Review: Jamie Webster's 10 For The People perfectly encapsulates the Liverpool singer-songwriter's heartfelt narratives and soulful melodies. Released in 2021, the album is a poignant exploration of working-class tales and social commentary, blending folk and rock influences. Known for his association with football culture, Webster's tracks like 'This Place' and 'Living for Yesterday' resonate with authenticity meaning that 10 For The People not only showcases the artist's lyrical prowess but also solidifies his place as a voice for the people. His album is a sincere and evocative musical offering that speaks to the experiences and struggles of us all.
Review: Toronto-to-LA starlet Elyse Weinberg's debut Elyse achieved only moderate success, reaching number 31 on the ole Billboard. Her second album, now reissued via Trading Places, was never officially released due to the collapse of Tetragrammaton Records, clinching the anticlimactic career of a genius (may we add that the highest heights worth climbing aren't the most visible). This lost album, arguably the most cohesive of her entire catalogue, sported a stellar lineup, with JD Souther on drums, Kenny Edwards on bass, and Nils Lofgren on guitar. Neil Young made a precious appearance on the standout track 'Houses', perhaps helping award the song its later covering by a seemingly never-ending daisy chain of contemporary folk-psych greats: Dinosaur Jr, Vetiver, Courtney Barnett. Weinberg's delivery is cuetsy, garrulous and gallant, touting herself a "good-time girl" in chirpy spirit spilt across ten ready-steady grooves.
Review: The tale of Weird Herald - a lost band of the 60s hailing from the South Bay of California - is one of talent, misfortune and mystery. They embodiy the essence of West Coast psychedelia and folk-rock, though they never got the recognition they deserved. Their lone official releaseia 45 with 'Saratoga James' and 'Just Yesterday'iwas just the tip of the iceberg. Their unreleased album from 1968, recorded before tragedy struck with the death of guitarist Billy Dean Andrus, features haunting folk-rock, spacey acoustics and electric jams that recall Moby Grape and Jefferson Airplane. With tracks like 'Untitled' and 'David of Bijou,' the band's mellow, harmonic side shines, while songs like 'Reapin' Seasons' show their harder edge. Their album was tragically shelved due to management issues, but reel-to-reel copies survived, and now, over 50 years later, they're finally available. With demos, outtakes, and bonus tracksiincluding rare 1967 basement recordingsithis release offers a fresh glimpse into the music behind the story.
Review: Gillian Welch and David Rawlings' latest album Woodland is a beacon to their enduring partnership and unwavering consistency. Named after their long-standing studio, which survived two tornadoes, the album reflects the duo's resilience and creativity. With a mix of lush yet sparse arrangements, the ten tracks are beautifully recorded by Rawlings, emphasising vocals and guitar. The songwriting is at its peak, with lyrics that resonate deeply, evoking a sense of both melancholy and warmth. Highlights include 'What We Had' and 'Lawman,' where their harmonies are so tight, they sound like siblings. Woodland is a meticulously crafted album that rewards careful listening with Welch and Rawlings at their best.
Review: Perhaps folk and country's most eminent power couple have a lot of clout, but that doesn't make them any less prone to disaster. After a tornado ploughing through Nashville wound up ravaging their studio in Spring 2020, the pair had to relocate their equipment to their own home, finding newfound, apt folky joy in the domestic. 'All The Good Times' is the sonic result; it's 10 cover versions for all to soak in, including John Prine ('Hello In There'), Bob Dylan ('Abandoned Love') and Norman Blake ('Ginseng Sullivan'). This reissue comes after the original limited handmade first pressings sold out in 2 days.
Review: Gillian Welch and David Rawlings' Woodland is their first album of original material together, blending the warmth of folk and the richness of country. After years apart from recording new songs, the duo reaffirms their connection, centering the album on their intertwined voices and delicate guitar interplay. Themes of love, loss, division and reconciliation are explored with tender care, weaving personal narratives with broader societal undercurrents. The album's sonic landscape expands beyond their usual acoustic guitar base. Tracks like 'What We Had' feature strings that complement Rawlings' high, Neil Young-like vocals, while pedal steel and slide guitar add emotional texture to songs such as 'The Day Mississippi Died' and 'North Country'. The arrangements are understated yet rich, enhancing the mood without overwhelming the subtle beauty of their storytelling. Lyrically, the duo draws from classic folk traditions, nodding to influences like Guy Clark and Bob Dylan, while addressing contemporary issues with timeless resonance. Songs such as 'Hashtag' blend humor with reflections on modern life, while 'Empty Trainload of Sky' and 'Lawman' evoke vivid imagery of life's fragility and the persistence of hope. Welch and Rawlings' ability to craft intimate, poignant songs that feel timeless, rooted in tradition yet alive to the present. It's an album that rewards close listening, as each layer reveals deeper emotional truths.
