LOCAL CD REVIEWS: Cope and Tait
TWO young Harrogate singer-songwriters, both of whom are appearing The Fringe Crawl Day this July as part of the Harrogate International Festival Fringe. Equally talented, equally romantic, both of them acoustic-based, though very different in tone.
Daniel Cope: Last Chance (album)
HUSHED vocals which lie in the delicate space between acoustic guitar sounds.
The directness of Eliott Smith in those pretty pop riffs but delivered with a slightly folky, finger-picking style with a spring in his step as if Cope was Cat Stevens at his 1970s peak.
Though well-written, arranged and performed throughout, Cope's basic sprightly template does become a little repetitive.
The occasional addition of another instrument, a piano or cello or viola might be a possible answer.
In the meantime, it's impossible to resist the charm of this impressive album's catchiest, loveliest songs, the gorgeous dreamy pop of Into The Light, Moving On, I Believe in You, Last Chance, Then The Day, excellent tracks all.
Graham Chalmers
www.myspace.com/anewsobriety
James Tait: EP
JAMES Tait's weakness is his strength. He sings like a dark version of Richard Hawley with a fragile quiver in his voice but the boldness and vocal power to wring every nuance from every word.
There's a touch of the highway, folk-blues about his circular riffs, the sort of thing invented by Bert Jansch which ended up influencing the likes of Dear Prudence on The Beatles' White Album.
But Tait is no tortured blues man, his lyrics are strictly personal, strictly about girls and romance.
He's a charismatic, travelling troubadour, capable of breaking girls' hearts as well as having his broken.
The four tracks here - Arillas, Folk Song, Plasticine, Jodie - are deliciously sad without being depressing, delving into deep, black feelings with complete self-confidence and a nice tune.
The very first moment I saw this young musician I was instantly transfixed in a way I haven't been by a Harrogate performer in a long time, amazed and spellbound by this amazing singer.
Graham Chalmers
www.myspace.com/jamestaitmusic
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Ripon
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
