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The F Spot Femmes Fatales

by Various Artists

/
  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    4* Review from The Telegraph and inclusion in their Top Folk Albums of 2015 ! Recommendation from The Sunday Times in their Culture section. As played on BBC Radio 2, Radio 3 and BBC 6 Music, as well as many other wonderful independent radio shows. Beautiful artwork from Amy Pettingill creates a four page booklet for this jewel case presentation cd.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The F Spot Femmes Fatales via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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1.
2.
Butterfly – lyrics Roxanne de Bastion To make a Butterfly land on me It always passes by, flies freely How can she not know I'd take care? How can she not know I'd be good for her? I tried to win your love, but it did go to waste We get along so well, you must not like my face... How can she not know I'd take care? How can she not know I'd be good for her? With every word I wrote I gave a piece of me They now stick in my throat, you spat them back at me How can she not know I'd take care? How can she not know I'd be good for her?
3.
Going round the bend was far too smooth Up the wall's a fine line From on the ground Cracked so far beyond the help of glue A million shards of sanity Scattered all around All the places that I could have been All the sights my sorry eyes might have seen But nothing can compare with The feeling of not feeling anything at all I might've lost my mind But from all that I can find There wasn't much in the first place anyway Maybe I'll spend my time Wishing for what once was mine All for a moment's madness one day Nothing seems to be the way it was Maybe that's because the way it was Is not the way it is A man is nothing more than what he does So why do we have ears that hear Each useless word he says Memories are playing in reverse A silent movie with no yarn To keep it all afloat Some think hearing but not listening's not a curse But when you hear the music play you can't Recall a single note
4.
5.
We leave you alone, to pick over the bones of an empire As you self-implode, after nights spent un-weaving your own gold And she is furious. She wanted to be your undoing And she is furious. Because you always get there first. Just look around, who knew they’d build castles here? And just let it out that your princes fall for thimbles now. And we are furious. We wanted to be your undoing. And we are furious. Because you always get there first. And I will work your fingers to the bone for this one Because when morning comes you wont be able to guess That if you set alight to one then they’ll just all burn. I can promise. Who knew they’d build castles here? Who knew they’d build castles here? You’ll watch your Princes fall for thimbles.
6.
7.
There's a sound in the air tonight, as through the snow we tread. It's the sound of a crying boy, wanting his mama's bed. And his hands are shivering, and white from the cold, and his nose is red. 'Darling you're a big boy, and you're being good boy, we're almost home', she said. There's no hurry for me to have my own son too, there's no hurry, but Keilan, are you coming to me soon? Keilan can you hear me, Keilan can you hear me when I think of you? Keilan are you coming boy, I'm waiting for you. There's a sound in the shanty towns, as the sunlight burns the street. It's the sound of a laughing boy, with nothing upon his feet. And his mother invites me in, she says 'Take a seat. Can I get you a drink, and I don't have much but I'd love you to eat with me.' And there's rags at her windows, but she doesn't care for those, 'My son is healthy and free', she says, 'what more do I need?' There's no hurry for me to have my own son too, there's no hurry, but Keilan, are you coming to me soon? Keilan can you hear me, Keilan can you hear me when I think of you? Keilan are you coming boy, I'm waiting for you. There's a sound in the air tonight, as through the snow we tread. It's the sound of a crying boy, wanting his mama's bed. Keilan can you hear me, Keilan are you listening when I think of you? Keilan, are you? There's no hurry for me to have my own son too, there's no hurry, but Keilan, are you coming to me soon? Keilan can you hear me, Keilan can you hear me when I think of you? Keilan are you coming boy, I'm waiting for you.
8.
Fake Wonderland (for a wealthy man I happen to know) In your suite that overlooks the Winter Wonderland you are standing far above Hyde Park Pumping beats pollute the evening air neon towers glitter in the dark Chorus: Fake wonderland, vanity fair I understand you, you stand and stare Money will buy nothing that lasts Rumours abound about your past Who will be the Alice to fall in your Wonderland now you've parted ways with Queen of Hearts? Like the little mermaid, she'll be walking on shards stepping through the broken looking-glass In this world of mirrors I'm forgettng what is real clinging to ambition, mixed with fear I recall a place where I could say what I feel but it must be far away from here
9.
The Mississippi Woman Did you ever hear the tale of the Mississippi woman? She was washing her clothes in the waters one day Then the angel of the lord came down and said “There's gonna be some changes around here” And he washed all her clothes away There's comfort in soft bare skin Warmth in the sun But the tale of the Mississippi woman wasn't told by anyone She made clothes from the rushes and a bed down by the willow And when darkness came the riverbank made for her a pillow Then the angel of the lord came down and said “now you are free” And she said “lord, make a man out of me, lord, make a man out of me” There's comfort in soft bare skin Warmth in the sun But the tale of the Mississippi woman wasn't told by anyone “Take of my golden hair, take of my fingernails Make something strong from something flowing, something frail” Then the angel of the lord came down and he took of her golden hair And where there were only willows Now a man was standing there There's comfort in soft bare skin Warmth in the sun But the tale of the Mississippi woman wasn't told by anyone “What is this river here? What is this naked shame? Where is my maker and won't he tell to me my name?” Well the angel of the lord now being nowhere to be seen she said: “I am your maker and now you'll abide with me And we'll make clothes from the rushes and a bed down by the willow And the side from which you came my love will serve you as a pillow” Now there's comfort in soft bare skin Warmth in the sun But the tale of the Mississippi woman wasn't told by anyone
10.
Blue Spiral Screams The air is cool tonight And we are born to fight, And the sun will rise, In blood - It's us or them, Cherish each season our people remain free, Curse the dark ones from the south let blood stain iron today, As we are born to kill, They'll never take our lands. Senses swathed in blood, The thrill - The hunters call, The sound of iron on bone Fine tuned to every fight, Cherish each season our ever lasting fight, Oh Morrigan can save us still we fight for freedoms light, Fine tuned, we're set to kill, They'll never see the dawn. We'll never be enslaved, Your chains are not for us, Your taxes and your laws, Will fail - We'll not be owned! Silently we'll watch the God's and plan the time to strike! And we'll feed the crows your bones, or with honour we'll die! Blue spiral screams we charge! What will the battle bring? Airmid, Arawn, Cailleach, Macha, Morrigan, Anu, Babd Catha x 2 And I release the Hare, I call Andraste's will, The turning of the Hare will tell our fate or fall. Come now brothers, kin and lovers! Wrought upon the might, Come now brothers, kin and lovers, Victory or die. Blue spiral screams we fall, Our mother land will die. Morrigan, Cailleach, Babd Catha

