The quality lockdown releases are coming thick and fast. With the lack of ability to go crate digging in these times, I’m relying on one of my favourite people just now, the postman, to bring me my regular fix.
This week has seen a few quality releases drop on the doormat including the new 4 track live EP from The Countess of Fife. The EP dropped hot on the heels of their debut online live performance, and arrived with me just shy of last nights second such event. This was one of the best online sets I’ve seen since I started attending remote gigs…
Powerful rich vocal
I first heard the band when they supported Goodbye Mr MacKenzie on their triumphant return to Glasgow’s Garage last May when I wrote: “The Countess of Fife, the band fronted by Fay Fife of Rezillos fame, still drew a substantial crowd. They were deservedly treated to a glorious set of country-punk tunes. Ms Fife was in fine fettle; she has a powerful rich vocal that can stand shoulder to shoulder with 60s legends like Sandie Shaw and Dusty Springfield. A more than welcome start to the evening’s festivities.”
Despite loving their set, that was the last time I managed to get to one of their gigs, so the two online sets and the EP have been most welcome.
The four tracks on the EP showcase the breadth and depth of the band’s talent.
First up we have Humans are a Bad Breed, a track that exudes attitude and has an overall element of all-pervading darkness, with almost a country style Cramps feel to it.
Moving right over to the country side of the band’s repertoire, in both sound and lyrical content, the magnificent Take Me to the Grave feels like The Countess of Fife’s homage to the classic Will the Circle Be Unbroken.
Angel in My Pocket
The music of this band showcases just how powerful and rich a voice Fay possesses. The range and luxuriant resonance across the tracks is unbounded. Angel in My Pocket would bring a tear to a glass eye. Classic Hammond organ sounds and Fay’s glorious vocal combine with Allan McDowall’s singing guitars to create a perfect storm to play with your emotions.
Don’t Dress Me Up closes the EP in triumphant fashion. Twangy guitars, organ and a compelling rhythm creating the ideal soundtrack for the defiance of the song’s lyrics. Wonderful.
Hopefully, there will be more of their online gigs in the absence of the real thing.
We deserve a full-length long player of Countess of Fife tunes, so if you haven’t already done so, get your wallets open and buy this EP and help fund an album.
The Countess of Fife bandcamp