Share the post "Album review: LISBEE STAINTON – Word Games"
Marionet Music [Release date 04.11.13]
After the excellent Girl On An Unmade Bed (2010), Lisbee Stainton’s last album Go (2011) fell a little short of expectations (with the exception of the wonderful single Wrench).
Retreating to Monnow Valley Studios in Monmouth, South Wales with producer Mikko Gordon (Lana Del Ray, Chris Difford) to record the next chapter of her recording career, you get the impression Lisbee Stainton is still trying to find her niche.
Having become a fixture in Seth Lakeman’s band - contributing vocals, banjo, harmonium, guitar and harmonica – Lakeman returns the favour on Word Games contributing two co-writes (Madron’s Journey, and the plaintive The Journey) as well as vocals, viola and bouzouki throughout.
GRTR! favourite Eleanor McEvoy also guests on violin and the co-written Make Me Stay (on the typical McEvoy subject of seduction), and tour guitarist Simon Johnson co-wrote the catchy opening number and lead single Red Dog Running. Somewhat ironically, McEvoy opens for the Stainton on a nine date UK tour in November.
Whether it’s the influence of more established artists, it’s hard to say, but certainly, Word Games, seems to have brought a new maturity to Lisbee Stainton’s work and a return to the form of Girl On An Unmade Bed.
While far from being a folk album, Stainton’s brand of acoustic, adult orientated pop takes several steps in that direction and in that sense, the album is an unqualified success – light, breezy, and easy on the ear with a rediscovered depth – the wistful The Poppy, being a prime example.
You get the sense that Lisbee Stainton has perhaps come of age with this album, although it’s still difficult to see where major sales are going to come from. But that’s more of a reflection on the state of the music business in the digital era. ***1/2
Review by Pete Whalley
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "Album review: LISBEE STAINTON – Word Games"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
