three-stringed shamisen and five-stringed tonkor to produce an inspirational album that truly is a three-way tamikrest, or junction, where West Africa meets both the East and West.
Trees 50th Anniversary Edition – Trees
Quite simply the finest vinyl re-issue of the year. For those of us possessing original scratched and clicking LPs, or wobbly, magnetised, incoherent cassette tapes this 4 LP release was a gift from on high. The excellence of their first release, and LP 1 here, The Garden Of Jane Trelawny, in itself a landmark album, is, for many over-shadowed by their second, On The Shore. Add into the box-set two more slabs of vinyl containing demos, BBC recordings and live recordings and remixes, and the result is an indispensable piece of musical history.
Sometimes, a debut album can just blow one away, such is its maturity, beauty and delight as a listening experience. Wreckless River is one such release. With a distinctive, crystal clear, pure voice Zoë Wren has produced an album of the highest quality, aided by some superb production values. The range and variety of musical styles, and references, ensure that the listener remains captivated. with this debut, she has already assured her place ‘above the salt’ on the table of the country’s young singer-songwriters.