CD Reviews - Music2Your Ears

Grapevine recommends

some new releases

by East Anglian-based

bands and musicians

THE ONION BAND – STRAIGHT UP LOVELY

One of East Anglia’s most popular folk acts release their eagerly awaited second album. It’s been a good five year since their first offering, Show Us Yer Kipper, was served up. This one is a live set comprising recordings made towards the end of 2011 at three local pubs – The Swan in Worlingworth, The Half Butt Inn, Great Horkesley and The Cock in Hadleigh. The trio point out that there are no artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives and absolutely no overdubs. They do point out though that the album does contain traces of nuts! A great selection of traditional music played with a vitality that belies their mature years. This lot know their onions. Check out www.onionband.com

Tracks : Dirty Old Town/Dennington Bell + Oh Joe The Boat’s Going  Over/The Leaving Of Liverpool/Suffolk Valita + Waltz Vienna/Whiskey In The Jar/Bottom Of The Punchbowl + Maggie In The Wood/Hell’s Angels/Westering Home/Fiddler’s Green/Haste To The Wedding + Dingle Regatta/The Fireship/Gallant Hussar + General Monck’s March/High Germany/Seven Drunken Nights/Maggie

Musicians : Tony O’Neill, Pug Rayner and Nick Andrews

RON SAYER  JR – BETTER SIDE

Ron is regarded as one of Norfolk’s finest guitarists whose music is a mix of many styles (funk, rock, country, blues, jazz etc). This CD was recorded, mixed and mastered at Tides Reach Studios in Lowestoft with Lee Jacobs handling production duties with Ron himself. All but two of the tracks are Ron Sayer Jr originals. First and foremost Ron is a six-string guitarist but he’s also a very capable bassist playing in his good friend Oli Brown’s band during the second half of 2011. More details about Ron’s music can be found at www.ronsayer.co.uk 

Tracks : Bad Thing/I Ain’t Leaving/Don’t Make Me Stay/Manana/Right All The Time/You Can Cry/Piece Of Me/Your Pleasure, My Pain/My Mother In Law/Little White Lines/What Would You Do?/Baby Blue

Musicians : Ron Sayer Jr, Charlotte Joyce, Andy “Mojo” Robinson, Clive H Jones and Paul Wooden

STU E. SKINNER – ONCE

With years of experience as a guitarist and songwriter in numerous Essex based original rock/metal outfits, Stu E Skinner is now venturing into the acoustic realm. His distinctive voice, personalised guitar style and intimately honest lyrics combine to create a unique blend of lyrically driven acoustic rock. What originally started as a solo project has now evolved into a four piece acoustic band. With the emphasis still very much on the songs, live the band produce an eclectic acoustic rock mix infused with worldly flavours ranging from Celtic, eastern, classical, folk, blues, jazz and even Hip Hop. This album was recorded at Pig Stye Studios in Colchester with some additional work done at Colchester’s Pioneer Studios.  The inlay comes complete with all the lyrics. Check out www.stueskinner.co.uk

Tracks : Turn Me Round (lost and found)/Sorry/Lay You Down/Once/Sometimes/Only One/Beauty In Slumber/Waking Fears/Whatever Happened/Until The Morning Comes/Life On Rent/For Want Of A Better Name/Only One (piano version)

Musicians : Stu E Skinner, Paul Steven Wood, Dan De Sousa, Kelly Jones, Jean-Pau De-Havilland and Simon Woods

THE  B GOODES – THE B GOODES

Ipswich-based The B. Goodes were formed by John Brett & Phil Jackson in late 2008 and by the following summer they’d be joined by Jay Goodrich & John Randall (formerly of Rosalita), with a shared view to write and perform original music taking influence from the 50's, 60's & 70's. The sound which came out was a mixture of beat, surf, soul and rock 'n' roll. The B. Goodes are an energetic and dynamic live act with the emphasis very much on having fun. This cracking album was recorded at Springvale in Ipswich and mixed and mastered at Gemini in Ipswich. All the songs are originals. Go to www.bgoodes.com

Tracks : Will I Remember In The Morning/Feel Alright/Book About The Beatles/Sherry Beatty/Pigeon Kisses/I’m A Man/Lost And Lonely/Too Late To Cry/Not In The Room/If This Is It/Sleep So Soundly/Never Forget You

Line-up : John Brett, Phil Jackson, Jay Goodrich and John Randall 

OLI BROWN – HERE I AM

Here I Am is the sound of an artist on the crest of a wave. When Norfolk-based Oli hit the studio after a triumphant 2011, he had the plaudits of fans, press and peers ringing in his ears, a stack of trophies and a weight of expectation. Most 22-year-olds would have felt pressure, but with his dream team around him – drummer/producer Wayne Proctor and bassist Scott Barnes – Oli chased down 12 classic songs to hand over to Magic Garden Mastering’s Brian Lucey (fresh from The Black Keys’ El Camino album). So where do you go when you’ve hit the top? The answer for Oli Brown is back on the road, as he supports the April release of Here I Am with a major UK headline tour which includes dates in Diss and Bury St Edmunds. Check out www.olibrownband.com

