Off Off On

I have enjoyed their previous 2 albums and seeing the band in a memorable live concert a few years ago at the intimate Trades Club in Hebden Bridge. This album is a further development with Kate Stables as the main songwriter and singer, supported by her regular band. This continues a steady evolution of their sound, banjo to the fore in the mix makes them sound a bit different and distinct from many other bands around.This album was recorded at the famous Real World Studios near Bath in March this year as the Coronavirus pandemic was starting to take hold. The sound is fairly dense, with the interesting addition of a tuneful 4 piece horn section arrangements on 4 tracks which gives a fuller sound and swing feel to this album. It was produced by Josh Kaufman who was also responsible for one of my favorite albums of this year with the Bonny Light Horseman trio album which I can highly recommend, that is much more folky in its feel.One minor creative criticism is that there are no lyrics reproduced for the songs, which would have been nice to have as additional support and information. Kate Stables has a child like vocal delivery, almost spoken at times, conversational, but at other times stretching out. simple but effective. The band get into a well oiled groove on most tracks, with the rest of the band all adding backing vocals, but bass player Rozi Leyden( ne Plain) providing the lions share, sometimes with a call and response type dialogue with Kate's lead vocal that is complementary and works well together.With previous albums I have found repeated listens reveal more intricate subtleties , and their records are definite growers, so after just half a dozen plays in, it is still early days, but if you enjoyed the previous 2 albums you will like this too. They have a unique sound which is instantly identifiable, and have created a distinctive niche for themselves in the current music scene. In a brief interview I read in Mojo magazine Kate says she is missing playing these songs live in front of an audience, but I guess that is the case for nearly all musicians in these strange Covid lockdown times that we currently find ourselves in.So this is a fine new album to enjoy at home ,wetting your appetite for seeing the band in concert maybe sometime next year, if the world ever returns to something like normal. All 11 tracks are strong, and hang together well as a whole album to listen to in one sitting, and this is definitely up there with my previous favorite of the band Bashed Out, which I can also highly recommend. Enjoy this intriguing classy new album from the band.

Fabulous music. Thoughtful and well written songs, lovely voice, great musicians...,And..., fabulous production and recording. The detail and quality of the recording, mixing and mastering is superb.A joy to listen to. Nice one, Kate.

Like ? Consistency and its quite a personal album, Although I find something new every time I hear it. However I am still waiting for the follow up to the Brilliant ' Hotter Colder' from Moonshine Freeze. I suspect lockdown prevents it as you won't get that spontaneity and production without a collective band contribution. Hotter Colder.., a sax solo and horn section, and space in the music adding suspense.. Just brilliant !!

I absolutely love Kate Stables and this band. This is my 3rd C.D by the group having purchased Moonshine Freeze and Bashed Out, after seeing them playing onstage in a club, on a TV series called Wanderlust (which was also good) not a bad track and the sound quality of the production and engineering is Superb. If you have a good hi fi buy it for this alone ! Get a listen to this group. Folk Rock as I can best describe them. Great musicians and Kate has the voice of an Angel.

Have been listening and going to see this band (and Rozi Plain) for a few years now, I think this is their best album so far. I love the added brass section and my only niggle is the 'noisy guitar' such as on 'This is what you did' which is also annoying when seeing them live. I think this guitar works really well in the background but up front it just sounds noisy and out of place. I speak as a former sound engineer and lover of music - which didn't always work (!)

Yet another amazing album from Kate Stables. She says what we feel deep inside but are too scared or confused to say. A true word Smith & mind magician. Kate's superb voice is as natural as birdsong, a delight that lifts the senses...

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Incredible album. Kate stables in my opinion is one of the best song writers and vocalists ever.