Album review: MIRACLE MILE – East of Ely

Order link [Release date 31.05.24]

‘East of Ely’ is Miracle Mile’s first album since 2012, so to say this was eagerly anticipated is an understatement! Miracle Mile comprise of Trevor Jones and Marcus Cliffe, where this record was largely written on the Suffolk coast and later recorded between London and Norfolk.

How to describe the music contained within? Mmm, sophisticated pop? Melodic bliss? A musical refuge? One things for sure ‘East of Ely’ is a classic headphones on, listen to in one sitting kind of album. The lyrics are things of beauty and the musical arrangements transport the listener off to marvellous places.

Trevor Jones has a wonderful way with words – “You taught me how to dance like no-one else was there I came as Eric Morecambe but left as Fred Astaire” on ‘Shivering Boy’, is a perfect example. The song itself is one of those wistful love songs Miracle Mile do so well.

The two singles released ahead of the album, ‘Night Wedding’ and ‘Butterfly Brooch’, give a good indication of what to expect. ‘Night Wedding’ is a lovely song, both lyrically and the piano & musical effects, which should be all over the radio. ‘Butterfly Brooch’ is a quieter affair featuring the soothing vocals of Trevor Jones and sublime lap steel guitar. ‘Chapel Flower Morning’ is another single in waiting with a sublime chorus.

The instrumentals ‘Postcard from Happisburgh’ and ‘Postcard from Walberswick’ feature what one assumes are natural sounds recorded at said locations. Two pieces of calm to keep returning to time and time again.

The spoken word and poetry on ‘Shorebound’ work to a treat. Not sure who joins Trevor on the spoken word parts but they fit the song like a glove.

You can often run out of superlatives for an album and this is case here, as just when you think Miracle Mile had used up their musical magic tricks, along comes ‘Silent Sigh’. Vocals that are literally spine tingling coupled with piano and guitar parts that would make other artists weep in envy.

Miracle Mile took their time on this album and it has been worth the wait with ‘East of Ely’ amongst their best, quite possibly over time and more listening pleasure, their finest. ****1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

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.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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 3 November 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 29 October 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 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)