Tracks :  Here I Am/Thinking About Her/Manic Bloom/All We Had To Give/You Can Only Blame Yourself/Start It Again/Devil In Me/I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know/Remedy/Mr Wilson/Like A Feather/Solid Ground

Musicians : Oli Brown, Scott Barnes, Wayne Proctor and Joel White with guests Dani Wilde and Paul Jones

ALEX HIGHTON – WOODDITTON WIVES CLUB

A Liverpudlian singer-songwriter who now lives with his wife and two young children in the village of Woodditton on the Suffolk/Cambridgeshire border. Many of the songs which appear on this excellent album were originally recorded in his garage. Encouraged by the response from fans and critics alike Alex decided to re-record the tracks along with some new ones and here’s the finished product. The CD was recorded at Press Play Studios in Bermondsey, London and was co-produced by Alex and percussionist Andy Ramsay. There’s not a duff track on the album and this collection of songs is unlikely to be bettered by anyone, anywhere this year. It restores your faith in the art of pop music. Alex’s website is www.alexhighton.com

Tracks : You’ve Got The Trees/On The Corner/I Left The City/You Left Me In No Doubt/Stupid/I Just Found Out Today/Hip With The Kids/Song For Someone/Village Life/The Great Divide/Sweet Taste Of Defeat/hat Will You Do When They Break Your Heart Again/Little Rocks

Musicians : Alex Highton, Jonny Bridgwood, Howard Monk, Elspeth Cowley, Joe Walters, Steve Russell and Andy Ramsay

DEPTH - WAITING FOR THE WAVES

"All in all, it is a very good EP. A lot of post hardcore can be almost identical but Depth do a good job at giving each song its own individual feel. On top of that the lyrics are great and take a step away from some of your usual post hardcore. I would certainly recommend getting it as it is definitely a good listen. To me it feels like it's certainly going to be a good follow up to their debut album."

Go to the Depth article and read the full CD Review from Stephen Remblance

http://www.grapevinelive.co.uk/News/DEPTH---Review-of-The-Waterfront-EP-release 

AINSLIE’S VIBES – STANDING TEN FEET TALL (AND RAGING LIKE A BULL)

After years of being a highly respected guitar player with the likes of Swagger and Groove Doctors Suffolk-based Tim has finally stepped up to the mark and is now fronting his own band Ainslie’s Vibes. Tim approached two lifelong friends and musicians who jumped at the chance to be involved in a new original project.  The trio gelled straight away with each member contributing personality and creativity into the mix.  Ainslie’s Vibes debut cd, The People Have Spoken was released and the band went on to record a session and a gig for BBC Radio Suffolk.  Having now revisited Roger Cotton’s Roundel Studios in Kent, Ainslie’s Vibes all original new album Standing Ten Feet Tall (and Raging Like a Bull) was launched at Ipswich’s Steamboat tavern last month. Go to www.timainslie.co.uk

Tracks : The Might Of The Mighty/Tell Me Straight/Long Way From Home/Tim’s Crones/If Only/Blue Eyes/Mid-Life Crisis Blues/Divine Intervention/Kissy Kissy (Slap Slap)/Standing Ten Feet Tall And Raging Like A Bull

Musicians : Tim Ainslie (guitar and lead vocals), Alex Best (drums) and Roy Little (bass) with guest Hammond organ player Roger Cotton.

THE PROPOSITION - KING SNAKE DEVIL SHAKE

Some of the most exciting discoveries in ‘pop’ of recent years have come from the rootsier end of the spectrum. Acts like Seasick Steve and Fisherman’s Friends proved that authentic content and unfussy presentation can have broad appeal. And both acts proved that grizzled features are no barrier to success. The Proposition’s debut album King Snake, Devil Shake is another reminder that no amount of processed pop can beat stirringly memorable songs and charismatic performance, by artists who have ‘lived a life’. It’s in the life-lived authenticity of The Proposition themselves that the magic of King Snake, Devil Shake lies. Because The Proposition write and sing from a compellingly honest adult perspective.

King Snake, Devil Shake is full of youthful energy and musical vim (as are The Proposition’s thrilling live performances). But the album’s lyrical themes are those of men who have themselves raised families to adulthood and who have battled as only 50-somethings can have done with love, faith, money, regret, death, and in all the other messy arenas of the human condition. The album was co-produced, engineered and mixed by Nick Brine at Rockfield, Monmouth and Leeders Farm, Norfolk. Check out www.thepropostionband.com

Tracks : (Welcome To The) Promised Land/Mr Foolish/Nobody’s Fool/Lover’s Leap/Picture My Heart/Resurrection Day/Levon/Summer Lightning/High Trapeze/Europa (I Still Love You)/24th & Vicksburg/Don’t Let Me In/People Are Cruel

Line-up : Steve Clark, Nigel Orme and Simon Middleton

SURFQUAKE - SURF AND DESTROY

Essex group’s Surfquake are a surf-guitar band, aiming to deliver the kind of driving, rock ‘n’ roll rhythms, made famous by the likes of Dick Dale, The Ventures, The Chandelles, The Trashmen & many others, whilst adding a little extra raunch of their own to the proceedings. Hailing from Colchester (admittedly, a town not known for its “gnarly waves”), this dynamic trio not only keep the surf-guitar tradition alive but drag it kicking & screaming into the modern days with a 2012 approach that will leave you throwing S-turns & verticals in your living room before you can say, WIPE OUT! Surfquake perform classics from the halcyon days of surf-guitar, as well as self- penned tunes that sit neatly amongst them. So wax up your boards, & ride the rockin’ & rollin’ waves with Surfquake. A visit to www.surfquake.co.uk is highly recommended. 

