A label

Time for a slightly different "Unsung" - some time ago now (even longer now because I started writing this before I went offline) I got an e-mail from a record label. A small, independent label - which means small, independent bands. Desert Records describe themselves thus:

Desert Records was established in 2008 by Alejo Rodriguez and Craig Daly. Even in this online digital download world of MP3s and disposable music, we still believe that someone, somewhere, still wants a CD with nice packaging (call us old fashioned). It's easy to make your own home recordings but we have realised that you need a record label to give that final mastered product that 'finished' look. (Myspace)

I don't know if it's possible to do an unsung for a label, but I'm going to try anyway with some of their bands. The catch here being "What song's by which band?" - the songs on the label's myspace listing all being listed as being by the label. A flaw in myspace - there is one afterall! Thankfully, the benefit of album covers and looking at other myspace pages has helped. So, here's what's on offer:

Windnight - The opening bars of Uprooted leave you with no illusion as to where this band come from. Bagpipes - must be Scotland, and to be more accurate it's Glasgow. With guitar though - a highly unusual combination of genres, and with that and also Desert Night, a quite unusual demonstration in modern times of an instrumental. Desert Night is also a perfect example of music and title being properly designed - it sounds Arabian, and yes it could fit into an evening in a bivouac.

Stone Autumn - Continuing the theme of bagpipes, Come to me now does, in some ways, show a recurring theme between the bands on the label. There are more songs to listen to, all with the distinct Scottish folk background but with a slight twist. Mainly traditional stuff, so not entirely my cup of tea, but if you like that sort of thing it's a perfectly fine example.

The Midgierakers - More acoustic folk. Unfortunately, for the purposes of this blog, that's all it is. Nothing eccentric, nothing unusual, and nothing spectacular. It's clear it's good musicianship, but I've not drunk enough cider to really appreciate this sort of this music. Going to have to pass with a "no comment"

Back to the label as a whole though - great to see someone willing to take a punt with something different. Hope it pans out

Note - For those that keep sending me myspace requests, links to free downloads, tips for new talents etc etc etc - I apologise for not either responding or reacting to them. I've got a back log of several weeks, and still wish to listen to everything I've been sent. Please bear with me, and please keep them coming in the interim. I'll try to catch up asap.