Fatea Showcase Session:One
The new Fatea Showcase Session:One is available for free download at:

www.fatea-showcase-sessions.co.uk

Featuring 17 great solo artists across a range of acoustic based
genres, "One" is the forth of the Fatea Showcase Sessions, Spring 09.
The download is exclusively available for three months after which it
will never be available again.

'One' is the first 2009 session and all the sleeves this year have
been designed by David Owen and will build into one large image.

To ensure you the listener gets to hear the band at their best, the
downloads are 256kbs drm free. The zip file also contains a sleeve
pack. Links to the band are on the session page as well as on the
sleeve. We hope you enjoy what you hear and then choose to buy releases
from the artists or go to their gigs when you can.


01. Jackie Oates - Wishfulness Waltz

02. James Ragbone - The Parade

03. Maggie Council - Nebraska Avenue

04. Bob Burke - Siren

05. Rachel Taylor-Beales - Liberty

06. Jinski - Hand Of God

07. Aimee Newsome-Stone - Drive Me Down

08. Ivor Game - I Like Being At Home

09. Becky Syson - Before Now

10. John Fairhurst - Obnox Stomp Remix*

11. Tina Taylor - Someday

12. Simon Jackson - Stainless & Cold Pressed
Steel

13. Patsy Matheson - Precious Little Soldier

14. Tessa Bickers - This Song’s For You*

15. Diana Johnstone - The Troubled Heart

16. Henry Clements - Needle And Thread

17. Lizzie Nunnery - Hungry

*=Session Exclusive

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_4Ho6vCUl0

Filmed by Live Music Showcase at Bournemouth Folk Club Jan 09:the song is inspired by Alan Garners novel The Owl Service- drawing reference from the legend of Blodeuwedd, whose story is told in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi- a woman created out of flowers for her husband and then turned into an owl as punishment for having an affair.

The end of the year is nigh- The Sufjan Stevens Christmas box set is out and playing a soundtrack of merry melancholy and mellifluous mayhem (that man is so good damn him) and I always find myself thinking about highs and lows both personally and in the wider world- kind of summing up the year in my head. Though my summing up is a poor reflection of reality I'm sure! It's been a rollercoaster of a year really- Finally launching the Red Tree album back in May was a brilliant time. A great launch party night, some fantastic reviews, and the opportunity to work and perform with some very talented musicians in the gigs that followed- that really is the fun side of the job!! And more recently BBC Radio Two playing of Red Tree on Whispering Bob's (he probably hates that name) Saturday program is definitely a high! The downside has been trying to keep the momentum rolling as it has been a little more stop-start than was planned with more gigs being cancelled by promoters than I've ever experienced before as well as two of the festivals that I was booked to play over the summer also cancelled. It seems that a lot of it has been a direct effect of the credit crunch- I have had many of conversations with others about this. Some are telling me its all in the mind and nothing is changing but it does seem to me (at least from my struggling in the garret to make art type level) to have had quite an impact. That said I want to take my hat off to all of you and those promoters who have carried on regardless and continue to support live music! I personally have been to some fantastic gigs over the year. Leonard Cohen at the Manchester Opera House comes out at the top- but also up in the highs were- Sigur Ros's beautiful soundscapes and mindblowingly stunning display of visuals, Ani Difranco and her performance full of passion and energy, Jose Gonzales intense intricate and unique guitar style songs and Cerys Matthews who's powerful set was full of diversity, self deprecating humour and soulful delivery. All very inspiring and energising!I've opened for some great acts also this year- Jackie Leven being one of them- his storytelling was very engaging. Obama was elected! I almost hadn't dared to hope after the disappointments of the last elections. The great Odetta passed away. Somehow Hallelujah was performed on The X factor- ok so its not the Cohen, Cale, Buckley or KD Lang version all of which wax and wane between mystical and earthy content of the lyrics- but hey its still a surprisingly astute choice for X factor! And finally to wrap these rather randomly assorted thoughts- I want to say something about the current situation in Palestine this Christmas. I guess having worked out there and experienced a little of what life under occupation is like- I can't think of Bethlehem at this time of year (all the carol and Christmas cards etc) without talking about what the situation as it is. I was involved last week in an 'Alternative Carol' event called Carols by Check Point that included traditional carols, alongside re-written versions telling the story of Palestine today under occupation. I've included a bit of blurb about Bethlehem that was in the program on my blog site which read more about here if you are interested www.rachel-t-b.blogspot.com and I'd also would like to draw attention to an inspiring and courageous campaign headed by young Israeli teens known as 'THE SHMINISTIM' who are refusing to do their compulsory military service as they cannot morally partake the inhumane practises of the occupation. This means that they are in and out of prison continually for the 3- 4 years that they do not do their military service and will of course have repercussions on employment opportunities etc… www.december18th.org Follow the link here to the website and find out more and sign their petition letter …. So all that remains is to wish you a Merry Christmas- look forward to seeing you all on the road some place soon in 2009. (oh yes and the live album- well it will happen sometime in 09 so watch this space… as always everything takes 100 times longer than my optimistic forecasting!!)

