The Unthanks in Winter, Corn Exchange, Cambridge, 19 December 2023

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Katherine Priddy opened the show with her warm and atmospheric songs infusing the wide spaces of the Corn Exchange, delivered by her gentle voice and empathetic guitar work. From ‘Wolf’ to ‘Letters from a Travelling Man’ to the mythical ‘Eurydice’, Katherine brought style and emotion to these subtle vignettes.

The Unthanks were previewing a seasonal suite that will eventually be recorded; an amalgam of classical and folk influences blended by the timeless harmonies of Rachel and Becky Unthank. This mostly continuous performance featured dreamlike renditions of traditional pieces such as ‘The Coventry Carol’ and ‘The Cherry Tree Carol’ interspersed with wintry instrumentals.

The band conjured up snowbound landscapes and distant comforting lights using an array of acoustic instruments and the fluid vocal line-up of this gifted ensemble. Ending with the haunting anthem ‘Tar Barrel In Dale’ and the valedictory ‘Dear Companions’ it was a show to linger long through the Christmas season.

http://www.the-unthanks.com

https://linktr.ee/katherinepriddy

Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Corn Exchange, Cambridge, 29 November 2023

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Seasonal songs, greatest hits and new tracks from latest album ‘HANA’ laced with brio and style by national treasure Sophie Ellis-Bextor was a show not to be missed. Opening act Holiday Sidewinder performed a set of summery electro-pop and managed to quickly reduce the echoing confines of the Corn Exchange to an intimate space with her confiding lyrics on tracks like ‘Leo’ and ‘Casino’.

It was a bit early in the year but Sophie and her band brought the Christmas spirit to a cold evening; ‘Last Christmas’, ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ and ‘Christmas Wrapping’ all featured but it was the mighty ‘Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love)’ and ‘Get Over You’ that showcased her pop delivery to the max. Covers of ‘Like a Prayer’ and ‘Yes Sir, I Can Boogie ignited the crowd and euro pop belter ‘Hypnotized’ was a real highlight for me.

‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ ended the main set but of course we wanted more – ‘All I Want For Christmas is You’ was followed by an acoustic rendition of the pensive ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ sung from one of the theatre boxes, a thoughtful and emotional end to a show that was a celebratory delight.

https://sophieellisbextor.net/

https://www.holidaysidewinder.com/

Chloe Mogg : The Crazy One, LP released September 2023

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The debut album from singer/songwriter/guitarist Chloe Mogg opens with the dark country blues of the title track ‘The Crazy One’, the noisy guitar duelling with Chloe’s bitter words. ‘Permission’ is another strong vocal performance with a great hook ‘…I don’t recall asking for your permission….I was in control all the time, wasn’t I?…’. ‘Bryony’ revels in an atmosphere of sinister nostalgia with an unusual rhythmic pattern while the compact pop of previously released single ‘Heaven Sent You’ revolves round a neat hook and another bold vocal.

‘Better Off’ has the changing dynamics of Chloe’s voice weaving around a stealthy guitar riff to great effect. ‘Understood’ is a key track on the LP, an extended musing pivoting around the anguish of the recurring phrase ‘…..Oh it must be love or something close…. ‘cause I’ve never understood….’ with the song being given plenty of time and space to immerse the listener. There are quieter moments; the acoustically driven ‘Cut Me Off’ and the reflective swirling waltz of ‘The Only One’ all add to the rich emotional depth and musical texture of this impressive debut.

https://www.facebook.com/chloemoggmusic/

emzae : All Those Things I Thought I Knew, LP released 1 Sept 2023

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A summation of her spellbinding single releases and with a temptation of new tracks, this long-player from singer/songwriter/musician emzae finally arrives.

Starting with the up-tempo ‘Overrated’ as a statement of intent then ‘As This Day Fades to Another’ is a punchy and sparse groove, while ‘Strip Lights’ is a mini-movie of alienation over a mellow flow of synthesiser and percussion. ‘Another Lesson Learnt’ shows how she can sustain and develop an idea over a longer time, with a lyric built around the central idea ‘…I want to belong… just like anyone….what do I have if i’m not rushing into the future?…’.