about

"It is reported that only 13 per cent of songs registered with the Performing Right Society are by women songwriters. Which makes The F Spot both a statement of intent and a welcome piece of music. There are 10 songs by 10 different 'femmes fatales' and they are of a consistently high standard, whether from a trailblazer such as Peggy Seeger (Don't You Know How Lucky You Are) or a young London student called Kaity Rae (It Is). I liked the anti-war song from Norfolk's Marina Florance but there is much to enjoy in a variety of styles and approaches from Daria Kulesh, Fay Brotherhood, Minnie Birch and Zoë Wren. All the tracks are produced by Lauren Deakin Davies (except for Seeger's, which was produced by Calum MacColl) and there is an original album artwork from Amy Pettingill.
Particular mentions for Kelly Oliver’s folk-rock inspired Keilan Are You Coming, Maz O’Connor's impressive Mississippi Woman and Roxanne de Bastion’s lovely singing on Butterfly. The album is from progressive British label Folkstock". Martin Chilton, The Telegraph

“It may be a small operation, but British label Folkstock has become shop window for an impressive roster of youthful singer songwriters who roam far beyond the borders of the traditional repertoire.
Maz O’Connor has already made her mark on the national stage, she makes a typically atmospheric contribution on The Mississippi Woman. The stand out number though, has to be Butterfly, an astonishingly assured song from Roxanne de Bastion. The precocious Kaity Rae with It Is, runs a very close second” Clive Davis, The Sunday Times 15/03/15


Tom Robinson live on BBC 6 Music.
“as promised, the latest release from Folkstock Records features nine exclusive songs by female songwriters associated with the label plus the tune we are about to hear....it begins with this belter from Peggy Seeger ...it’s there to bang the drum a bit, because women are massively under represented in the music industry.. it’s quite hard.. there is a big glass ceiling so Helen Meissner from Folkstock, bless her, is doing something about it and she suggested that we should celebrate International Women’s Day when her record comes out and I think that’s a great idea, so that’s is exactly what we are going to do.
So you, dear listener, get to choose the tracks we play on our all female Now Playing at 6 on 8th march.... label. “ Peggy Seeger’s You Don’t Know How Lucky You Are is the opening track on a new compilation from the boutique label Folkstock Records..label boss Helen Meissner says she wants to champion female songwriters with this release and bang the drum a bit especially as we have a female producer Lauren Deakin Davies who has produced all the other tracks on this fine compilation of grass roots female artists. And many thanks to Helen for pointing out to me in good time that todays show falls in International Women’s Day, which is why the whole show celebrates women;, women’s achievement, women’s pride and womens’ struggle.”
F-Spot Femmes Fatales exploring the exciting fringes of folk today with confidence

Folk music is unlike Coca-Cola.

Folk has many flavours which many can appreciate, unlike the one (maybe two)varieties that most people love of coke and the other brands which the rest of the people suffer with and pretend to enjoy.

It is these varieties of folk: the songstress in the smoky bar, the high tones of the dancing maiden, and the gravel-chewing character who has worked everywhere and felt he has got nowhere, that make folk a good life companion. Variety is always good, and that is why for a change I've decided to have a look at The F Sport Femmes Fatales, a compilation album put together by FolkStock Records. It was first released in March 2015 but is due a reconsideration ahead of the exciting "London Folk & Roots" Festival where several of the artists will be playing.

