JOHN EDGAR VOE; WESTERN NOTES; SUPERB

Martin Corrigan fronts folk/ alt country outfit: John Edgar Voe. They will be releasing a Four track EP titled Western Notes on June 24th, which gives a fine example of what is to come in the upcoming album, set to be released in early 2012. 

Their use of syncopation and asymmetrical rhythms with long and irregular melodies reflect the wide open geography of the American landscape, so it's a bit odd to find that they are from Fermanagh. 

There is wit and consternation and wonderful phrasing throughout. 'Highwayman' echoes Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire asserting that very important call-and-response format. While 'The Conscript' contains lyrics that make you want to listen to every word, in addition to every note, delivered in part dialogue and part song, it is one of my favourite tracks on the EP.

Overall, this EP will make a great addition to any Ipod or playlist collection. Corrigan has the uncanny ability to delve into the very soul of a song, he tells it as it is and delivers a song in an uncannily cool and austere manner, like that which only Cash could manifest. His voice is perfectly suited to the narrative style he has chosen for a good part of this project. He draws you into a story like few other people can. It's not surprising so, that here is another exceptionally good high quality act from the North of Ireland.

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LISTEN TO THE EP:
    

John Edgar Voe; essential Summer listening

Seeping Into Cinemas Music Video : Shoot Out

I just Love Love Love this guy: here's his new single and official music video:

The album launch takes place June 16th in Odessa, you'd be a crazy person NOT to go, its music to sooth the ears and enlighten the soul with an electronic twist which is utterly sublime>  http://www.facebook.com/seepingintocinemas

JP Ryan; an astute songwriter

DANCING WITH ANIMA: ALBUM REVIEW.

I was recently sent an album of JP Ryan's. I hadn't heard of him, and the album's title was not alluring, yet after a little hesitation I pressed play and was pleasantly surprised. After all it was raining outside, wind was strong and the fire was lit. So why not. While reading the PR notes I learnt that he has supported the likes of Rod Stewart to name but one. I began to think how many new acts get such a platform? I later learned that he has a good rep for his live shows, so if you are out an about be sure to check on his live dates over at http://www.jpryanmusic.com/JP_Ryan_/Tour.html

The album: JP Ryan's songs are enriched by a wonderfully warm, rich breathy vocal similar to that of the late Christie Hennessey and resonant of Tracy Chapman. The album Dancing with Anima, was released last year, to a quiet stir, obviously a slow burner, but yet it is filled with heart rendering ballads, that don't necessarily have a place on mainstream pop, but yet can seep into the crevices of modern folk and merit him with a modest bit of respect. Tracks of note include "Leave the radio on" & a lovely rendition of "Yesterday". All in all the album will not break record sales, but is a nice anecdote for a rainy day. "In my shoes" melody is like a toned down version of Limp Bizkit's version of behind  Blue eyes, and its annoying, very annoying.. Other than that, there is nothing offensive about this album, its safe and plays out with ease.

Too easy in fact, so much so that it may just get forgotten. Hopefully not as he is a fine songwriter and guitarist.

6/10

Henrietta Game: Black Ship

Henrietta Game: Black Ship

Henrietta Game; are a band of many qualities, so lets tick all the boxes here: they can compose elite songs that will knock many of their contemporaries out of the water like in the game battleships, they can all sing (the harmonies are astounding), they can all perform, they are each multi instrumentalists and they are each exquisitely good looking (in a medieval striking way). There is Cello, Guitar, Stomp, Violin, Glockenspiel, Drum, Piano and a vast array of lead and harmony Vocals. A merging of disparate musical influences that has resulted in something rather special indeed. It's almost like they are a distant cousin of Julie Feeney, as it has that same masterful touch and a mix of unique sinuous music composed to utmost masterful musicianship.

They have just finished recording their stunning debut Black Ship and are about to launch a new Single Sleep Then to what I believe will be a fast growing fan base. 

Impressively, Black Ship never over indulges, as some new bands tend to do on their debuts in a ply to overcompensate for something amiss, no, instead it expands and boasts a conundrum of epic soundscapes and its daring is only matched by its warmth and sublime textures.  It is worth noting that various members of the band are classically trained musicians, which adds a depth of sheer quality to their work. 

This album begs for the repeat button, and when it finishes you want to know why? and find yourself back in your seat in reality as it sucks you into its own world. In a good way. In a very good way.

check out their acoustic version of Black Ship performed live in The Ruby Session;

Seeping into absolute bliss

Very very rarely does one come across something unseen and unheard, especially in the age of technology, over hype and buzz words over saturating it, but when it happens that a little rock contains a sparkle to reveal it to be a hidden gem, ah when it happens its is majestic. 

Such a thing happened to me recently when in my dropbox came a gem of an album by Seeping Into Cinemas, a name I was unfamiliar with, but was instantly curious about. The album 100,000 times blends beautiful low-key delicate whispered vocals strewn together in a perfectly sublime manner; allowing each track to evolve into the next. 

