Casey Edward Denman - Songs for the Living and Songs for the Dead

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5...according to our Brian on Fri 10 Dec, 2010.

Mr. Denman wins SOTW simply because there's nothing that touched us as much as his fine EP for Autumn Ferment. It's really straight ahead singer-songwriter stuff in the contemporary folk vein but his clear, plain yet heartfelt voice cut through any bullshit that may be lingering around an office full of quite individualistic spods & geeks. Musically, there's a strong similarity to classic writers such as Jose Gonzalez, Bert Jansch & John Martyn but his songs display a distinctive verve & freshness that lifts them beyond the ordinary & unremarkable. The playing is warm, fluid & strong but I keep going back to his voice; a pure captivating thing that very occasionally reminds me of various folk I cannot put my finger on. Every song here manages to be rousing, sad, celebratory & soulful, sometimes all at the same time, and because he's on a tiny indie (one which, Phil & I agree, is utterly on-the-ball with this style of music) nothing here is over-produced. A very homely & human sounding recording that I will continually dig out & cherish. Nice one Casey!

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'Songs for the Living and Songs for the Dead' is the debut release from the South East's Casey Edward Denman. This four track EP is a fantastic introduction to the song writing talent and tale telling abilities of Mr Denman. Each track evokes the feeling of being there in the room while these intimate recordings took place, all deftly executed featuring rich finger picked acoustic guitar and trance like drones from banjo coupled with Casey's leading vocal.

Tales of ancestors, of life and death, roots and bones and journeying crooked paths usher in dark undercurrents so often familiar to traditional folk songs (the ghostly family tree like album art represents the subject matter perfectly). Yet there is a contemporary feel to the EP producing a well balanced blend of material with a likeness towards Bert jansch and John Martyn. Limited to a pressing of 200 hand numbered CDr in card wallets.

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