Fula - "Songs from Beyond the Merrygolight" - Reviews

The first reissue of Fula's earlier recordings is entitled Songs From Beyond The Merrygolight (Fulamusic (UK) 1995-2002). While the album features seven numbered tracks, movements within the epic-length tracks reveals a more complex work. With vocal work by Fula's co-founder and lead singer 1994-1997, Nadeen Plant, the album spans alternative, soundtrack and progressive rock genres. The lineup is completed by Rob Gould (keyboard), Nigel Moss (guitars) and Jason Gilman (guitars). James Lampard (sax) and Kimberley Kitchen (trumpet) guest on "Anything" and "Gingerbread" respectively. The band's latest album The Beautiful, The Delicate and The True (Fulamusic (UK) FCD3, 2002) with vocal work by Josie Bostin has also just been released. A second album of rarities from the 1996-1997 timeframe with vocals by Nadeen Plant is planned. Fula's album Dark Matter (Fulamusic (UK) FCD1 1999) is the only one with female singer Zoe Stafford; the album remains available yet the singer has moved on to another project called One Window.

The absolutely stunning 15+ minute epic "Living In Pieces" written by Rob Gould and Nadeen Plant opens the album. The nine atmospheric movements within the piece are reminscent of Clive Nolan and Tracy Hitchings' work with Strangers on a Train. Musically quite moody with soundtrack-oriented arrangements, the material is vocally intense with individual themes developed primarily by Nadeen's sweet and melodic voice and keyboard with only the lightest of guitar sounds in the background. One will immediately be drawn to Nadeen's powerfully soaring vocal work--she sustains the notes playing her voice like an instrument. The album's powerfully rocking second track "Cynthia Left at the Station" offers a clear similarity to, and perhaps forms the heritage behind, Dark Matter's "Vanity." Rich keyboard and percussive bass arrangements join guitar solos to provide the backdrop for Nadeen's soaring vocal excursions. Rob Gould's spacey synths perfectly suit Nadeen's sensual vocal work of gentle track "Bliss."A clear standout track is "Anything," an emotively sung number with jazzy sax and percussive bass adding a sultry texture to the arrangement. Nadeen clearly explores the vast extents of her theatrical vocal range with power spanning the quietest moments in the verses to the most powerfully sustained sonics in the choruses. A tremendous guitar solo by Jason Gilman concludes the track.

Time signature differences break the progressive epic "Promises" into three parts. Although Nadeen's vocals begin the track, the 13/12 "Part 1" is dominated by an extensive keyboard solo with guitar and crisp percussion adding texture to the sound. "Part 2" 4/4 is soundtrack-oriented number with keyboards, guitar and other effects providing a confusing background to almost-spoken vocals before a more rhythmic melody emerges. The 7/8 "Part 3" brings the piece to a melodic and dramatic conclusion.Two shorter and memorable tracks conclude the project. The first one is the album's only pure instrumental and is entitled "The Fall Of Icarus." Keyboard and guitar excursions blend perfectly to paint a lush and delightful soundscape, perfectly illustrating Fula's instrumental power and on-stage energy.The highly accessible and maybe even radio-friendly gentle rocker "Gingerbread World" is the album's closing number. While different to much of the material on the album, similarities to some of the movements of "Living In Pieces" can actually be heard. Obviously an early demo that could be further enhanced with modern production and re-recording, we adored Nadeen's lead vocal work, the trumpet solo and the harmony vocals in the chorus.

Clearly one of the surprise releases of 2002, Fula's Songs From The Merrygolight is certain to delight Musical Discoveries' readers. A pleasure from first listen, Nadeen Plant's lovely voice is perfectly suited to Fula's instrumental arrangements. The album is available directly from the band. Worth a trans-Atlantic journey, this album is a must listen!
Russ Elliott
Musical Discoveries
june 2002




Fula
Songs from Beyond the Merrygolight

Beyond the Merrrygolight was an album originally released by Fula on cassette in 1995 co-written by Rob Gould (keyboards) and their vocalist at that time , Nadeen Plant. The impressive female vocals deliver meaningful, emotive lyrics with power and feeling, especially on the opening 15-minute and 9-part track “Living in Pieces” (part 10 can be found on their latest album). Lyrics like “the jigsaw of my life in pieces passing by”, hint at the themes covered and nice instrumental passages break up the more emotionally intense songs. There are interesting guitar excursions and beautiful synthesiser-washes throughout with some shades of Pink Floyd. “Cynthia Left At The Station” is the original, and I think more evocative version of the track later re-recorded for their 1999 CD “Dark Matter”. It had me visualising a “Brief Encounter” scene, facilitated by lyrics like “ as the train disappears into the distance, the love disappears from my life.” Excellent guitar and driving percussion conjure up images of a steam train vanishing into the night! “Anything” is a lovely chill-out song with seductive saxophone from James Lampard and a wonderful meandering ‘Jason Gilman’ guitar solo. Haunting keyboards come gloriously to the fore on tracks like “Bliss” and the 9-minute 3-part song “Promises”. “The fall of Icarus” is an instrumental which opens into a superb wall of sound, with layers of keyboards and distorted guitars creating a Tangerine Dream and Pink Floyd flavoured cocktail. Closing the cd is “Gingerbread World” a happy-go-lucky song with a Beatles like rhythm section.

The album is a delicious blend of female vocals and quality rock music oozing with atmosphere; a slow-burner that’ll leave you intrigued in its afterglow, wanting to rekindle the experience again and again. This rare treasure from Fula’s history is now available in CD quality.
DK
Oct 2002

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