Jade Sanders - I Want You To Stay Song Review

I Want You To Stay is a pop song with a slight country sound.  Jade’s vocals are lively and fresh.  With hints of Taylor Swift this song is simple yet grows on you the more you listen to it.  A high quality song it soon gets under your skin.  Jade’s style is bound to appeal to fans of many genres of music.  Her classy vocals are distinctive and really lovely to listen to.

Jade Sanders - Already Gone Song Review

Already Gone is a breezy modern country song with a slight dash of pop mixed in for good measure.  Jade’s vocals are strong throughout.  Jade’s sound is fresh and youthful yet her vocals suggest something entirely different.  They have a very mature sound.  This is a lovely song, catchy and easy to listen to.

Jade Sanders - Shotgun Rider Song Review

Seventeen year old Jade Sanders is a talented singer/songwriter from South Florida.  Jade has been writing songs since she was ten years old.  Jades vocals sound like those of someone who has had a vast experience of life not of someone so young.  In her vocals there is a strong bluesy sound, which transcends into her music.  Shotgun Rider is a modern country song with heavy rocky backing instrumentation.  Jade’s vocals are never overshadowed.  Powerful and pleasing on the ear the listener is quickly drawn into the song.  This is a classy offering with hints of Reba McEntire along with many more modern country artists.  A very enjoyable song that makes you want to hear more from this young artist.

Dave Hangley - Nice And Slow Song Review

Nice And Slow is a modern country song from Dave Hangley.  Typical of many modern country songs Dave’s vocals are pleasant on the ear.  A fast up-beat song with a strong melody.  Born in New Jersey Dave blends folk and country into his music giving it a strong sound.  This song could easily compete against the likes of songs by Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Brantley Gilbert.  It has a polished sound and is definitely radio friendly.  A likeable song that shows the vocal potential of this new country singer.

Joanna Yaeger - Won’t Be Moved Song Review

Won’t Be Moved is a new offering by Joanna Yaeger.  Well worth a listen this song is catchy and definitely radio friendly.  It is also very classy and shows off Joanna’s vocals to the full.  This song blends modern country with pop, the end result is a fresh sounding top quality song.  In Joanna’s vocals there are hints of Carrie Underwood.  Joanna’s vocals are strong and powerful, really giving the song volume and depth.  One listen isn’t enough to fully appreciate this wonderful song.

Paul McClure - Smiling From The Floor Up

If you are looking for an album of well written delicately sung songs then look no further!!!!

Paul McClure is a talented singer/songwriter from Rutland. His third solo album SMILING FROM THE FLOOR UP features ten songs that speak to listeners through their lyrics and gentle vocals. Long Gone Out Of Here has a wonderful acoustic sound. A great opening track this song is lyrically strong and puts plenty of emphasis on Paul’s wonderful vocals. There is a unique rawness to Paul’s voice, which hasn’t been erased by production. Pollyanna is a quirky song, which blends a touch of blues with Paul’s more traditional acoustic sound. The lyrics tell an interesting story, which is quite dark and twisted. Listening to this song I feel like I am immersed in an episode of Twin Peaks. Hannah Elton-Wall harmonises on the vocals giving the song a ghostly haunting sound. This song certainly lures you in for a much closer listen. Lost And Found is a slightly more up-tempo song with a strong beat. For You sees the pace slow once again. This is a delightful song, which puts all the emphasis on Paul’s heady vocals. More of a ballad this song is reminiscent of James Taylor in his hey day. Any Number You Like (As Long As Its Four) seems the album take a complete change of tempo. This is a rousing sing a long song with the piano taking pride of place. Song 6 is a gentle lyrically driven song. The lyrics are expressive yet quite simplistic. A charming song that goes to show less is quite often more! Keep It Together has echoes of James Taylor once again. Another vocally driven acoustic song that is classy but not over done. The injection of the female harmony gives the song added depth. Hannah Elton-Wall’s vocals blend perfectly with Paul’s creating a wonderful atmospheric sound. The title song Smiling From The Floor Up features some stunning instrumentation provided by Joe Bennett on the lap steel. This is a really laid back acoustic song infused with a slight hint of blues. Although this is a rather short song it is still breath taking and leaves you as a listener wanting to hear more. Lola Rose is a quirky old fashioned sounding song featuring a huge array of instrumentation. The album ends on a strong note with another lyrically driven slow song Moments Lost. This song has poignant lyrics that are both emotive and magical. Quite a sad song to end on but also one that makes you ponder and think about your own life. All those precious moments that you have squandered and all those significant events you witnessed but will never get the chance to see again. These lyrics are raw and powerful yet come across as simple and unrefined. All ten songs on this album are obviously written from the heart and sung with grace.  Paul’s voice is tender and captivating always luring the listener in. A beautiful mix of heady acoustic ballads and quirky original songs.  The highlights are almost too numerous to mention but there are two stand out songs on this album Pollyanna and Moments Lost. Paul is not only a great vocalist as evidenced here he is also a genius with words. His lyrics read like poetry or dark twisted stories. All in all this is a wonderful example of good acoustic music written and sung well. 

