"Next time that you need me, don't call me up, Emily. I'm tired of your lies and your cheating ways with me. And every time you go, please don't let me know"
Imagine driving through thick traffic on a Friday evening. All the company you have is the radio and a car full of junk that you are moving 300 miles across the country. You're listening to Virgin Radio and so far it has been the normal sing along driving anthems that you love. Then something different comes along; melancholy lyrics a catchy tune, a pop song? Not quite, there are allusions to rock and hints of something more jazzy.
That was the first time I heard Stephen Fretwell's "Emily" - and at that point I knew I liked it.
At that time (around 6 moths ago) Stephen Fretwell wasn't widely heard of outside of Manchester - but since then, with appearances at the "V festival" over the summer, and more recently (October 9th) on "Top of the Pops" singing his latest single "New York", he as become a "somebody".
Fretwell grew up in Scunthorpe, later moved to Salford to study, and then on to Manchester to fulfil his dreams of being a singer/songwriter. Although his song writing career started by borrowing his grandparents old guitar, at the age of 23 Fretwell recorded
the album "magpie" in Abbey Road Studios under the recording label "Friction Records".
I bought "Magpie" during the summer, and still have it playing in my car regularly. Although My favourite songs are all in the first half of the album, there is not a single song on there that I would skip. Here is an over view of each song:
1. Do You Want to Come With?
"Green eyed monsters, on the shore, Playing hand in hand. I'd love to give them, All they need, And leave them all dancing, Hand in hand. " Slow, bluesy and lilting. Almost meditation music.
2. What's That You Say Little Girl
"What's that you say little girl? What's that you say about the world, falling through? What could I do?" Quite up lifting tune, but quite bitter lyrics.
3. Run
"Beutiful tree, Beautiful tree, Beautiful tree, It's a shame that the root of it's me" My personal favourite. Catchy chorus, quite positive in some ways.
4. Bad Bad You, Bad Bad Me
"Bad Bad You, Bad Bad Me, Is all we'll be left with, anyway" Rhythm carries this song though, very simple.
5. Rose
"I'll Buy you a rose, and make it a nice day I'll buy you a yellow rose and make it a nice day" Female vocals added. A very gentle song.
6. Lost Without You
"Please don't think too much, because I think too much, and it kills me, like a needle to my bones…." Lovely instrumentals in this song.
7. Emily
"You never were gonna change your mind were you Emily?" The most pop like song on the album. Catchy, but quite bitter.
8. Lines
"Of your eyes, I think I've seen them once or twice" Lovely Harmonica played in this track.
9. Play
"There must be something in the water tonight, little girl, you just don't look right" Another lovely piano instrumental.
10. Brother
"Lino table tops, cowboy teas. Always enough for you, always enough for me" An up beat song about memories and change.
11. New York
"Please can we go away, get out of here, somehow today, To a place I've heard on the radio, never sleeps." Criticised by some for the swearing, but it is a very emotional, powerful song, also his latest single.
12. - (bonus track)
"Saw you dancing, you moved like Sinatra on speed" Classic piano song, almost 1940's style Jazzy melody.
13. Rain (bonus track)
"The rain in this town falls on the ground, by me, by you. The rain in my shoe, soaks right through, all eyes on you." Short and simple, highly instrumental.
14. If You Go (bonus track)
"Well it's a start, and you'll get where your going. Still I don't believe you" Lovely brass instrumental , influences of Swing and Big Band Jazz.
Fretwell has a huge element of honesty in his songs, which as a singer/songwriter myself, I admire. "Magpie" has been criticised for the songs sounding to samey, however I think that this is what makes an artist, his songs are his and they all sound like his. I would argue that despite their sometime similar sound, there are some surprises in songs such as the harmonica, which contrasts well with his northern accent and the Country sound in some of his songs. This is a very emotional album, but unlike many popular albums it is not just hanging on one emotion, there are bitter songs, contented songs, passionate and angry lyrics.
The Album design is some what odd - but corresponds with the design of his website. I believe that all the items surrounding Fretwell, including an animal skull, a chandelier and a grape vine, are related either to him personally, or to songs on the album. The sleeve doesn't contain full lyrics for each song, but does give you a scrawled handwritten taster for most of the songs and includes photographs of Fretwell and some more random objects. The design compliments the content of the songs well, it is thought provoking and personal.
Fretwell says that his inspiration comes from the likes of Dylan, The Beetles and from Jazz and Swing, however I would say that there is more than just inspiration from these styles that goes into his songs. Because of this originality it is very difficult to say, "if you like this, you'll like "Magpie", and I feel that this is his only negative point about the album. What I can say is that if you like originality, passionate song writing or jazz, I fell that you aught to have a listen and see if you like it. Visit Fretwells website where you can listen to some of the songs from the album. http://www.stephenfretwell.com/
Pictures of Magpie - Stephen Fretwell
Website
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