EP Review - Dusk - Mitchell Kersley

 

Mitchell Kersley has burst into our consciousness recently with his debut release Howlin’ at the Moon and the follow up I Only Cry When I’m Drinking.  We were mesmerised by the imagery in the songs and even the artwork, and Mitchell’s Outlaw Country style and we were keen to hear the finished EP Dusk

The title track of the EP opens with quite an unusual guitar sound followed by a slow measured vocal.  With a feel of a Celtic folk song, made more Country with the pedal steel demonstrating how Mitchell will embrace and combine styles to give his own sound.  The melancholy feel of this tale of love turned sour perhaps sets the tone for this EP – a collection of ballads rather than a party album!  In the true Country style though, it appears that Whiskey is helping him come to terms with the love he took for granted.

Seventeen is just Mitchell and his acoustic guitar. It is a song of wistful reminiscence, thinking back to better times, but transported there by the love that you still have.  The relationship that he sings about may not be perfect, but he acknowledges in his heart that it is all part of the whole, going back to those younger days at 17 when the love was fresh – first beer, first time hearing Elvis, first car.  It is one man singing of one man’s memories, although the subtle layered vocals toward the end of the track add an extra depth, and you can almost hear the emotion in the way he is playing his six string

Just the title of The Ballad of Joseph Murphy gives you a clue as to how the song will go – and of that wasn’t enough of a hint the menacing opening, clank of spurs in the footsteps, cawing of crows and a gunshot before the heavy drumbeat and strident electric guitar sure set the scene! In comes the half sung, half spoken gruff vocals.  It’s a frontier town, a spit and sawdust saloon and a story wanting to be told.  Living a life one step ahead of the law and one step ahead of a noose Joseph Murphy is perhaps the personification of Mitchell’s Outlaw Country roots.

The whole EP has a certain tone, and is a showcase of the writing and performance talents of Mitchell – for sure a storyteller, for sure an outlaw looking to make his mark on the scene. 

We’ll be keeping a close eye on you Mitchell!

Dusk - the new EP from Mitchell Kersley -  is available now to download and stream on all major platforms

Find and follow Mitchell on Facebook, Instagram, his website and on Spotify

Single Review - Songs Nothing Ever Happens - Donna Marie Songs

 

You have to be of a certain age to remember the original of Nothing Ever Happens, which Donna Marie has covered for her latest release.  First recorded in 1989 by Del Amitri it contains all the storytelling quality that we expect from a country song, but Donna Marie has recorded it in her own style.  It is a tale that is as relevant in 2020 as it was at the end of the eighties, with the image of a boring, rundown town being quite recognisable – although for different reasons this time round. The streets are deserted now because of Tier 3, we go home at 5 o’clock because hospitality is closed – and “Angry from Manchester” could well be a Northern Mayor! 

Was the original song a chillingly accurate prediction?

Well, we know why “nothing ever happens” in 2020, we can only wonder about the reasons in 1989.  Perhaps just a jaded view of a dull town!

Cover versions are often frowned on by purists - and they aren’t easy to review! – but Donna Marie believes that:

We learn our craft by listening to other musicians and bands and it influences our own style

So what of Donna Marie’s version of the song? How does it compare to the original?  To start with – don’t compare!  Donna Marie has slowed it down, and with the guitar picking it really picks out the emotion of the lyrics.  The song is brightened by a fascinating background vocal and layered voices.  Although the general feel of the song is downbeat, Donna Marie keeps a level of hope – although the world isn’t great, we are still surviving and coping, there is a feeling of it won’t be forever- we may well be “lonely tonight and lonely tomorrow” but there is still just a glimmer of light on the horizon.

With this cover version, Donna Marie is showcasing her ability to interpret and perform an old song, giving it a twist and fabulous production.

Whether you remember the original or not isn’t important, this song is worth listening to.  It may be bleak just now, but there is something to look forward to.  As Donna Marie says 

I cannot gig but I can make music and release it on my terms

“The needle returns to the start of the song and we all sing along like before.”  Not so for Donna Marie!

Nothing Ever Happens, the new single from Donna Marie Songs is available on all major platforms from Friday

Find and follow Donna Marie on Facebook, Instagram, her website and on Spotify

 

 

Single Review - Christmas Without You - Gareth Heesom

 

Gareth gave Silverball Country an advance listen to his new single – Christmas Without You - which is a good old country love song all wrapped up in a big bow for Christmas.

The swing beat transports us to the winter ball in the arms of a loved one, it’s all those cheesy movies we have watched where the lover against all odds makes its home in time for Christmas.

The instruments complement Gareth's voice, the female backing vocal brings a smoother touch to the song, balancing against Gareth’s gruff sound.

Despite the lyrics, it’s not a sad song and it should have you up and dancing, albeit the last slow dance of the night.

The songs tells of how that special person makes it all the more special, lights are brighter, the fire is warmer. Forget Santa and all those Christmas wishes, the one thing that you really want for Christmas is that special someone.

With this title, and the words of the song we can only hope Gareth isn’t accurately predicting Christmas 2020…

Either way I’ll be playing this song, glass in hand and swaying along but preferably snuggled close to that special person.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Without You, the new single from Gareth Heesom, is available to download and stream from Friday.

Find and follow Gareth on Facebook, Instagram, his website and on Spotify

 

 

 

 

 

 

Single Review - Love Me Like The Movies - Vicki Manser

With her new single Love Me Like The Movies Vicki Manser discusses many of the scenes of love that we have all seen and grown up with – kissing in the rain, running into each other’s arms, riding into the sunset and happy ever after, all the things that Movies tell us are what love is all about.  If you don’t have these things do you have love?  Well – yes, because

This is real life and we got real love

Its quite a lovely take on all those cliches that we might find ourselves striving for (although fellas – she may well want that movie style love!)

