FIFTY3FRIDAYS: THE ODD UNEVEN TIME
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August is traditionally a quieter time for the music industry; fewer new records released, less touring, festivals may prosper but indoor venue audiences dip, people take time off. The poet and author Syliva Plath rather aptly described August as “the odd uneven time.” That said, August is still a fine time to pick blackberries. They may be a wee bit smaller this year due to lack of rain but otherwise are hardy enough to survive a hot summer. Meanwhile in view of the quieter month music wise, I thought I would use this Friday’s column to highlight a few things that popped into the Inbox but did not surface when things were busier.
Before we get there, thoughts of August and blackberries randomly led me to think about songs with blackberry in the title. This one goes way back to November 1968, reaching No 1 in the UK singles chart in February 1969. “Blackberry Way” was written by Roy Wood and recorded by the Midlands combo he was part of, The Move. Wood and Move drummer Bev Bevan, of course, went on to form ELO with Jeff Lynne before Wood left to conjure up Wizzard. The Move’s earlier hit single “Flowers in the Rain” was famously the first ever song played on BBC Radio 1 when the station launched in 1967. Though similarly constructed to The Beatles’ “Penny Lane”, “Blackberry Way” is a contrastingly darker song about the melancholy of a breakup. No blackberries were picked in its making but some great archive footage here!
Photo of Tarragon by Adele Mary Reed
Bringing things more up to date, let’s move on (sic) with something I’ve been sitting on since July. This sometimes happens; songs I intend to feature go into a pending folder and then I forget to look at it as often as I open it to fish out something wonderful. We first came across Coventry-based Callum Pickard aka Tarragon in April via his exquisite single, “Blueprint”. The independent singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist went on to deliver his immersive second album titled Home At Cofa's in May, hallmarked with intimate vocals amid atmospheric, expansive electronica.
“Recover Your Light” is a gently meditative love song taken from the album. While the New York archive footage in the accompanying video traces seemingly joyful moments in a couple's developing romance, the song reflects on personally cherished memories of love and the abandonment felt when it is lost. The lyrics may be economical but what really comes through is how the instrumental rises and falls convey emotions that words cannot always fully meet. The combination of electronica and spiralling strings complementing Tarragon’s softly burred vocals is simply masterful. I wholly recommend you listen to the full album.
Photo of Le Ren by Shelby Fenlon
Another little gem unearthed from the pending folder is Canadian folk singer-songwriter Lauren Spear aka Le Ren. Now based in Montreal, Le Ren was native to Bowen Island, British Columbia, where the island community’s folk and bluegrass traditions have worked their way into her original songs, melding these influences with a more contemporary outlook. After a 2020 debut EP, Le Ren released her first full-length album, Leftovers, a year later. Its follow-up, Don't Be Funny Without Me, is out today. The record examines love, jealousy and the uneasy ways both often intertwine.
There is something a touch metaphysical about Le Ren’s final single from the album, "Every Age," as she expresses a wish to have known her partner from birth through to how they are now. Her topline on the verses, for me, carry echoes of Laura Marling confessional tones. Le Ren caresses her words with a tender cognisance over warm finger-picked acoustic guitar while steel guitar and banjo add bluegrass textures. The song is a beautiful patchwork of romance, underscored by an intimate honesty. Londoners can catch Le Ren at a one-off headline show at St Pancras Old Church on 11 September which I will sadly miss due to a (not sad) week’s holiday. I do hope she will be back here in 2027.
Photo of Wasuremono by Will Southward
It’s been some time since we featured the work of multi-instrumentalist William Benjamin Southward aka Wasuremono, though his back catalogue stretches over 13 years. After a seemingly fallow time, he reappeared on Fresh On The Net’s radar in July with successive entries, the second of which was voted one of the week’s Fresh Faves. Working from his garden shed in Bradford-Upon-Avon (coincidentally a place I once misspent a week of my youth trying to write a play), Will has created an enviable collection of melodic indie pop songs.
“Me And The Noise” is the opening track from a new album of the same title released this month. [What was all that about fewer albums out in August? – Ed]. Wasuremono operates as a four-piece with songwriter, lead vocalist/guitarist Will supported by keyboards, bass and drums. The harmonies are spot on while the song has a decided 80s feel with brisk keyboard and bass figures playing over a solid beat. Wasuremono has a short UK tour booked for October with details and tickets HERE. As a bonus, here is another track from the new album, “Welcome Back” with a topical take on the weather.
Photo of Dolly Parton at Glastonbury 2014 by Nathan Dainty
It is difficult to put the metaphorical pen down without paying a short tribute to the wonderful Dolly Parton who left us earlier this week at the age of 80. It was a great pleasure to watch her set on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage in 2014 as she entertained a huge crowd in the Sunday afternoon Legends slot. You did not need to be a fan of country music to appreciate Dolly’s skill as a performer. Coming on like a rhinestone cowgirl, she sang sweetly with gusto and toted various instruments for brief cameos. It was a true variety show which the audience duly lapped up. We loved her humour, her homilies and whimsy, madly singing along when it came to “Jolene”, “Islands in the Stream”, and “9 to 5”. In a surprise twist, Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora joined in near the end to embellish a gospel treatment of “Lay Your Hands on Me” before she closed with possibly her greatest song, “I Will Always Love You” which I will leave with you now. R.I.P, dearest Dolly.
