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Fini Bearman: Burn The Boat
ByBearman's talent as a vocalist is clear from Porgy And Bess, where George Gershwin provided the tunes. What's immediately apparent on Burn The Boat is Bearman's own commanding ability as a writer. From the drama of "Sand On Sand" to the poppy "Gone" and the grungy, unsettling rawness of the title trackwith Nick Costley-White's guitar, Conor Chaplin's bass and Dave Hamblett's drums laying down a suitably earthy backingshe's on top compositional form.
She also has a talent for crafting melodies in sympathy with the words of others; three of the tracks here are based on poems: Lisbon's Fernando Pessoa, whose work also appeared on Step Up with "I Know, I Alone"; Langston Hughes' "The Idea"; and e.e.cummings' "Such A Fool." It's also notable that, while Bearman often favours multi-tracked vocalsan approach that seems to be undergoing something of a revival these daysshe avoids the trap of using technology for its own sake. Each vocal layer retains its humanity and emotional connection.
But it's another solo composition, "I'd Rather Have The Rain," that really strikes home. A beautiful ballad, sung exquisitely by Bearman and benefitting from the fluid and romantic backing of the band, the lyrics suggest the absence of a lover or perhaps the loss of love. Costley-White's acoustic guitar, Hamblett's brushes and Matt Robinson's piano are in complete sympathy with both voice and lyric. OK, it takes a few decades to really establish a song as a classic, but this one is already well on its way.
Track Listing
Sand On Sand; Burn The Boat; Gone; I’d Rather Have The Rain; I Know, I Alone; Maybe Next Year; The Idea; Say The Words; Such A Fool.
Personnel
Fini Bearman
vocalsFini Bearman: vocals; Matt Robinson: piano, Fender Rhodes, synthesizers; Nick Costley-White: guitar; Conor Chaplin: bass; Dave Hamblett: drums; Natalie Williams: backing vocals (8).
Album information
Title: Burn The Boat | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Two Rivers Records
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