The gentle piano and steel with the repetitive light drums give a country feel to the melody of the track, while Vicki’s almost whispered voice veers to pop country. Vicki’s stage background means that she can adapt to many styles, although Country is her chosen favourite and you can hear that influence in both her performance and writing, albeit with hints of other genres.

With her releases Vicki is quietly making her mark on the UK Country scene, and a return to live performances may give us the opportunity to experience her full range, which is something to look forward to.

As the song says

Happy ever after only means our story’s done

Vicky’s story is far from done!

Love Me Like The Movies, the new single from Vicki Manser, is available on all major platforms from today.

Find and follow Vicki on Facebook her website, Instagram , Spotify and probably at the movies!

Single Review - Telephone - Jade Helliwell

 

Jade Helliwell is releasing a new song this Christmastime, and the theme is one that is increasingly common this year.  Telephone is a song about missing someone special at Christmas, the empty place at the table.  Inspired by the loss of her Grandmother, Jade sings about the words you want to be able to say to someone, and wish you didn’t have to. Whilst this is especially poignant at Christmas its appropriate for any time of year when you miss someone, longing for that chance to have another conversation with them. 

The instrumentation is simple and stripped back, with the vocals are pure, and at times they are soaring. The guitar gives a country element to the song as does the writing style, with Jade effortlessly blending genres for the finished song. The opening calls to mind opening a jewellery box, you can picture that little ballerina spinning around from the combination of the instruments, and the repeated note.

If there really were a telephone line to Heaven it would be possible to talk to loved ones – to talk about everything and also about nothing.  The song is not just about the loss though, it reminds us that we can keep memories alive – and even the loved one alive – with stories and talking about them.

Telephone wasn’t originally written to be released, but after getting great feedback following a performance of it on Jade’s weekly livestream she decided to release it in time for Christmas.

In her own words

Christmas is a time spent with family and friends but that also means missing those who should be there that little bit more. I think this will resonate with people who wish they could speak to their loved ones over the festive period. It means the world that something so personal to me can be translated so well to someone else.

Pick up this single and, if you can, pick up the phone.

Telephone, the new single from Jade Helliwell is available on all major platforms on Friday 11 December

You can find and follow Jade on Facebook, her website, Instagram and Spotify.  You can also catch her livestreams every Thursday night

Single Review - Happy Christmas - Biddy Ronelle and Tommy Taylor

 

Both Biddy Ronelle (Thrill, Let The Music Play) and Tommy Taylor (Popcorn, A Song for Her) class themselves as Americana artists that are happy crossing and blending genres such as rock, blues, folk and pop, both bringing their own unique twist to the ever growing UK Americana scene.

Not content to cover a standard Christmas track, the finished result of this pairing is an original rock ballad - Happy Christmas.

The song is written about what Christmas might look like this year, obviously very different to what everyone is used to, but dramatically different to what every performer is used to, with no live gigs.

The track starts with Biddy setting the scene. A Christmas full of cant’s - no crowds, the lights have stopped glistening, bells are not ringing, you can’t sing, can we even say “Happy Christmas”?

After the first minute the guitar changes the whole feel of the song and sweeps you along, your excitement begins.  

Their voices complement each other nicely; Tommy’s deep voice comforts you and Biddy holds those long high notes - what a powerhouse!

The guitar chorus reminds me of Slade – a more traditional Christmas sound. There a bell thrown in for good measure.

Tommy’s laughter left on the recording suggests they had a lot of fun; although both admit they never imagined releasing a Christmas track.

Times are hard, so raise your glass and sing aloud regardless and imagine you’re at that live gig. Raise your hands and sing together just like Biddy and Tommy have.

                                              

Happy Christmas, the new single from Biddy Ronelle and Tommy Taylor is available to download and stream from Friday 11 December

You can find and follow both on Facebook - Biddy Ronelle & Tommy Taylor and stream them on Spotify- Biddy  and Tommy

Single Review - This World + M.I.L.A - Emilia Quinn

 

Despite the cover artwork, Emilia Quin assures us she is not in fact having a baby, but she has smashed out a two-track release in only 4 weeks, documenting every step of the process on social media.  Not only has Emilia given us a throwback to the days of single with an A and B side, she has also demonstrated the range of her song writing and singing ability.

We are used to Emilia releasing and performing music very much on the Outlaw side of Country, with a real edge to it, but with This World + M.I.L.A we are shown the more gentle side of Emilia, and the different tones of her voice – both singing and written.

The two songs are messages, brought to us in the way that Emilia knows best. 

This World opens with acoustic guitar, soft vocals and then beautifully layered voices.  This song that came to Emilia while she was driving and reflecting on the world as it is right now, and how we can influence the world now and for the future; ourselves and others. Using our change to make it better.  The unborn child image, appropriate for her band members is to reflect the innocence amidst the darkness. Care for one another, think beyond yourself and share good karma – perhaps this song.  It’s a sermon, but it doesn’t preach – hopefully it makes you listen and think…

M.I.L.A is equally a gentle song, this time accompanied by piano which matches the voice beautifully.  The song is about lost love – which is why the full title is Missing Intensely from My Loving Arms.  It reflects the inability to give up on another person, that no matter where they are your love for them remains, they are still in your thoughts and heart.  Emilia leaves the loss open to interpretation, did they died, move away or is it a breakup – all scenarios leaving you missing them and trying to process the grief.

 

If this is what Emilia Quinn can produce in only 4 weeks, whilst documenting it, then her future is certainly bright, and maybe she can help us to change our world, or at least our feelings

This World + M.I.L.A, the new single from Emilia Quinn is available to stream and download from Friday 4 December

You can find and follow Emilia on Facebook, her website, Instagram and on Spotify