Those who pledged to Fay Fife & Co’s Kickstarter campaign will be delighted to finally hear the realisation of the fruits of The Countess of Fife’s labours with the release of the CD and digital versions of the album Star of the Sea*, and a launch gig in Glasgow’s Glad Cafe on Friday.
If you haven’t been fortunate to pick up on this project so far from the fireball of frantic energy who is the spirited front woman of the mighty Rezillos alongside Eugene Reynolds, The Countess of Fife is an altogether different proposition from the interstellar punk ‘n’ roll of The Rezillos.
Losing absolutely none of the punk attitude Ms Fife is known for, the music of The Countess of Fife has its foundations firmly planted on the world of roots and country. You could call it cowpunk or country punk if you want, but whatever the label you give it, Star of the Sea fizzes with confident poise and brio from the first bars of Wandering Star and it’s soaring chorus (in case you’re wondering, not the song made famous by the gruff voice of Lee Marvin) and never lets you down all the way through the nine impeccable songs right to the albums closer, Don’t Dress Me Up. The album is positively brimming with twanging geetars and has Fay’s unique characterful style stamped all over it.
This band allows Fay’s powerful voice to soar in epic fashion, her vocals overflowing with passionate emotion, ranging from understated tenderness to ardent power. Fay has a voice that in my opinion is vastly underrated, the caliber and punchy clout of her gloriously honeyed vocals are given an impeccable platform here, partnered by the accomplished playing of Lord McDowall and Co. and showcased by the wonderful production qualities of the record.
There are songs here you may be familiar with from the Live EP or some of the online gigs the band played during lockdown, such as Humans are a Bad Breed, dripping with seething attitude and veiled with a certain darkness, giving it almost a country style Cramps feel.
Don’t Dress Me Up closes the album in gloriously conquering style with its compelling rhythm and defiant lyric soundtracked by twangy guitars and affecting organ.
Elsewhere the songs swoop and soar with a bright luminescence, Empty Headed taking up the baton from Wandering Star in blistering fashion, guitars vibrating and brushed drums backing up the feisty and strident vocal while Trapped has a decidedly poignant feel to it, with a lyric and vocal that are more than a little emotionally charged. Sixteen is one of the most powerful songs lyrically, and rollickingly rambunctious musically with a beautiful backing vocal courtesy of Kirsten Adamson.
Steel guitar adds an extra layer of atmosphere to the wonderful Goodbye Motorbike Guy, while poignant keyboards & strings and softly brushed drums give Let This Night Be Over an overall air of beautiful maudlin sadness. Penultimate song Second Fiddle is an upbeat barnstormer, fittingly all fiddles and a rhythm that will have your feet tapping, itching to dance.
I’ve got my ticket for the intimate settings of the south side’s welcoming venue, The Glad Cafe, this Friday (18th November) which has all the hallmarks of being a superb and memorable night.
*(If you pledged for the vinyl this will be due in Spring 2023)
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