Elles Bailey – The Night Owl & The Lark EP
Recorded back in 2020 (well, what else is a hard working singer going to do during lockdown?), The Night Owl & The Lark is a beautifully conceived and successful blend of Elles Bailey in deeply soulful (and part reflective) voice and the talents of Redtenbacher’s Funkestra, featuring Tony Remy (guitar), Ross Stanley (Hammond, piano), Mike Sturgess (drums) and band leader Stefan Redtenbacher (bass guitar).
Opener, the soul-drenched ballad 'Lean On My Love,' is as smoky voiced and musically smooth as one would expect from the respective talents of Miss Bailey and the Funkestra crew; the song also sports a lovely Hammond swelling finale and a distinctly gospel vibe, the latter courtesy of backing vocalist Kim Keyes (who is also responsible for some gorgeous, and inspired, vocal arrangements).
'Nothing Without You' is the finger-clicking, soul-swaying throwback of the five song set, one that comes complete with a subtle horns backing and a tasty, understated solo from Tony Remy.
The more personal then comes calling in the shape of the lovely, string backed soul-waltz 'Mumma And Me,' written about Elles Bailey’s close relationship with her mother and their own personalities.
Elles Bailey is no stranger to putting voice to some of her favourite songs, or those by her favourite artists, as heard to fine effect on Ain't Nothing But (another collection that was recorded, live, during lockdown).
Here the Rival Sons' 'Jordan' takes centre stage, with the acoustic led original re-arranged as a soulful piano led slice of gospel Americana, lifted further by a beautifully phrased and genuinely emotive vocal from Bailey.
'Bring It On' signs the EP off in fitting, 2am soul-blues bar style.
A do your worst blues built atop Hammond fills and some great piano remarks from Ross Stanley, Elles Bailey does indeed bring it on, in the company of her right-hand vocal gal Kim Keys.
The Night Owl & The Lark showcases Elles Bailey’s more soulful and contemplative side; it thus acts as the perfect musical soul-mate to her most recent album, Shining in the Half Light.
But as strong and current as that album is (released in 2022, an expanded Deluxe Edition in 2023), its title is already out-of-date, because Miss Bailey is now shining in the award winning full light as a leading voice in Brit-Americana and rootsy soul-blues.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Purchase the EP and related Night Owl & The Lark merchandise here: https://ellesbailey.shop/collections/night-owl-the-lark
Opener, the soul-drenched ballad 'Lean On My Love,' is as smoky voiced and musically smooth as one would expect from the respective talents of Miss Bailey and the Funkestra crew; the song also sports a lovely Hammond swelling finale and a distinctly gospel vibe, the latter courtesy of backing vocalist Kim Keyes (who is also responsible for some gorgeous, and inspired, vocal arrangements).
'Nothing Without You' is the finger-clicking, soul-swaying throwback of the five song set, one that comes complete with a subtle horns backing and a tasty, understated solo from Tony Remy.
The more personal then comes calling in the shape of the lovely, string backed soul-waltz 'Mumma And Me,' written about Elles Bailey’s close relationship with her mother and their own personalities.
Elles Bailey is no stranger to putting voice to some of her favourite songs, or those by her favourite artists, as heard to fine effect on Ain't Nothing But (another collection that was recorded, live, during lockdown).
Here the Rival Sons' 'Jordan' takes centre stage, with the acoustic led original re-arranged as a soulful piano led slice of gospel Americana, lifted further by a beautifully phrased and genuinely emotive vocal from Bailey.
'Bring It On' signs the EP off in fitting, 2am soul-blues bar style.
A do your worst blues built atop Hammond fills and some great piano remarks from Ross Stanley, Elles Bailey does indeed bring it on, in the company of her right-hand vocal gal Kim Keys.
The Night Owl & The Lark showcases Elles Bailey’s more soulful and contemplative side; it thus acts as the perfect musical soul-mate to her most recent album, Shining in the Half Light.
But as strong and current as that album is (released in 2022, an expanded Deluxe Edition in 2023), its title is already out-of-date, because Miss Bailey is now shining in the award winning full light as a leading voice in Brit-Americana and rootsy soul-blues.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Purchase the EP and related Night Owl & The Lark merchandise here: https://ellesbailey.shop/collections/night-owl-the-lark