The lush and hypnotic atmosphere of ‘Lucid Dreaming’ takes the listener to another place, even if it is a bit unsettling ‘…going through the motions like I got this in control….balancing personas but I can’t restrict my soul…’ ‘I Guess, Anyway’ is the central track of the album; a rich six minutes of lyrical density and melodic elegance that fully immerses the listener in the swirling waltz, but the self narration of ‘Clairvoyant’ also cuts right to the core. ‘Extraordinary’ and ‘THRIVE’ increase the pace with sharp hook lines and concise pop sensibilities, as does the slinky beats and knowing words of ‘It’s All Cyclical’.

With her deeply personal lyrics and the subtle musical touches that infuse each song ‘All Those Things I Thought I Knew’ is an impressive collection from this electro-pop alchemist.

https://emzaemusic.com/

https://emzae.bandcamp.com/album/all-those-things-i-thought-i-knew

Soloman Smith : Y’dig That !, LP released 1 August 2023

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The new album from singer/songwriter Soloman Smith is full of jazzy and thoughtful tracks, laced with some acerbic social comment but always retaining the sanctity of the groove.

Opener ‘Analog’ bemoans the passing of simpler forms of communication ‘…only reel-to -reel feels real…’ in a dense lyric over a relaxed backing from his band. This is followed by the more insistent ‘System ain’t equal ain’t fair’ using examples from US politics and bringing in some spicy electric guitar from key collaborator Chris Newman. The lightness of touch of ‘Toulouse’ is a pleasure to listen to, with the travelogue lyric woven through with sparkling piano.

‘Nora’ is possibly my favourite on this LP; a simple ballad in waltz time, infused with introspective emotion. ‘The Devil and Mister Leech’ is an upbeat rendition of a macabre local folk tale, before the wistful piano ballad finale ‘The Crooner’s Elegy’.

With this mixture of styles and immersive lyrics along with warm playing and production there is plenty to enjoy on this fine collection of original songs.

solomansmith.com

Jo Ash, Commemoration Hall, Huntingdon, 13 July 2023

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The atrium of this historic building was the venue for an acoustic evening with singer/songwriter Jo Ash, accompanied by piano and with guitar on some songs from fellow Derecho band member Mike Wheatley. It was an opportunity to hear a full range of songs from her back catalogue, including new material and covers.

Starting with the moody spikes of ‘Drama Queen’ from her recently released album ‘Growing, Flying, Falling’, it was then the cosmic expanses of ‘4D Journey’, featuring one of her most memorable choruses. The atmosphere-drenched waltz of ‘Innocence’ discreetly steals the show in the first part of the evening along with Jo’s join up of Bowie’s Space Oddity and her own rather gorgeous ‘Otherworldly’.

‘The Painter’ was the bluesy opener to the second set, featuring a vocal rich with understated emotion as was a cover of The Beatles ‘Across The Universe’. Derecho song ‘Fear’ is a lyrically neat poprock track and the newly recorded electronica of ‘Run’ works well when played acoustically. The grand finale waltz of ‘Blue Heart’ soared up into the high octagonal roof of this attractive and intimate venue; it was a superb evening of compelling and mesmeric music from this very talented performer.

http://www.joashmusic.com

https://www.commhall.org/

Jen Dixon : Less Than A Feeling, EP released 30 June 2023

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A track by track review of the new EP from UK singer/songwriter and multi instrumentalist Jen Dixon…

1.Over You From a gentle introduction this develops into a big echoing ballad reflecting the big skies and ocean of the North East coast shown on the EP artwork.

2.What If Previously released as a strong single, the complex musical arrangement ebbs and flows underpinned by a drum pattern and an urgent guitar figure but it is the constant questions in the chorus lyrics ‘…what if this…what if that…’ that is the heart of the song.

3. Fighting In The Shadows Built around the title phrase this is another fine vocal performance and full-on band showcase, with a subtlety and grace to the quieter verses.