Daniel Goodman - Keys To The Kingdom

Poetic lyrics turned into wonderful songs

Daniel Goodman is a talented singer/songwriter whose songs set poetic lyrics to music. His latest offering is a classy four track EP featuring songs that showcase a new side to Daniel’s music. This EP was recorded at the world renowned Magic Shop Recording Studio and produced by Mario J McNulty, who has produced music for the likes of David Bowie and Lou Reed. Unlike Daniel’s full length albums, which are largely acoustic in sound, this EP introduces a mix of musical instruments. There is a large dose of 1970’s folk/rock blended into the musical style of the songs offered here yet Daniel always manages to retain his unique vocals. With all four songs self-penned there are plenty of lyrics to get excited about. Keys To The Kingdom starts off slowly and builds into a dramatic chorus. The music also fluctuates giving the song depth and the song character. This is a rocky song with strong vocals that manage to ride above the rousing music. Daniel’s vocals are rough, spirited and rather charming on the ear. This song is great to listen to with the volume turned up high. Long Time Waiting  is a much slower offering. Quite charming Daniel’s vocals are raw and emotive. The musical backing is laid back allowing the vocals and lyrics to take centre stage. This is a beautiful song that really tugs at the heart strings. This song is the closest thing on the EP to the style of music on Daniel’s previous released albums. Orphan’s Song sees the tempo go up a gear. This is a really rousing rocky pop/folk song. The lyrics are really clever and well constructed, also quite succinct in places. Listeners will feel themselves being transported back to the days of Woodstock upon listening to this song. If this song doesn’t have you dancing then I don’t know what will! Sons Of Cain completes the EP. This is a heavy song with great instrumentation. Another song that feels like it wouldn’t have been out of place in the 70’s. Once again it is Daniel’s unique and raw vocals that grab you. He manages to tell a story just by altering his tone of voice. A great song to end on, you really feel like you have been treated to some excellent music upon listening to this EP. It is a shame that this is only an EP and not a full length album as there is plenty to wet your appetite here and make you long to hear more. SH

Luke De-Sciscio – Song Review

Luke De-Sciscio is a highly talented singer/songwriter from the South West.  Fresh faced and obviously very enthusiastic about his music Luke has an evocative voice.  His music fails to be pigeon-holed into any one category, which is a refreshing change in today’s society.  His vocals are delicate, charming and quite angelic.  They have a wonderful power and easily switch between a haunting, raw organic acoustic sound and an angst ridden rocky style.  His guitar playing is quite brilliant.  Never overdone the music he creates is atmospheric and also at times very understated. 

Patterns of Revolution is a beautiful song; here Luke’s vocals are angelic yet blended with stronger punchy lines that convey the heavier side of the lyrics.  The chorus is gentle yet the lyrics are meaningful and poignant.  This song has a dreamy quality about it.  Throughout the song you feel like you are being transported on a musical journey.  The guitar playing is sublime and a joy to listen to.  This is an exquisite song that showcases Luke’s amazing vocals as well as his wonderful guitar playing.  Fused together this song is perfect!

Love Your Mother is a slow song with a great organic sound.  Luke’s vocals build throughout the song, not to a big crescendo but to a moderately rousing finale.  Instrumentation is stripped back on this song yet builds at the all important times creating drama and emotion in the song. 