The album is made up of of ten dreamy melodic haunting tracks that pays homage to a world full of broken hearted misanthropes and sad souls who dream of escape. Indeed it would be suffice to say that Barry O Briens work is reminiscent of the early soft acoustics of Smashing Pumpkins, Yo la Tengo and Low, as they have an allure that remains with you and lingers on - its melodic, its sublime, its special, absolutely worth giving it a listen and of course, spending a few quid on when the album comes out.

Check out  a track (Dour Hour)  from the album here: Note how cool O Brien and indeed his entire band are:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100501453370916

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‘Seeping Into Cinemas’  ‘100,000 times’ the debut album –
gets its Release date on: June 17th
go to the: Launch night June 16th Odessa, Dublin!

BROOKE FRASER; album FLAGS

Brooke Fraser releases her first UK & Irish album debut today : Flags. It is formed out of vivid tales of stories and characters with intro-centric tunes, a charm and a half and catchy as you can get hooks. Fraser draws inspiration from characters other than herself and opts for colorful storytelling on Flags. Its no wonder it is already up for numerous awards in her homeland of New Zealand where she is an eight times platinum selling phenomenon.

I think it will be Fraser’s capability at delivering soft lingering, lilting melodies that will give her a steady rise not to mention her diverse catalogue of charming songs on this album.

The New Zealand songstress self-produced the record with a sublime confidence that radiantly reflects and beams off the songs. Whats more apparent, is her exploration of different instruments and soundscapes.

Standout tracks include the opener Something in the water (Video below with has over 1.6 million views already!) with its instantaneous sing-a-long appeal, or the piano-backed Aqualung duet, “Who Are We Fooling,” the ‘every girl’ track and Canadian shout-out, “Betty” and beautifully sparse “Sailboats.”

Fraser’s urge to write this album came to her one night at California music festival, Coachella, so it’s only fitting that there be a song in its honor and recognition that you can envision she will play at festivals with the sun going down in the back drop to fans lazily swaying to her hypnotic and enchanting voice. All in all this album is beautifully written and sublimely produced with a personal touch that captures the inner beauty in this artists' music which is destined to propel her into relative stardom away from home.

Flags: Wood & Bone) 10/10

Check out Something in The Water; the lead single from the album here:
Flags (Wood & Bone)

ROBERT SARAZIN BLAKE> THE BELFAST SESSIONS

In 1997, Robert Sarazin Blake dropped out of college and hit the road. The folk music of his father’s house had combined with the DIY punk ethos of the day and produced his first batch of songs, Another Irrelevant Year. On the heels of Richard Manning, Billy Bragg, and Ani Difranco, Blake’s 18-year-old release is an early document of the folk-punk movement. On his first US tour, Blake played 30 shows around the US planting seeds as he developed touring, not as an economic model, but as a lifestyle. He hasn’t stopped. Ten full length albums into his career, he’s continued to write pulling from folk roots, his travels, his contemporaries, and the quiet spot in the back of his mind. The writing has evolved, mellowing with experience and expanding with reference, but the essence of the work has remained the same-strong narratives solidly built on the folk foundation and fully in the immediacy of the now. The touring and performing has become an art in itself. Performing 200 shows a year, Blake is a world class performer in a neighborhood venue.

With gigs across the USA, Europe, and most commonly Ireland. Hitch hiking his way throughout his first tour around the country, guitar on his back, playing bars, rooms, festivals and fields, Blake developed a deep appreciation for Irish Traditional folk music. This year sees the release of THE BELFAST SESSIONS LP. Recorded in Belfast and Bellingham over the course of 2 sessions, the album features trad maestros John and Tina McSherry and Francis Mc Ilduff. 

THE BELFAST SESSIONS

THE LP: Flourishing songs of the everyday, of love and of the weather against a backdrop of uillean pipes, bodhran and guitar, the album is a testament to this powerful songwriters capacity at the simple, yet poetic delivery of song. 

The album features his most accessible work to date, most noticeably; 'Waiting' and 'City Covered in Snow.' It's a folk/trad record, written and conceived in the two wettest towns this side of Glasgow, informed by his love of folk, trad and quality music.

On 29th April, Blake returns to Ireland again with this new record, 'Belfast Sessions.'on deadslackstring records. He's not sleeping on beaches, or parks anymore (well we hope not!) but he is bringing his distinctive style of folk music to bars, venues and rooms around the country.

Irish Tour dates: 


29th April - Cobblestone, Dublin 


30th April - House show, Kinsale, Cork 


1st May- Roadside Tavern, Lisdoonvarna 


2nd May - Limerick 


4th May - Roisin Dubh, Galway 


5th May - Auntie Annie's, Belfast 
6th May - Cavan 


7th May - McGirls Pub, Leitrim 


8th May - Furey's pub, Sligo

Links: 
www.sarazinblake.com