True to its English folk roots but infused with a fresh, modern edge
It's been a busy summer for folk singer songwriter Seth Lakeman, having performed at this year's T In The Park, V and Beautiful Days festivals, as well as finding time to bring some of his energetic contemporary folk to the Cambridge Folk Festival. It seems that Lakeman is the next modern folk heart-throb to remind people what many of us have known for a long while: that folk music is not all about dreary durges played exclusively by bearded middle-aged men in socks and sandals...
'Lady of the Sea (Hear Her Calling)' is the first single to be taken from Lakeman's re-released third album, 'Freedom Fields', originally recorded in the kitchen studios of his brother's cottage and issued through his own I-Scream Records, but now (with re-recorded tracks) is set for release on Relentless Records, home to the likes of KT Tunstall and Joss Stone. 'Lady of the Sea' begins with chugging fiddle drones that sit behind a rousing refrain and bright acoustic guitars, as Lakeman's rich voice swells with a powerful modern-folk melody to tell an impassioned tale of love and loss. 'Lady of the Sea' stays true enough to its English folk roots to sound like a traditional song, yet is infact self-penned by Lakeman and infused with such a rhythmic edge and catchy, radio-friendly modern melody that it is sure to appeal to a much broader audience that simply your stereotypical 'folkies'.
If 'Lady of the Sea' has called to you, details of Lakeman's auntumn tour are expected to be announced shortly.