Quick plays: CHRIS DUARTE, THE FLYING SYMBOLS, SANSOME & QUINN

April 5th, 2023 by jason

CHRIS DUARTE Ain’t Giving Up Mascot Records [Release date 07.04.23]

Blues-roots guitarist Chris Duarte releases this, his 15th studio album. It also marks the first time in 22 years Duarte has worked with producer-guitarist Dennis Herring (Buddy Guy, Modest Mouse, Elvis Costello). “I am so grateful to be signed to Provogue and to work with Dennis again—it’s been a dream come true,” Duarte enthuses. “I have been so fortunate to play music and do my thing for almost 30 years, and I couldn’t ask for a better life.”

You can’t knock the playing, however, the rather long (to these ears at least!) guitar solos do seem overegged at times. That said, ‘Weak Days’ is a wonderfully slow blues workout and ‘Bye, Bye, Bye’ is a rip snorting bit of rocking blues.

If you liked any of his previous albums you’ll doubtless love this, just can’t see it winning over many casual blues and roots fans. ***

THE FLYING SYMBOLS On Our Own Facebook [Release date 15.04.23]

The Flying Symbols are a four piece rock band based in the Hertfordshire/Essex border who formed in 2o21, although the various band members have plenty of experience in other bands. The line-up consists of vocalist Pete Cornell, bassist John Clements, guitarist Joe Boutell and drummer Mat Drewing.

Their debut single ‘Serial Killer’ is a decent hard rocker complete with an amusing video on YouTube. ‘Blue Skies’ is a blues rocker with some serious soloing from Joe Boutell, whilst ‘Stalker’ is a creepy little song and the stand out track. Bizarrely Pixies vocalist Frank Black came to mind on this one!

Touch of southern rock on ‘Veins’, with a punk feel to ‘Magic Roundabout’ (that does include the chidren’s TV programme’s theme tune as the main riff!) and perhaps there lies their issue, the need to hone a sound they are happy with. Both are good tunes though and sure to be live staples.

The production lacks a bit of punch, sounding subdued in places (‘Joker’ being a prime example) and the vocals don’t quite do it for this listener. A solid debut by the Flying Symbols. **1/2

GEORGE SANSOME & MATT QUINN Sheffield Park Bandcamp [Release date 28.04.23]

George Sansome (Granny’s Attic, Queer Folk) and Matt Quinn (Dovetail Trio) have teamed-up for this album of traditional folk tunes from the British Isles. The album was recorded live at the Keystone, Sheffield by Tom Wright (who weaved his sound & production magic on the recent Lizzy Hardingham album).

The album works best when they sing as a duo as can be heard on ‘Tyne Of Harrow’ and ‘I Live Not Where I Love’. For some reason ‘The Fox and the Grey Goose’ doesn’t seem to flow naturally, which is a shame as it is a folk staple. Worth investigating to hear their take on the epic ‘The Death of Andrew’, a traditional song adapted by Martin Carthy.

With just added mandolin and guitar on some tracks it is a stripped back to basics affair.

Traditional folk that will delight folk traditionalists and Sansome & Quinn work well as a vocal duo. Unlikely to trouble the album charts but this fine duo will be a hit on the folk clubs and festival circuit. ***

Reviews by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)