Album review

Dave McGraw & Mandy Fer

Seed of a Pine

added: 21 Feb 2012 // release date: 15 Feb 2012 // label: daveandmandymusic.com
reviewer: Andy Snipper

I haven't heard of Mandy Fer (pronounced Fair) before but I have heard Dave McGraw and since this album also boasted contributions from Po' Girl's Alison Russell and JT Nero I wasn't about topass it up.
Very glad I did because this is a very fine album.

There is a delightful synergy between McGraw & Fer, his strong baritone drawl set against her soft and soaring harmony and I was somewhat surprised to see that all the electric guitar on the album came from Ms Fer as it delivered real power against the subtlety of their combined vocals and the acoustic instruments that are to the fore here.

Musically this sits somewhere that Americana and Folk cross over but it is a very natural blending of the forms and I found myself comfortingly enveloped by some excellent playing that speaks of warm climes with the edge of chill mountain air intruding occasionally to keep from being too comfortable.

They each take lead vocals on their own songs but the best is when their voices meet and give the music a wide-ranging harmony to work against; matched with some sumptuous melodies this is memorable stuff.
My favourite track has to be 'Serotiny (may our music)' which features al the best elements of the album including some excellent guitar work and chilling moods but 'Once Was' has a beautiful simplicity and a yearning feel and Fer's vocals have a whispery touch to them, ever so slightly like Corrinne Bailey-Rae.

It has become a real favourite of mine very quickly, one of those albums you find yourself dipping into time and again just to enjoy the little moments.

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