FIFTY3FRIDAYS: REMEMBERING SANDY AND DAVE
While this column chiefly focuses on new music largely from independent and grassroots artists, at times we also recognise a past legend or celebrate an anniversary closer to the world of mainstream music. Today, we mark the passing of two of my favourite artists of all time: Sandy Denny who we fondly remember this week and the remarkable Dave Mason who died on Sunday, aged 79. Tuesday 21 April marked 48 years since the tragic, untimely death of Sandy Denny, whose wonderful w
23 hours ago
FIFTY3FRIDAYS: KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY
Getting on for 12 years ago, I had the pleasure of attending a showcase for four disparate acts from the Bella Union stable at the acoustically blessed sanctum of London’s Union Chapel. Memories of that evening came to mind when I read about the independent label’s latest signing. The common link is family; the artists that evening were fulsome in their appreciation of Bella Union and each time the record label was name-checked there was warm audience applause too. It felt l
Apr 17
FIFTY3FRIDAYS: SECOND ALBUM SYNDROME UNDONE
Whither second album syndrome, that curious music industry phenomenon whereby artists struggle to replicate a debut album’s acclaim with an all too often rushed follow-up? Or writers who manage to squeeze both whither and whereby in the same sentence, you may ask? The good news is that Staffordshire-based duo Sonnen Blume has somehow avoided the difficult follow-that trap by pulling another pearl out of the jewellery box. Sonnen Blume 2 has been delivered miraculously just
Apr 10
FIFTY3FRIDAYS: SOCIAL DISTANCING FOR TREES
OK, so why the stock photo of a canopy of trees with the tops keeping their distance from one another? Could this be a form of social distancing for trees? You’ll find an answer in our third song featured below. Coincidentally I was looking up old editions of this column and came across my A-Z of Self Isolation from May 2020; an excruciating piece of comic writing in response to which Private Eye kindly said “Sorry not to publish.” Anyhow do click on the A-Z link above sh
Apr 3
FIFTY3FRIDAYS: REBEL JOY BY ROSWELL ROAD – TRACK BY TRACK
I have the Fresh On The Net Inbox once again to thank for introducing me to the music of Roswell Road . The London-based Indie-Americana project of Zoë Wren and Jasmine Watkiss came about after a chance meeting through a mutual friend led to them being pressured to sing together in the very public location of Ely Market Square. The resulting musical chemistry was instantaneous and they have been performing and writing songs together ever since. I am always interested in the g
Mar 27
FIFTY3FRIDAYS: THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN?
How many people does it take to write a song? This question struck me while watching highlights from The Oscars on Monday. It was prompted by KPop Demon Hunters winning Best Original Song with “Golden” , to add to its gong for Best Animated Feature. At least six out of the seven people credited with writing the song, including singer EJAE, seemed to turn up on stage to receive the award. Maybe one of them could have collected Sean Penn’s for him, while at it. Headline photo
Mar 20