As I Sit Here Aging is another lovely example of how music and vocals can work in harmony to create a dramatic passion filled sound.  Luke’s vocals are powerful and full of zeal.  This song has a little more pop infused into its organic sound however it still sounds unique. 

I Am Done is slightly more up-tempo than most of Luke’s other songs.  Luke’s vocals are angst ridden on this vocally driven track.  With injections of rock Luke proves his vocals are really up to belting out a powerful number. 

For The Road showcases Luke’s mesmerizing vocals.  Luke’s vocals need to be heard to be really appreciated.  This is a strong vocally driven song.  Luke’s transitions from angelic high pitched vocals to angst ridden lines are seamless. 

Boston is definitely an angst ridden song with powerful vocals.  Strong lyrics belted out with gruff vocals give this song purpose.  Here Luke proves how dynamic his vocal style is.  Quite a change from his other songs this is evidence of how versatile Luke can be in his musical styles.

I Don’t Hold You Anymore highlights Luke’s striking vocals once again.  Luke’s soft, charismatic sound is a pure joy to listen to.  Always sounding refreshing and captivating.  This song puts Luke’s vocals before the instrumentation.  Something he does on most of his numbers, always allowing his vocals to take centre stage.

Working Title is another song that allows Luke’s vocal range to shine and shine it certainly does.  This is another example of Luke at his best.  A lovely slow song with beautiful lyrics. 

Listening to Luke’s music is exhausting as you find yourself wrapped up in the lyrics of the songs as well as being fully engaged in the vocals, which are at times beyond belief.  An outstandingly talented young man, Luke’s skills as a singer and a songwriter can only grow and grow.  As a musician Luke is extremely talented.  Luke’s slower songs are perhaps his best as they convey more emotion and perhaps offer up a little more of Luke’s soul.  

David Newbould And The Stowaways - The Devil Is His Name

David Newbould And The Stowaways

The Devil Is His Name

*****

David Newbould is a talented singer/songwriter whose music has appeared on many popular television shows.  His music mixes country and rock together to create an exciting sound.  David’s vocals are powerful, interesting and intense.  Although not a household name David enjoys a large following of devoted fans.  David’s latest offering is an EP featuring four songs.  Although short in length this is a lovely listen.  The opening song and title track The Devil Is His Name is rocky country at its very best.  David’s vocals are edgy and have plenty of depth.  This song offers up plenty of atmosphere and character and would be perfect for the soundtrack of a show like True Detective.  Although the instrumentation is rousing David’s vocals are never overshadowed.  Love You Like I Don’t Know How is a slow country song.  Charming and very organic in sound, this song is certainly beautiful to listen to.  David’s vocals are full of passion and sound earthy and raw.  As the music fades you find yourself longing for more.  Standing At The Crossroads Too Long sees a change in tempo.  This song is a strong country/rock song with a hint of blues thrown in for good measure.  David’s vocal style brings to mind John Mellencamp or Bruce Springsteen blended with Bob Dylan.  A powerful song with great lyrics.  This song highlights how easy it is for David to switch from intense to rousing rocky vocals.  Clam Bake City sees the EP draw to a close.  David’s vocals are warm and velvety.  A slow song with a great story weaved into the lyrics.  As with Love You Like I Don’t Know How  this song is beautiful to listen to.  Overall this EP is outstanding, every track is worthy of its place.  David’s vocals bring the songs to life leaving you wanting to hear more.  Love You Like I Don’t Know How and Clam Bake City certainly have the wow factor.  After hearing this you will be longing for a full length album.

Take Me Where The Road Goes EP by Ben Rose

An interesting voice for the future! Ben Rose is a talented singer/songwriter . Coming from a musical family his music combines folk, pop and country together to create something rather unique and interesting. His songs are well crafted and Ben’s vocals are raw and passionate. Night Of Our Lives opens this five track EP. Ben’s vocals take centre stage on this acoustic sounding indie pop infused song. Strong lyrics make this song interesting and give it an added depth. Crazy is a slightly heavier song, which again showcases Ben’s unique vocal style. The lyrics create a vivid image of the story Ben is telling. Angel On The Highway sees the mood lighten again. Ben’s vocals are softer and punctuated by some wonderful guitar playing. Nothing is over done here. The raw acoustic sound that echoes through this EP is what will attract listeners to Ben’s music. How About Tonight has a faster tempo. A catchy melody and Ben’s raw sound give this song a definite edge. This song has quite a strong Americana influence. Ben’s music would not sound out of place on a bleak American drama. There are hints of Jack White in Ben’s style and sound. The final track on this EP is entitled Better Man. An enjoyable slow song that relies heavily on Ben’s vocals to carry listeners to the end of the EP. The five tracks on this EP are well worth listening to, they create atmosphere and give listeners a chance to delve into a world of raw organic music.

