Song Of The Day No.50

Easily Led

by The Fence Collective (Fence Reunited, 2004)

Anstruther, not the first place you think of when you think of music, however, we do owe a lot to this tiny Scottish fishing village and we don't even have to go looking for it these days. The Fence Collective are a group of musicians, the most famous being King Creosote, James Yorkston or members of The Beta Band, each having some kind of association with the record label, Fence Records. In the last five or so years the label has grown in recognition, their own festivals (Home Game, and now Away Game) have increased in size and the label were even invited to take control of The Guardian newspaper's music section.

James Yorkston, HMS Ginafore and Down The Tiny Steps are the artists that contribute on this Yorkston penned love-maligned slow number. The song is in-keeping with the overall folky style of the compilation with acoustic guitar, melodica and accordion dominating proceedings. Yorkston sings softly and is backed up by the female voice of HMS Ginafore, the vocal styling provides a catchy melody and complements the breathing instruments well to create a soothing unaffected love song.

AR

Song Of The Day No.26

Bumbling Blues

by Pip Dylan (Of All The Things I Can Eat I'm Always Pleased With A Piece Of Cheese, 2002)

Ian 'Een' Anderson is one of three siblings with musical talent pouring out of their ears. Brothers Kenny (King Creosote) and Gordon (The Beta Band, Lone Pigeon and is also Ian's twin) you could argue have had a little more success than him but Pip Dylan's life reads like a musical adventure book; living alone on the island of Mull, then touring Europe with his brother Kenny as part of the Skuobhie Dubh Orchestra playing the double bass, after which he spent a time learning to play the banjo, then finger and flat picking guitar styles and finally travelling to Spain to add flamenco to his box of tricks.

The album manages to successfully involve just about all these studied disciplines but 'Bumbling Blues' reverts to basics with fine-tuned simplicity in it's writing and execution. A steadily picked nylon guitar rhythm combines with percussive tenderness while affective slide whirs in the background. Mourning the departure of a loved one by stating “I will fly away and visit you.” to provide a gently warming chorus only adds to the tenderness of the song.

AR

Song Of The Day No.15

Kwangchow

by King Biscuit Time (Black Gold, 2006)

Steve Mason had released a couple of Eps, in 1998 and 2000, under his King Biscuit Time moniker before the surprising break up of his previous band, The Beta Band, in 2004. After the break up he decided to concentrate on his solo stuff and continues releasing material with his next record due out in May on the Domino imprint, Double Six.

It's not only the echoed voice in 'Kwangchow' that recalls The Beta Band stylings. Rhythmic, quick moving lyrics, a pop sensibility coupled with electronic/folktronic quirks and easy-to-get-hooked-to choruses. The song bounces along with a mild hip hop flavour created by the drum beat and guitar crunches. Mason's vocals are often accompanied in chorus by other echo-affected voices which, coupled with the bit of repetition in the lyrics gives an anthem-esque feel to the song without being stadium rock-ish.

AR