First we had the compilation album previewing the talent,
now the blossoming comes to the fore as more of the Folkstock artists move into
the spotlight with their extended releases. Hot on the heels of Kelly Oliver
and Zoe Wren sending their records out to press, Kaity Rae is next in line with
a four track EP stunning in quality and blooming with maturity for one
primarily at the outset of a promising career. If Kelly excelled in a song
delivery to charm the traditionalists and Zoe possessed that innate ability to
craft a magical tune, Kaity oozes with a confidence to reach out far out beyond
the rapidly declining boundaries of folk music. Of course there is a school of
thought for the need to preserve such boundaries but the beauty of Kaity’s
music will rise above any curtailment.
From a personal perspective, lifting Kaity from the FEMME
FATALES OF FOLK album and showcasing four of her songs in this introductory package
has raised the appreciation threshold tenfold. Perhaps separating her from the other
outstanding artists allows your senses to focus and the added concentration
reaps the rewards with a showering of fine songs presented with a divine
culture and elegance. What also aids Kaity is that the other three songs
joining the previously released ‘It Is’
are at least its equal and pushes her talent in a limitless direction.
With the simple title SPARK lifted from the opening track, this
trigger related metaphor fires the first shots of a career which has the
potential to span the worlds of folk, pop and country. While it is wholly inappropriate
to belittle the middle option to someone so young, opportunities to embrace the
other two and shape the future direction of the original and traditional
songbook are enticing. Selecting a favourite from ‘Spark’, ‘Across the Sea’ and ‘Final
Bow’ is a near impossible task as each sparkles with imaginative writing
and flawless vocals merging into the majestic music making. The experience may
be a brief quarter of an hour but you surface richer and enlightened by the
exposure.
Not yet at an age to frequent the ballot box and the bar,
Kaity has used her musical schooling to such an effect that the plaudits are
beginning to gather pace. The Barnet based artist has been working with John
Dines, Benny Beaumont and Lauren Deakin Davies on this project and together the
writing, musical arrangement and production has seamlessly evolved into a
record capable of moving, delighting and just plain impressing the listener. SPARK
is a debut release refusing to be constrained and destined to forge its own
path. Kaity Rae is a burgeoning special talent and now recorded proof exists to
provide a benchmark of what can be achieved in the future. Although let’s put
the future aside for the moment as SPARK is very much about the present.
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