Combine a hefty dose of nostalgia with a mix of jazz and toe-tapping rhythms and you’ve got yourself A Peck Of Dirt, the brand new album from Fanny And The Atta Boys.
Released on March 24 with support from Heyday Media Group, this is an album of sounds that are sure to pack any old-time dance floor.
Before you read on, Fanny and the Atta Boys is giving a FREE download of “Simple Love” from the album, to Angry Baby readers. If you’re not already subscribed to Angry Baby, just pop the email address that you’d like it delivered to here and it will be on its way to you straight away, together with a bumper collection of music that has been shared by Angry Baby. The music comes from outstanding artists that you may not have heard before. With a mix of rock, pop, folk…you name it…there’s bound to be something new that floats your musical boat, and all for free! What’s not to like about that?!
Characterising the depression-era jazz that influences their music, the powerful vocals of Fanny and Natt Wise bring energy to the band’s simple yet enticing arrangements. Opening with signature single “Simple Love”, Fanny sets out to beguile with her laid-back vibe. She picks up in “Sugar Moon”, with orchestration that foretells the swing of the big band era, and raises her game yet again in “Sold My Soul”. Without a sign of remorse for the deal, Fanny’s vocals decorate traditional arrangements, proving that she is a front-woman to be reckoned with and respected.
Get your jitterbug on with “You Won’t Change Me”, an instrumental pick-me-up, shaking out a break-up song that definitely skips over the heartache. If you had any doubts that those Atta Boys can hold a tune, check out the counter-melody. It takes skill to make something so simple sound so good. Can’t bear to leave the dance floor? Skip to “Heart Of Gold” for a musical work-out that’ll put a smile on your face and a blister on your heel, or fast forward to a wartime vibe with “Oh The Band’s A-Rockin”. It may be Dame Vera Lynn’s centenary this year, but she’d find something familiar from her heyday in this new release.
Echoing early gospel roots, it’s impossible to listen to “Lord Hold Me” without recalling the Coen Brothers’ fabulous treatment of bluegrass in their iconic movie “Oh Brother Where Art Thou”. That’s no bad thing, since the soundtrack won a Grammy for Album Of The Year back in 2001.
There’s country flowing through this album too, from the freight-train tempo of “Sunshine” to the cheery banjo and guitar-infused confection of “Restrictions” with the mood-swinging lyric “things have been worse..but things could be a damn sight better”.
And don’t forget your helping of blues too. “Fanny’s Blues” may be reminiscent of past eras, but her story of endless trials is timeless. “Erie Lullabye”, spooky and sinister, gives the blues another outing with a hint of Scoobie Doo in the twang of the tune. Cleverly arranged with contemporary hints woven into period melody, Fanny and her boys know how to intrigue. Every listen brings something new to excite the ears.
Brace yourself for the finale. “Miles To Roam” hits with an a-capella gospel intro that places Fanny’s voice into an altogether different league. Classy and turbo-charged, these vocals demand attention and applause. The perfect combination of blues/jazz/country to conclude an album that must, surely, take a place in the roster of roots music.
Oh, and…spoiler alert..there’s a cheeky little extra, right at the end of the album!
Vocalist Natt Wise’s advice for anyone just starting out with their music celebrates variety:
“For someone who is just starting out their music career, I’d have to say approach music as you would a buffet. There is so many genres of music don’t limit yourself to one style. Try a little of everything and see what your taste buds desire. Never be afraid to be told no as well, as a musician and performer you want your music to be heard. It’s never that easy. Be persistent and don’t get down on yourself if you can’t be heard.”
Grab your copy of A Peck Of Dirt from their bandcamp site here and follow Fanny And The Atta Boys on:
