The RGM inbox January 2021
Welcome to another year at Red Guitar Music. In so many ways 2020 was a year we’d all like to forget while 2021 has, unfortunately, delivered more of the same thus far, but we remain hopeful for better things later this year. Luckily, there’s always good music to take our minds off the day to day drudgery of living with a pandemic and January has already unearthed a few small gems.
First up, we are pleased to welcome back Frances Luke Accord to RGM. We last featured the duo back in 2018 when RGM scribe Rich Barnard was full of praise for their ‘Maria’ single. ‘Dust To Dust’ is the latest from the duo of Nicholas Gunty and Brian Powers who’ve not been able to get together in 2020 but thanks to the wonders of modern technology a remote collaboration was possible. They’ve also called in a few friends to help out with contributions from Don Mitchell of Darlingside (production), Chris Dupont (electric guitar), and Luke Jackson (drums). The resulting single is set for release on January 15th wherever you get your digital music fix and is unsurprisingly absolutely lovely. Intricate acoustic guitars and whispered percussion are complemented by inventive lead guitar lines that intertwine beautifully in support of a lyric, influenced by nursery rhymes and Sufi poetry, that touches on things that we have all had to deal with in recent months. Lyrics delivered with FLA's trademark harmonies that Simon & Garfunkel would be proud to call their own.
Today (Jan 11th) marks the release of the debut EP ‘Awakening’ from Gaeya. The Swedish artist has also released a new single/video from the EP ‘Tide For The Change’ which showcases Gaeya’s ethereal vocal over a bed of gentle piano and synths. Gaeya also hosts the podcast tellUs which focuses on sharing new ideas and solutions for the on-going issues mankind is facing from the results of long term misuse of the planet, its resources and its beings (one of the unexpected positives to come out of the pandemic is that lockdowns have improved the air quality in many of our cities globally). Gaeya’s EP is a ray of positive light in the darkness and that should always be applauded. ‘Awakening’ is available now and you can check out the latest single below and visit Gaeya’s official site for links to the podcast.
January 22nd will see the UK release of the debut album by World Goes Round. The WGR album seemingly got lost in the shuffle and is only now seeing the light of day as it was recorded back in 1989. World Goes Around features four artists/songwriters best known for their work with other artists in a session/hired gun capacity. Jeff Hull, Elizabeth Lamers, Frank Musker and Marty Walsh have a list of credits that reads like a who’s who of the very best in the industry including Queen, Supertramp, John Fogerty, Air Supply, John Denver, Linda Ronstadt, Chaka Khan, Sheena Easton, Quincy Jones, Kenny Rogers, Supertramp, Donna Summer, Neil Diamond, Jeffrey Osbourne and many more, Fans of 80s pop rock will find much to enjoy in the grooves of WGR as the band are blessed with two strong singers, an excellent guitarist and needless to say plenty of songwriting skill. So if you love all things 80s then check out the video for ‘Put It On The Line’
Ed Cosens has announced that the release of his debut solo album ‘Fortunes Favour’ via Distiller Records has been pushed back to April 9th, 2021. To soften the blow he’s released a third single from the record ‘Madeleine’ and an accompanying video which is part three of the short film that will be released in conjunction with the album. Ed is probably best known as the guitarist in Reverend & The Makers and his solo debut has been ten years in the making or as Ed puts it “It’s only taken 10 years or so for me to find the confidence!” Ed’s songs have a languid intensity and benefit from the addition of strings and a lovely warm production. Check out ‘Madeleine’ and Ed also has a nice line in acoustic tracks on his YouTube channel that are well worth a listen.
Follow Ed Cosens on socials: https://linktr.ee/EdCosens
2021 is already looking like it’ll be a good year at least musically so RGM will be back very soon with more great tunes for the discerning listener. Until then stay safe and be nice to each other.