The title track to Rachel's new album Red Tree, was played as part of Bob Harris program last Saturday (11th October) and described as 'Highly Recommended!' Listen again all this week...

Live Review- Plugged in Magazine....

Rachel Taylor-Beales Red Tree CD Launch at The Point....
A kind of hush prevails over the point tonight as if they are trying not to annoy the neighbours. Everybody was sitting at chairs around candlelit tables- politely applauding the performances they were watching. Simon M Read (www.myspace.com/simonmread ) was on support as I entered through the creaking door, eyes glaring my way at my intrusion into this gentle place. His performance was a softly passionate affair strumming his acoustic guitar under a single spotlight. Perched a top his high chair and playing tracks from his CD Bowland, you'd have thought that his performance would have been lost in this old church. But no, he enveloped the auditorium in his music of sweet sorrowful beauty. A fitting support for Rachel Taylor-Beales, who also entered the stage a solitary figure. Starting her performance of hauntingly beautiful slow paced tunes she blissfully stroked your body into silent submission to her talent. Poetically soulful her songs build up to a fever pitch until they end, gently letting you come down to rest like a leaf softly touching the earth. Joined by two other musicians they create textured patterns between the cello, piano, guitar, flute and Rachel's whispering hushed vocal style, heightened during the song liberty in which she directs the audience in a subtle humming choir finale. Rachel's  Red Tree CD is available through her website (www.racheltaylor-beales.com )  and I promise will be one of the best purchases you'll make this year. DW....

www.myspace.com/pluggedinmagazine issue 4....

…..Rachel Taylor-Beales To Launch 2nd Album With Live Show In Cardiff

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

HUSHLAND PRESENTS:

 

RACHEL TAYLOR-BEALES album launch plus special guest Simon M Read

Wednesday 14th May 2008, The Point, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay

£8 in advance/£10 on the door 7:30pm

 

....When Rachel Taylor-Beales released her first album, it was met with great appreciation from those who heard it. BBC Radio 2's Bob Harris called Brilliant Blue "lovely" and Acoustic Magazine said it was "hauntingly beautiful". That album, the first in her colour trilogy, is now to be followed up by Red Tree.

 

Released on 21st May 2008, Red Tree was recorded, produced by and features Martyn Joseph. The album blends folk, country and Americana in a bewitching, otherworldly fashion. It's an album of great drama inspired by the music she heard as a child (Tori Amos, Joni Mitchell), her modern day fixations (Iron And Wine, Ani DiFranco) and by The Red Tree, an illustrated children's book by Shaun Tan. Much like the book, the album reflects the fear and wonder of childhood. It's haunting, sometimes eerie, vivid and often beautiful.

 

The album will be launched at The Point on the 14th of May and will combine Rachel's intimate soundscapes with visual art inspired by the songs. You can expect an intoxicating mix of acoustica, live art and projected images. 

 

Rachel also plays live at the following dates: Folk Club, Bournemouth (27/04), 60 Million Postcards, Bournemouth (19/05), The Beehive, Swindon (21/05), Kelvedon Institute, Essex (13/06), Two Rivers Festival, Chepstow (04/07), Blissfields Festival, Winchester (06/07), Secret Garden Party, Huntingdon (27/07). 

 

Tickets for the Cardiff date are available through Spillers Records (02920 224905/www.spillersrecords.co.uk), Ticketline (02920 230130/www.ticketline.co.uk) and The Point (02920 460873/www.thepointcardiffbay.com) and are £8 in advance and £10 on the door.

 

ends…

 

Save Cardiff Bay's best music venue from the threat of closure - http://www.keepthepointalive.com

 

On The Plug Two Roster: Cerys Matthews, Richard James, Rachel Taylor-Beales, Felicia Atkinson & Sylvain Chauveau, Truckers Of Husk, Cymbient, Drone,  Tapestry Festival, Soft Hearted Scientists,  Spencer McGarry Season, The Voices, Camera,  Green Man Festival

Send Me: 1st Floor, Marine House, 23 Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff, CF10 5DP

Speak To Me: 02920 190141

Email Me: paul@plugtwo.com

MySpace Me: www.myspace.com/paulplugtwo

Look At My Website: www.plugtwo.com

You Can Even Fax Me: 02920 473276