Paint The Town Red by Dirt Road Angels

If you are a fan of modern country music then look no further than the new EP by Dirt Road Angels, a group of five female singer songwriters from Canada. Shawna Lynne, Shila Marie, Danita, Karen Claypool and Dahlia Wakefield formed their all girl group in 2013. They went onto release a compilation album shortly after featuring songs from all five girls. This latest release sees the girls show off their wondrous harmonies as they join forces to sing six songs together. All five ladies have incredible voices and this is reflected on PAINT THE TOWN RED. Make Me Wanna is an up-tempo modern country song. The melody is catchy and the vocals are strong. At times it is hard to believe that there are five girls singing their voices blend together so effortlessly. Memories is a beautiful song, slightly slower in tempo. This song has lovely lyrics and an old time country feel yet the voices remain thoroughly modern. The title track Paint The Town Red is a rocky modern country song in the style of early Miranda Lambert. Radio friendly this song has all the makings of a big country hit. Karma is another rock influenced country song. The music is heavy and the vocals once again punchy and strong. Best Friend is a lovely country song; the vocals are showcased with toned down backing music. The lyrics are so truthful giving the song an innocent feel. This is perhaps the highlight of this EP. Blended together on a slower track the girls really do sound angelic. Back Around The Mountain sees the mood pick up pace once more. The final offering on this EP is a modern country song with an old time country feel. As solo singers all five ladies have very different sounds and styles put those together and you have one top class sounding EP. 


is a great album and a real mixed bag of songs. I like the variations between the fast and slow songs. You all have such lovely voices and your voices blend so well together. It is lovely listening to you as one. There are some songs on there that I instantly thought of as hits in their own right. They had the sound of some of the songs floating around the country charts right now. I love your blend of modern country with an older more traditional sound as well.

This Is Me

This Is Me

I look in the mirror but I do not recognise the person staring back at me

Sunken eyes, the colour faded, dried lips, cracked and sore

Cheek bones protruding where once there was flesh, pale and pasty like a piece of unbaked dough

My head an odd egg shape no longer covered in layers of pretty auburn hair

My ribs on show for all to see, as easy to count as one, two, three

My arms black and blue, dented and bruised – wounded soldiers in this war on me

My stomach, which was once, deemed to big, now a saggy mess of unwanted flesh

My shoulders droop under the weight of stress, my legs barely support me they are so frail and thin

My wedding ring adorns a stand on the dresser, a reminder of all that I have lost

My heart is broken into two, loss and grief ripping at its very being

My wardrobe once full of elegant dresses and the finest of suits replaced now with standard issue grey tracksuits and comfy fitting jumpers

High heels buried at the back, not much need for those any more

Photos of the life I once had thrown into a box on the floor – I cannot look at the painful reminders, the wounds cut too deeply

Once I was happy and madly in love, I had a full life ahead of me with a man who offered me the world on a plate

He promised before friends and family to love me in sickness and in health, to take the good times a long with the bad

When the doctors told me I was ill he stood there in shock, literally frozen to the spot

As my world came crashing down around me I didn’t think things could get any worse

I tried to be bright and pretend things were ok, smiled in all the right places and kept my chin up

The doctors said my diagnosis wasn’t a death sentence things had come along way

Drugs and determination were the key to beating this evil thing that had invaded my body and destroyed all the good in me

The questions were endless, the appointments tiresome

I guess something had to give!