Folkstock came out of some excellent work that Helen Meissner did as a development project showcasing 77 artists and helped create a new scene and a co-operative for independent musicians to share ideas and publicise albums within. It is a fairly new festival but earnest in it's goals to foster and share the talents of diverse acts, and since Helen's daughter Lauren became involved in the music production, it has become Folkstock Records a label it's own right. The festival made it into the finals of the UK Festival Awards in 2013 for "Best New Festival" and Folkstock Arts Foundation was a finalist for the Best Community Company award too, so worth a look.

Of course, Folkstock is blessed by having the legendary Peggy Seeger and Dave Swarbrick as their patrons. Swarbrick sees the importance of young artists having a role model and guiding figure on the path into music, "In my younger days the then scene was blessed with the like of Joe Boyd, Helen has picked up where Joe left off." It is hard to disagree, television and media make fame attractive to younger people. These successful artists are shaping a community and encouragement particularly in a time which seems extremely harsh to the prospects of young people.

With these mentors and early accolades, Folkstock gives new artists a chance to shine. Peter Taranaski SheDancesinthemind blog shedancesinthemind.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/the-f-spot-femme-fatales-folksy-feisty.html

"Femmes Fatales" is opened by a veteran performer, Peggy Seeger, with "You Don’t Know How Lucky You Are" and who brings a certain gravitas to the recording, letting you know that this is going to be an album that is rich on purpose and that the artists aren’t just hear because of gender, they are all linked by being songwriters with something to say.

Some of the songs are more of a personal expression, whilst other songs touch on wider experiences bringing in subjects such as war and inequality of a damned sight more things than gender, such as social justice and striving for a society that is based on merit. The things that the songs have in common, no matter the writing style and content is strength, that’s strength in both how the songs are put together as well as presented.

This is an album that celebrates standing up for and being yourself, no matter how much effort that takes. More importantly it does so in a way that not only makes you think, but also entertains. It’s very easy to relate to the themes and characters that are delivered by the ten artists on this compilation.

You can see the mother looking wistfully at the photograph of her soldier son, the simplicity of faith overcoming the oppression of slavery and the suppression of cultures. This is an album of tales and stories. It’s rich in symbols and high in inspiration, both absorbed by the performers and the way they’ve taken those influences and turned them into something special.

In someways I’d like to give you a track by track breakdown of the ten exceptional artists that make up this compilation, but the reality is, I’m just going to point you in the direction, it’s down to you to make the discoveries, all I’ll say is that it’s a journey well worth the effort".

Neil King - FATEA

"Folkstock have pulled off quite a coup with the highly respected Peggy Seeger taking part..But then it's not entirely a surprise when you consider she was involved in their Armistice Pals album; the label is allying itself to International Women's Day and of course the tracks are all from femmes..There isn't a weak track on this album and if there is a better album around to encompass the ideals of IWD then it would be interesting to know what it is.
Judging by this and the last album from the Femmes Fatales stable then you have to face the fact, all the fillies are thoroughbreds" folkall.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/various-artists.html

The F Spot Femmes Fatales
Strong, sensuous, fascinating and feminine, this compilation of ten compelling self penned songs from women is being released on Folkstock Records on International Womens' Day.

This is not just any album full to the brim with female singer songwriting talent. It’s been lovingly conceived, curated and produced to show many different aspects of the feminine psyche.
Lose yourself in the songs and let this album challenge your assumptions.
Have you considered how sultry a singer in her 80th year can sound ? track one on this stunning selection will make your jaw drop. Delivered with panache and humour this track was the one which stood out for us on Peggy Seeger’s recent album Everything Changes, and it was our mission to entice Peggy to let us use it to open this compilation ! so you can imagine how thrilled we are
Lyrics such as “I am not just any women, looking for any man, and I don’t intend to change me to fit into your plans. I am a hell of an angel and you’d better give a damn, you don’t know how lucky you are”
Have you ever heard the story of the Mississippi woman ? this strong and wryly observed alternative creation story by Maz O’Connor is the penultimate track on the album and delivered with purity which belies the message, it captures your heart and lyrics such as “She made clothes from the rushes and a bed down by the willow
And when darkness came the riverbank made for her a pillow
Then the angel of the lord came down and said “now you are free”
And she said “lord, make a man out of me, lord, make a man out of me” capture your mind.

www.1inmusic.com/folkstock-records/

Did you know that only 13% of songs registered with PRS are by female songwriters ? Let us smash these limiting statistics and inspire a generation of women. We hope that this distinctive selection of bright fresh female singer songwriters will enlighten and empower with its raw honesty and emotion.

credits

released March 8, 2015

As on the tracks.
All tracks produced by Lauren Deakin Davies except for Track 1 which was produced by Calum MacColl

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Folkstock Records UK

Boutique label releasing handpicked singer songwriters from the Folkstock fold.
Most engineering, mixing and mastering by Lauren Deakin Davies.
Except Bright Season by Bright Season - released 31st May 2014
The F Spot by Friends of Folkstock - release date 17th May 2014
Passing the Baton - Swarb and Folkstock friends - 5th April 2014
Debut EP release from Kelly Oliver on 26.11.13. Far From Home
... more

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