A place where I'll review gigs, talk about the music I like and I'm listening to and perhaps some other music and non-music related subjects...Follow me on twitter http://www.twitter.com/mrrichmuk
Personal musical hero Jay Nash has FINALLY launched his 4-track ditty with the brilliant Caitlin Crosby under their quite clever Crosby, Skills and Nash ident. The EP which is available on iTunes now is simply incredible.
Their voices pair up perfectly, contrasting yet perfectly suited, on 4 reasonably simplistic songs. But that's the brilliance of it, no gimmicks or over-complications, just great arrangements and harmonies forming four totally incredible songs.
I need say no more, I think I've sold it enough. Go on, go buy it. You know you want to and I know you should!
Ok no this hasn't become some strange sex blog (although it'd probably get more views). Tonight you're going to get two blog posts...why, because I can!
First up, lets wind the clock back to the end of May and Greg Holden's launch gig at The Bedford in South London. Admittedly I was there to see Greg but actually (and it pains me to say it and he'll probably not thank me for saying it) it turned out that even his rounded performance was upstaged by the two acts that preceeded him.
First up was James MacKenzie and the Aquascene. Usually a Scottish 6 piece band, James travelled down with just a violinist but the two of them put on an incredible set. You all know I've got a thing for strings, there's something uniquely brilliant about a violin or cello accompanying a guitar.
There's some tracks here and if I were you I'd take a listen. They're still quite green as a band in many senses but you get the feeling there's a bag of talent which will only mature and get a lot better over the next year or so.
Next up and the real show stealer was Brighton-based Fellow Stranger a Folky/Rock band comprising former singer/songwriter Luke Sital Singh. These guys were a real showstopper. Incredibly emotive vocals (some of the best I've heard in years), brilliantly crafted songs, amazing 3-part harmonies and an array of instruments and sounds that combine to form a brilliant sound. There's nothing original about the band but yet they stand out...because they're that bloody good.
Even the girlfriend enjoyed the set so much that she bought a copy of the CD for herself...and one for me for my birthday. The CD is a 5-track live EP and it shows the band at their very best. I don't know if you can buy the CD or the EP online and quite frankly I'm not going to do all the work for you.
But...what I will do is give you the videos from the gig that night, I'd suggest you invest your time and watch the whole thing...you'll see where I'm coming from on both those recommendations. Make sure you watch both parts!
