It's A Grower

Amanda St John - Where is the Man?

5/10

My first experience of Amanda St John was as the female vocal in what I guess was a 70s tribute act, certainly she was vocally very powerful...

It is with that, my only previous encounter with Amanda that I approach this debut 4 track EP, which before I'd heard a note I was impressed with how well the packaging was put together..

Under the guidance of Gareth Dunlop, who produced this,  Amanda delivers a cd that introduces a very different artist to the one I'd first seen... This is a set of songs driven by a Northern Ireland soul sound which carries Amanda powerful vocal well. she has a group of talented musicians supporting her who play out of their socks...

For me this EP took a bit of time Initially it didn't connect with me but the more I listen the underlying beauty started to show although maybe because I'm a man lyrically that connection still not there though I must admit I've found my self singing the chorus of Where Is the Man....

I think this EP shows there's potential, it's a decent start.. and I really do look forward to hearing more from Amanda and I definitely need to see her live.

Tracks

1. Where Is The Man?

2. Reach

3. You'll Never Change

4. Come Back To Me

Mark Reid

Eyeball Melting..... Apparently

Lazy Flies - Kill Your Darlings

9/10

hahaha I just love being surprised & discovering new local music and it's certainly out there by the bucketload.... This 5 track EP 'Kill Your Darlings' came with a few others for me to review, so far the others haven't got a look in... this is on constant repeat....

The other night I was chatting to some friends about this trio of brothers, who have seen them live the feedback included "their harmonies melted my eyeballs" to "they're a cross between Bowie & the Bee Gees"

Certainly one of the strengths in the overall sound is those 'to die for' harmonies... tighter than the proverbial ducks end bit. These are showcased spectacularly on the a-cappella lead of track Disco Tears, 54 seconds of vocal dexterity & beauty.

The Lazy Flies  blurb informs us they are influenced by Beck among others andI I certainly hear that in the music, the influence stretches to the fact that they named the band after a track of Beck's Mutation album... (Can you guess which one?) ;)

Listening to this debut, self recorded EP conjures up all sorts of stuff in my mind, I hear Beck, I hear early Bowie I even have this image of early Blackadder style wandering minstrels in my head. Yet despite all the influences & the sounds I hear, the Lazy Flies have produced something different, something timeless yet fresh & beautiful.

These songs are well put together all hung on the foundation of the acoustic guitar on which they have developed a sonic landscape. There's the floaty almost ethereal feel of Who Are You? Next up is my favourite, Tin Man a great wee singalong with some great horns... In fact I have been singing it to my 10 month old grandson.....

This is a beaut of an EP, full of wondrous sounds that make you feel that warm, gushy feeling of satisfaction, i love it...

I think I'll let the Lazy Flies sum it up for themselves....

Lazy Flies....delicately weaving vocal harmonies conjure a charming pop aesthetic..... they combine evocative melodies with a lyrical wit to create something wonderfully recognisable yet totally unique.

yea that sums it up nicely... 'something wonderfully recognisable yet totally unique.'

Find out more at www.lazyflies.co.uk

Tracks

1. Disco Tears

2. Who Are You?

3. Tin Man

4. This Van Is Empty

5. Fantasy Islands

Mark Reid

Mike Donaghy & Border Crossing - No One Can Hear Me

Mike Donaghy & Border Crossing - No.One Can Hear Me

8/10

You certainly do from time to time meet people in unusual places, I first met Mike in the back row of a church, we introduced ourselves & had a coffee though ot all on the same day..

Several years later here I am sitting on my sofa with the sounds of Mikes new cd with his band Border Crossing filling the room. No One Can Hear Me, a mammoth value for money 14 track cd, is the follow up the Mikes I Wish You Well debut offering.

It has to be said Mike Donaghy is a folk singer, but then again there's something for me that is universal about his sound. Mikes music has a broad appeal, people relate to these songs.

In April at a fundraising gig Mike was playing at I'm sure only myself &'one other had heard of Mike Donaghy... when he recently played the Black Box to launch this CD I was easily able to round up a group of 20 people from that charity gig to go who are now fans...He has that sort of drawing power

No One Can Hear Me is an album that to me seems to be filled with longing, it also has a sense of belonging, there are songs here that give you that warm feeling of hone but in the middle of all this we have the fun songs like He Drinks Whiskey a great wee folk stomper full of life and certainly gets the feet going about the alleged antics of a Border Crossing member & The Flood a comical story of trying to get to America.

The album kicks of with the almost latter day Springsteenesque sound of Peace Begins With Me a song I personally love...another particular favourite is what seems to be a bit if a different sound for Mike almost a delta blues with hint of folk feel to the title track.

The overall sound & feel of this album is grounded in what Mike does best, ballads. Although writing that just doesn't do it justice...

Mike is very ably backed by the wonderful musicians of Border Crossing whether its the dependable backbone of the bass, those beautiful whistles or the fiddle or an array of other instruments all blend beautiful with Mikes guitar to create one of my favourite cd of the year so far. Mike appears to be a very chilled, laid back sort of a guy an that certainly comes through on this release...

All in all Mike Donaghy & Border Crossing are worth checking out...

In fact you can do it here

https://www.facebook.com/bordercrossingband

Tracks

1. Peace Begins With Me

2. This Is Where I Call My Hone

3. No One Can Hear Me

4. Love Birds

5. Seven Seas

6. Walls For The Wind

7. He Drinks Whiskey

8. I Am Not Afraid

9. You Won't Be Around Hear Anymore

10. Look On And Cry

11. All In Your Hands

12. The Flood

13. Sun Will Rise

14. The Parting Glass

Mark Reid