4. Number 13 With a rockier feel in contrast to the previous tracks, Jen delivers the vocal with emotional force edged with pensive regret. The chorus stays lodged in your head, ‘….you’re holding a smoking gun…’

5. Less Than A Feeling Probably my favourite on the EP, another guitar driven rocker with a belting vocal and a live sound; soaring and bristling with electric energy.

https://www.facebook.com/jendixonmusic

Panic Pocket: Mad Half Hour, LP released June 2023

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A new LP from Panic Pocket starts with the bold ‘Get Me’, a two chord fuzzy guitar riff underpinning an unsettling lyric, before the playfully acerbic ‘Still the Bad Guy’ restores the balance musically. Title track ‘Mad Half Hour’ has the catchiest chorus to lodge in your brain then big ballad ‘Say You’re Sorry’ features sweeping sixties vocal and instrumental flourishes which is all rather gorgeous and is my favourite song on the album.

The darkish heart of the collection is reached with stories that inhabit the melancholic minutiae of relationships in ‘Boyfriend’ (‘….I’m so glad you’re happy…but don’t swap every “I” for “we”….) and ‘Cheryl (Red Is The Bluest Colour)’ (‘…everyone else has a plan…comfort’s no substitute for romance…’).

This album is recorded as a four piece with a full sound but it is the vexed fun of older songs ‘Mr Big’ and ‘Don’t Get Me Started’ that bring bank the duo’s lo-lo-fi origins and as on all these tracks their knack for strong song writing continues to shine through.

https://www.facebook.com/panicpocket/

Jo Ash : Growing Flying Falling, LP released June 2023

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A new album release from singer/songwriter and keyboard player Jo Ash, a follow-up to her twin EPs Matinee/After Dark from the end of 2021. Jo’s sound has developed to produce her strongest collection so far, from the electronic dramas of opener ‘The Phoenix’ with its impressionistic lyrical touches (‘… scarlet wings beat against the grey….looking out to an untouched maze…’) to the elegant beauty of solo piano and voice on ‘The Painter’; probably my favourite track on the collection.

Her self-production skills lend extra textures to the pulsing ‘Under The Sky’ followed by the moody ‘Tidal Wave’ with its elaborate orchestration fully realised. The gorgeous distant echoing sound of ‘Anybody’s Fool’ is framed by cello and gentle piano and features a subtly catchy chorus. ‘Apparition’ shows Jo’s baroque storytelling side while ‘The Willow Tree’ is driven by a strong melody and a confiding vocal.

The final two tracks show possible future directions; the pounding electronic sequencer and synthetic drums of the brilliant ‘Run’ and the acoustic guitar drifting around Jo’s soulful voice in ‘Under The Giants’. This is an excellent collection, full of light, shade, musical commitment and strong song-writing.

http://www.joashmusic.com

Forthcoming 2023 live dates….

02 July Aquafest, Ely, United Kingdom

07 July Ely Folk Festival 2023, Ely, United Kingdom

13 July Acoustic Night with Jo Ash, The Commemoration Hall, Huntingdon, United Kingdom

03 August The Acoustic Club, Bishop’s Stortford, United Kingdom

R.J. Archer & The Painful Memories : Lay It Low, single released 9 June 2023

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A new single from Cambridge blues-rockers R.J. Archer & The Painful Memories, a follow up to their March release ‘I Can’t Lose You’ with both tracks featuring on the LP ‘Horseplay!‘ due in September this year. The earlier release was a taut, spiky blues shuffle, with the angst in the vocal working towards the strong hook of the title line.

This new companion piece ‘Lay It Low’ is mellower in pace and tone, with some neat harmonies in the vocals and the winning sound of a double lead guitar break. It is infused with the spirit of classic 70s country rock, at times melancholic and wistful but always musically interesting; effortlessly switching sections between verses, chorus and an unpredictable middle eight and showing how this band continues to progress and grow in confidence.

https://www.facebook.com/RJArcherMusic