Slowtown Now
Holly Golightly
It’s been over 10 years since British singer/songwriter Holly Golightly has released a solo album. On August 28th Holly reunites with her old band to release a 12 song, 60’s garage band influenced groove fest titled “Slowtown Now.” (Damaged Goods records)
The album opens up with the song “Seven Wonders” and from that moment on you are swept away on a musical journey back to the 1960’s, where you can almost feel the sand from the beach between your toes while Holly’s smooth vocals wash over you like the ocean waves.
There is no filler on this record, making this album a joy to listen to from start to finish.
Highlights include “As You Go Down”, with the twangy guitar riff and sassy lyrics, “Frozen in Time” a jazzy little ditty that will almost make you smell the dank smoke filled night club of the ‘60’s.
“Fool Fool Fool” has the fuzzy guitar sound that will stick with you and will annoy your coworkers, as they have to listen to you singing the chorus, Fool Fool Fool all day.
The album ends with “When I Wake” a dreaming little number that after it fades out, will make you want to listen to the album again at track one.
Guitarists Ed Deegan and Bradley Burgess, bassist Matt Radford and the steady drumming of Bruce Brand, helped Holly Golightly produce one of my favourite albums of 2015. It was well worth the 10-year wait. Brilliant!
—Doug Kerr
Short Movie
Laura Marling
Laura Marling’s new album “Short Movie” is a departure from her previous four albums. With the addition of electric guitars, the UK folk singer has created a 13 song masterpiece.
At the young age of 25, Marling is a veteran on the folk music scene, having released five studio albums. Her previous effort, the beautiful “Once I was an Eagle”, achieved critical praise as one of the best folk albums of 2013.
“Short Movie”, is a musical departure of sorts. Still possessing the folky feel of albums past, Marling’s sparse electric guitar adds a new dimension to her music.
The song “False Hope”, illustrates this electric folk fusion in a way that will grab you and not let go until Bob Dylan says” Why did I go electric at Newport”.
“Walk Alone”, my favourite song on the album, highlights Marling’s vast vocal range and a smooth guitar riff that will soothe your evil soul.
By the time you get to the sixth song “Don’t Let Me Bring You Down”, you will reach the point of no return, and will need to hear more.
Many of the songs on “Short Movie” were influenced by Marling’s one-year sabbatical in Los Angeles and the California desert. “Easy” is a retrospective vision of the past via the Joshua trees of the high California desert.
“Gurdjieffs’s Daughter” based on a story by Alejandro Jodorowsky, is the kind of song that will stay with you bouncing in your brain trying to decipher it’s deeper meaning .
Short Movie is pure magic and definitely proves that Laura Marling is an artist that will be around for a long time. Check it out at www.lauramarling.com
—Doug Kerr
