Confusion Blues EP - Pampahoot (Not for Sale Records)
Confusion Blues / Nothing But Grief / This Song Says Goodbye
Pampahoot have been garnering enthusiastic reviews on the local Lancashire pub scene for a while but to my knowledge this is the first time this girl-boy guitar-vocal duo have showcased their talents on vinyl. It only takes a single listen to make you feel very glad indeed that they got round to making the effort.
The titles say it all - three songs by guitarist / backing vocalist Steve Rawlings that dig deep into the complexities of human relationships and don't always come up smelling of roses. Yet, despite this melancholy backdrop, a sense of hope and optimism cuts through the pain and uncertainty, a refusal to allow life's bitter twists of fate to overshadow the sheer exhilaration of living, loving, losing and winning.
The 'uplifting melancholy' subject matter is perfectly captured by the bittersweet vulnerability in lead singer Kate's voice, recalling the fragile beauty of 10,000 Maniacs' Natalie Merchant. However, Kate is very much her own woman, as her distinctive, relaxed vocal delivery proves. Indeed, the two vocalists are uncannily well matched, gelling particularly effortlessly on the chorus of the heartbreaking finale This Song Says Goodbye.
The twin acoustic guitar attack employed by the duo lends a stereo spaciousness to the recordings, creating a warm, glistening twelve-string-like sound. Rawlings' Escher staircase chord structures and tricky time changes are cleverly strung together by virtue of some delicious folk-style fingerpicking and sparkling runs, most notably on the eponymous opener Confusion Blues.
The spare, low-key production gives the recordings an intimate, living room - or bar room - live feel, which is, after all, where this pair are very much at home. We can only hope that Pampahoot will waste no time in brandishing their duelling banjos once again, digging down deep into their emotional mine to unearth further lyrical-musical gems.
The laughing Bhudda
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- Fireseed
- Songwriter, creative thinker, teacher, coach, learner, noodler, changemaker, blogger
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5 comments:
What can I say? The boy Watton got spot on what we're hot on conveying. In an effort to 'unpack' some of the tunes, it might be worth noting that Confucias Blues came about as a direct result of the anxieties of a Korean chick marrying a British fox (liberal descriptors). It's also true that the upbeat melody belies a darker message of hurt and suppression, but, hey, who ain't been there? Culprits' names have been changed so that the innocent may be protected but I still blame the Mrs Reference in the lyric for many a bad karma. All's well that ends well.
As for NBG, song of unrequited love, ultimately, between songwriter and French girl-fiend of exactly 5 years Mr Rawlings' junior. No excuse for attempting to address her cueing action in a game of pool against her ex-boyfriend, but hey, I was young.
This song says goodbye was the heartfelt admissive narrative of a relationship that was going un-down the wall. However hard it may have been for the individual, it won out for the group!
Any requests for additional copies, don't contact Apple.
Dear lovely,smart, and sensible boy Watton, I'm looking forward to your next article. It's my pleasure to read them these days. By the way, my daughter's name is Woosin, not Anna. she is 6years old(or 8years old in Korean way). She likes to call me "Kitty", or something else, but I would rather to be called Anna,or sort of names such as "Susan". Today is raining, but obviousely it's not depressing. I mean, spring is coming, but why, you doesn't feel her gentle touch.., it's not you.
One of your students 'who is not really want to learn'.... See you next week.
Sorry it's "you don't feel..." instead of "you doesn't". Oh, I hate my miserable English, that's why I go to the council twice a week.
or, "You didn't feel..." ?
And, Doncan looks like a good guy, I can read it through his grin(?). I think both of you are natually kind,and very clever. You all likes to seek real meaning of things(maybe I get to know it through your song 'What would you do",and as to Doncan, through "he looks and acts like an old man") and all kinds of beautiful things in our lives.
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