Review: This much sought-after treasure was originally a private press release back in 1981 but it has been remastered as a special drop for Record Store Day 2024. It is a sublime album of blue-eyed soul with overtones of country and Americana that make it all the more evocative and escapist. The songwriting is reflective, the musicianship is tight, the melodies impressive and the vocals effortlessly captivating. The NuNorthern Soul label has been serving up these sorts of nuggets and obscurities for over a decade now but this is right up there with the best of them.
Review: Paul Weller's Fly On The Wall reissue is a fantastic compilation for fans, now available as a 3LP vinyl set. This collection, originally released in 2003, gathers B-sides, remixes, and rare tracks from Weller's prolific period between 1991 and 2001 with Go! Discs and Island Records. The album includes gems like the demo of 'Into Tomorrow,' the reflective 'The Loved,' and the title track 'Fly On The Wall.' Notable highlights are the Portishead remix of 'Wildwood' and the 'Lynch Mob Bonus Beats Remix' of 'Kosmos,' showing Weller's versatility and willingness to experiment. The covers, including The Beatles' 'Sexy Sadie' and John Lennon's 'Instant Karma,' add a delightful twist, displaying Weller's ability to reinterpret classics with his unique flair. This reissue is a comprehensive and richly varied package that highlights Weller's range and creativity during a dynamic decade of his career.
Review: Paul Weller's upcoming album 66 promises to be a great addition to his discography. With contributions from guest musicians like Dr Robert, Richard Hawley, and Noel Gallagher, and lyrical input from the likes of Suggs and Bobby Gillespie, the album is rich in collaborative spirit. The preview of 'Soul Wandering' hints at a soulful and introspective journey, setting the stage for what's to come. The inclusion of string arrangements by Hannah Peel adds depth and texture to the sound. This double CD set packaged in deluxe hardcover book format, comes with four extra tracks on the second disc. Weller's continued evolution as an artist is evident in this highly anticipated release.
Review: To mark his 66th birthday, mod legend Paul Weller returns with 66, his 17th full length solo album and one that arrives on Polydor to great fanfare. In the vast expanse of contemporary music, Weller stands as an icon of enduring influence and innovation, boasting a recording career spanning from 1977 to the release of this latest album. With a steadfast dedication to pushing artistic boundaries while honouring his roots, Weller's latest offering promises a captivating journey through his musical evolution and it reflects on life's myriad facets, from spirituality to changing circumstances, with a positive outlook tempered by wisdom gained from lived experiences. Collaborations with esteemed artists enrich the album, offering a fully-realized celebration of creative synergy.
Review: Paul Weller has a new 12 song album simply called 66. The former lead singer of The Jam and Style Council brings his soulful voice to album that has a slew of interesting guest artists, with contributions from Suggs, Noel Gallagher and Bobby Gillespie to name just a few. The lead single will be 'Rise Up Singing', which immediately transports to us a carefree 60s sound, 'Soul Wandering' is a powerful rock track where Paul really shines and is one of our favourites here. The modfather is back.
Review: Jules Buckley can do absolutely no wrong in our eyes. The conductor responsible for leading the globally revered Heritage Orchestra has made a name for himself experimenting with the limits and limitless potential of classical music, taking influences from the world of dance and club tunes to open up orchestral performances to new demographics and generations.
He also has the honour of heading up the BBC Symphony Orchestra at select performances, another of the world's finest ensembles. This is just one recording from one of those shows, but clearly proves there's genius at work. The same could be said for Paul Weller, the iconic UK guitarist and singer who here invites said players to rethink tracks from his back catalogue for a staggering 75-minute set that elevates the rocker's oeuvre to greater heights than ever before.
Review: Singing siblings from Millbrae, California, a suburb of swinging San Francisco, the Flower sisters - their actual surname - released one full length album, Genesis, in 1969, at the tail end of a decade that had transformed youth culture and society as a whole. The sound could not have been more apt, a combination of floaty surrealism, delicate pop, and floral grooves (whatever that means). Aside from a couple of other appearances - background vocals on two Cal Tjader albums, and Wendy's work on Jane Weaver's Fallen By The Watchbird LP - they vanished into the ether from which they came, only celebrated by artists who have looked to recreate and represent their work, most notably Super Furry Animals with 'By The Sea'. Diving into the quiet, calm, soothing and emotionally nourishing originals here is proof of why those who remember are still in love with what they heard.
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