Tracks : Kool Kat Beasty/Joe 90/Stink Eye/Miserlou/Meatball Flag Blues/Surf And Destroy/Mustang 10/War Of The Satellites/Tah Soo Fa La Lahs/The Munsters Theme/St Saens Siren/Spy-C/Pipeline And Penetration/Squad Car

Line-up : Swell (Nelson), Noserider (Nick), the Dune (Dan) and Hannah Lulu (Ophelia) with guest trumpet from Toby Bull

DOVE AND BOWEEVIL – GETTING SOMEWHERE

Dove and BoweeviL are noted as the best acoustic blues duos in East Anglia fronted by Lauren Dove and Mark Howes on acoustic and Dobro guitar. Some could easily argue that Norfolk is England's answer to the Delta where rivers and skies stretch as far as the eye can see. It is those vast and lonely landscapes that have influenced the earthy sound of Mark 'Boweevil' Howes and the soaring tones of Lauren Dove.
When listening to Dove and Boweevil you hear echoes of such artists as Eric Bibb, Susan Tedeschi, Howling Wolf and Son House.  There is smoky soul within this angelic voice well complimented by Mark Howes with rasping authenticity. Their debut album ‘Getting Somewhere’ captures the barren wilderness of Norfolk with the spirited energy of a southern saloon and the  uplifting calmness of a gospel ballad.

Tracks : Bourbon Street/Listen Up/Send Me Over/Getting Somewhere/Where Would You Be Now?/Thank You/Sky Is Crying/Lady Lavoo/Vague Man/Sun Goes Down.

Musicians : Lauren Dove and Mark Howes with gests Simon Brown and Giles King

ORIOLE EXPRESS – ORIOLE EXPRESS

New Orleans is known, among other things as 'piano town', with a fine tradition of piano players within a band situation accompanied by other great musicians, ie, Huey Piano Smith, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jonnie Johnson [of Chuck Berry Fame] to name a few. In Southend back in the late 60's, The Orioles with Mickey Jupp on piano and vocals and Mo Witham on guitar primarily creating the melodies, managed to inadvertently emulate the music of that great Louisiana town in a little corner of Essex. Other bands tried to re-create this music, but no-one could, locally or nationally Sadly, The Orioles eventually disbanded, but Mick and Mo went on to greater things. Mick with his songs, and Mo with his great guitar work. For a long time, John Potter has nurtured the idea of recording an album, and possibly a band, in this style, a true mixture of rock'n'roll, country and flashes of blues and Cajun. This is the finished product and is available via www.johnpotter-pno.com

Tracks : Mail Train/High Blood Pressure/Jambalaya/Standing At The Crossroads/I’m a Fool To Care/Don’t You Just Know It/Matchbox/You Are My Sunshine/You Win Again/Little Queenie/Long Gone

Musicians : John Potter, Gypie Mayo, Vic Collins, John Bobin, Bill Legend, Dennis Masterton, Mike Liggins and Mo Witham   

THE FUTURE KINGS OF ENGLAND – WHO IS THIS WHO IS COMING?

Ipswich-based The Future Kings of England’s 4th album is based on the fantastically creepy short story ‘Oh, Whistle and I’ll Come to You my Lad’ by M.R. James. It was written in 1904 and is regarded a classic of its genre. In the tale a professor digs up a bronze whistle in a Templer ruin near Burnstow, a fictionalised version of the town of Felixstowe in Suffolk. When he blows into the whistle he unleashes an ancient evil that his sceptical mind has a hard time to deal with. You could say this album forms the final part of a trilogy starting with their second album ‘The Fate of Old Mother Orvis’ and their third ‘The Viewing Point’ concerning Suffolk both in its wonderful landscape and folklore. But we hasten to add it was not intentional! The album title is ‘Who is This Who is Coming?’ which comes from the inscription on the found whistle - it’s in Latin, ‘Quis Est Iste Qui Uenit’ which translates into ‘Who is This Who is Coming? The title is in fact one long piece of continuous music with interludes and sound effects. It is broken down into various parts and follows the original story. The album is released by Steve Mann’s Backwater Records on Monday, February 13. Check out www.thefuturekingsofengland.com

Tracks :  Journey To The Coast/ The Globe Inn/ The Whistle/Watcher Part /Who is This Who is Coming?/Disbeliever/ Watcher Part 2/A Face Of Crumpled Linen/The Spectacle of a Scarecrow

Line-up : Ian Fitch, Simon Green, Steve Mann and Karl Mallett