Apple & Parrot Presents - Acoustic Sessions Vol. One in
Aid of Oxjam
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| Apple & Parrot - Acoustic Sessions Volume 1 |
So, this is a bit different. When
I was invited on to BBC Radio Devon recently to be an 'expert' and critique
some new local artists, I was delighted to have this CD thrust in to my greasy
mits as this is a compilation of some of the best acoustic artists around.
These recordings have been gathered together by the Apple & Parrot in Torquay,
a venue that goes way beyond just supporting live music through its Apple &
Parrot Academy which helps musicians with everything from recording to video
production. What's even better is that this CD has been produced with the
additional purpose of supporting the wonderfully worthy Oxjam charity so it
literally couldn't be better intentioned. Anyway, there are 11 artists to get
through so let's crack on...
The collection opens with new LWM
favourites Sound Of the Sirens and a
cracking version of 'Who We Are' from the recent debut album and it is
incredibly pleasing to hear that their vocal harmonies and layered lyrics stand
up so well in a live forum. Andy Quick of
Plymouth band Land Of The Giants is up next with a subdued but beautifully
performed version of 'Jackpot Dave', complete with some luscious female backing
vocals to add another layer of richness. Poster
Child are up next with 'Crazy' which sounds like an a capella version of an
r'n'b, funk smash from the likes of Justin Timberlake which is not only
refreshing but also incredibly engaging on a compilation of this kind.
Next up is AJ Chapman featuring some guest work by Rich Cottell and Lawrence
Giles as they perform 'Had Your Chance' which is in the James Morrison vein of
acoustic funk and is perfectly well performed but doesn't really last long in
my memory. Jack Tucker's 'Rocket
Science' is akin to a modern take on the blues with a feel of Aloe Blacc and a
little of the Parov Stelar's of this world about it - atmospheric and groovy in
equal measure. The horribly named Babysnakes
follow with 'Fireflies' which is a gentle, meandering piece of loveliness
with shuffling drums and some gorgeous lap steel work that I have to admit I am
a bit of a sucker for. The Summertides have, in 'Rotterdam',
created a piece of travelling folk-pop that should only be listened to while
driving a knackered old campervan to an unknown destination. They put me in
mind of the Beautiful South, Fairground Attraction or the Bluebells and that
may not be good news to them but that's what my ears tell me and the day I stop
trusting my ears is the day I stop listening to music!
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| Cydney Brown |
So far, this collection has been
suprisingly dominated by male musicians so I was pleased when Sophie Dewoody popped up with 'Jump
With You', a soulful and funky acoustic tune that shows off Ms Dewoody's
undeniable vocal talents perfectly despite the brevity of the tune. The pace is
taken down quite a few notches when Cydney
Brown comes along with 'The Fog' and her dreamy, dulcet tones drift from
the speakers like a comforting blanket of sound on a cold night. Brown's power
and range is impressive as is her ability to switch from understated and
delicate to strident and defiant at the flick of a wrist. Matthew Porosa has a gravelly tone that would go down extremely
well in America or on Radio 2 as songs like 'Soak' will appeal to the romance
starved demographic who will swoon and sigh at his every 'ugh' and 'ooh'.
Finally, we finish up with Owen Penrice and
the unimaginatively titled 'Slow Song' which has a great sense of humour and
rawness about it that reminds me of early Paolo Nutini in a good way.
On this showing, you have to say
there is a great smattering of talent out there and big props should go to all
the artists and the Apple & Parrot for pulling this together to support a
great charity and show off the talent on offer. One thing I feel the South West
has always lacked is some kind of 'scene' in the way that Manchester,
Liverpool, Camden and Glasgow - among others - seem to manage with such ease.
Maybe this can be the start of something approaching a scene - I am encouraged
that this is tantalisingly entitled 'Volume 1' and look forward to the follow
up.
More information:
Apple & Parrot - http://www.appleandparrot.co.uk/
Sound Of The Sirens - https://www.facebook.com/SoundoftheSirens?fref=ts
Andy Quick (Land Of The Giants) - https://www.facebook.com/landofthegiantsuk
Poster Child - https://www.facebook.com/posterchildmusic
AJ Chapman - https://www.facebook.com/4thFloorStudios?fref=ts
Jack Tucker - https://www.facebook.com/jacktuckertunes?fref=ts
Babysnakes - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Babysnakes/355489599595?fref=ts
The Summertides - https://www.facebook.com/thesummertides?fref=ts
Sophie Dewoody - https://www.facebook.com/sophiedewoodymusic?ref=ts&fref=ts
Cydney Brown - https://www.facebook.com/CydneyBrownMusic?fref=ts
Matthew Porosa - https://myspace.com/matthewporosa
Owen Penrice - https://www.facebook.com/owenpenricemusic?fref=ts