Fabian Holland – ‘Fabian Holland’ (Rooksmere Records)
There are things you fall in love straight away, you don’t really need a reason, that thing talks to the deepest and truest chords of your soul and there’s no escapee.
It happened this morning when I had a listen at Fabian Holland’s début album. You must be wondering what it is that makes it so good to start this review with such a bold statement. Well once, a dear friend of mine, told me greatness lies in beauty and simplicity, and that’s what Holland accomplished.
The record, pretty organic and well constructed, is a modern and musical version of ‘The Canterbury Tales’ or ‘Spoon River Anthology’, every song is a painting of a person Fabian met during his travelling; his warm and rich voice will wrap the listener up and drag him into his world.
He’s a folk songwriter almost in an old-fashion kind of way, he’s a minstrel.
His self titled album opens with ‘The Landlord’s Daughter’ that starts with a long acoustic guitar intro; his fingers wisely pluck the cords of the instruments building up the pathos until his voice breaks and starts singing the story. The acoustic guitar, only companion in the execution of the piece, and Holland’s voice beautifully fill your ears.
Holland revisit traditional song ‘Dr Price’ is inspired to the real character of William Price, he was a Welsh physician, a druid, a bard, a nudist, a chartist, a Welsh activist and much more. Holland creates a beautiful and delicate song to tell his story.
‘Mad Eric’ it’s a slight darker song, the guitar is occasionally joined by the harmonica and Holland’s voice is edgier in some points, the piece has definitely a bluesy touch that sets it apart from the rest of the repertoire.
The album is consistent, simple and effective, some times too much. Holland’s style is genuine and uncompromising and his lyrics are very well crafted. This songwriter presented another face of folk genre: less commercial and pop than what we’ve been used to listen in the last few years. 7.2/10
Monica Guerrasio
Listen to ‘Home’