I had to resign from my job, give my carer prospects up, life was permanently on hold

For a few months he stood by me watching me fall apart

He walked around like a robot saying and doing all of the right things but the love we once shared in abundance just wasn’t there

One day he was my husband the next just a man in a faded photo smiling without a care

I have seen the statistics; there is a good chance I will beat this cancer

I touch the glass, my haunted reflection – this is me, there is still life in me yet

A Pilots War

A Pilots War

We sit in a small room playing cards, reading a well thumbed book or pondering fruitlessly over a crossword puzzle, each with our own mixed emotions

A ringing phone shattering the silence, we all run to our planes – scramble is the fancy name

A synchronised dance of men in flying suits

Chairs fall to the floor as we leave, card games half finished, drinks left untouched

Some names on the board never to be seen again

They count us out with cheers of good luck and see you soon

We are up and away in minutes

No time to waste

Like tiny ants we march across the sky

For some this will be their very last outing

Its all down to the roll of the dice, no one is beyond death

Alone in our cockpits we don’t have time to think just to react

Cold and isolated the cockpit of a Spitfire or Hurricane feels like a lonely home

Guns fire lighting up the night sky – it’s a strategic game of cat and mouse

Hunt or be hunted

We throw our planes this way and that, diving away from falling debris, all the time praying we are not hit

Sometimes you get separated from the crowd

A blanket of darkness washes over you, disorientates you until you go mad with fear

Concentration is vital, watch the dials or face certain death

It’s what we have trained for, our destiny

For some the training is so brief it’s a wonder they get off of the ground at all

Brave men risking everything for their country, serving the men and women left behind

The cruelty of war is all around – crashed planes, burnt out with no chance of escape, buildings reduced to piles of smouldering rubble

Innocent men, women and children displaced, grieving loved ones, praying for a swift end to the endless bombing

The fear of what else is to come grips the nation

As countries capitulate we fight on with our heads held high

Adrenaline kicks in and we act like robots, automatic responses drilled into our minds

We aren’t special; we aren’t heroes’ just ordinary folk doing a job that needs to be done

For many to fly a plane was just a distant boyhood dream now here we are up in the sky

Defending our country for all it is worth

We go up at all times of the day or night, always praying for good weather conditions

Fighting the enemy is one thing to have to fight the weather as well is a frustrating hazard we could well do without

Our lives are expendable it is the bigger picture that matters

We do not serve to get medals, to get recognition, to get our photos in the paper

We do not crave adulation from the wider public – how can you celebrate killing a fellow human being for that is what we have done?

Our greatest goal is to live, to see our families again, our children

To watch them grow up in a country they are proud to call home

Many of us are barely men at all; we haven’t tasted but a tiny drip of life

We haven’t proposed marriage to a girl, bought our own house – all that is but a dream waiting to come true

Our friends and colleagues die, picked off one by one

Some only last a day, hours even

A lost plane, brutal injuries that result in death, burns that scar a mans body for life

Men who parachute out of a dying plane only to be shot at and killed by the enemy

Some parachute too late and crash land into the world below, others drown when they are forced to bale out over the sea

We look for our missing men when time allows but often there is no trace, it is as if the earth has swallowed them whole, taken them some place where no further harm can come to them

Names written on a chalk board so easily rubbed out, replaced and rubbed out again

We cannot allow ourselves to grieve or we would never get out of bed

So many have gone leaving behind broken families and heartbroken friends

A new name, a new fresh face replaces them eager to do their bit for the cause

They cannot replace the men we have lost no matter how many jokes we share with them, no matter how many tales we tell them

We come back in to land battered and bruised – mentally as well as physically exhausted

A few are missing; some we saw meet their maker others vanished into the night sky never to be heard of again

The men on the ground patch up our wounded planes as best they can – working miracles all hours of the day and night, maybe they are the silent heroes of this merciless war?

We count up our achievements, say a silent prayer for those lost and head off for a stiff drink or a well earned sleep

Many sleep fitfully as nightmares creep in

In a few hours maybe less we will be doing this all again, the bombardment is endless as is our urge to win

We are but a few, an army of men pulled from every corner of the globe fighting with everything we have to obliterate an unwelcome foe

We cannot dwell on our achievements as for every enemy plane shot down a man has most probably died or at least been wounded

He is a man with family and friends just like us, just like us he is doing a job

One day roles into another, then another – the faces change but the objective always remains the same