POKEY LaFARGE Fine To Me

Описание

Capping off my short series of contemporary recording artists that I have taken to heart is a wonderfully evocative throwback to other eras. Pokey LaFarge. I realised looking at my posts for Caro Emerald, Imelda May and Serena Ryder, that in my mid life, I have found singers and songwriters that whilst having a current look and sound, also hark back to some pure musicality from decades ago and also are genre benders in so doing. My love of Caro Emerald was instant, due to her wonderful morphing of Jazz and R&B with pop. Imelda May channelled the great rock and rollers Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley among others but put her own soulful stamp and feminine swagger into her vibey music. Serena Ryder could well have been the child of Ann Wilson or Suzi Quatro with her hippy leanings but organic rock stylings, whilst having her own special brand of contemporaneous words and music.

Andrew Heissler aka Pokey LaFarge came into my orbit at the start of the pandemic and his suitably dark 'Rock Bottom Rhapsody' and its brilliant mix of blues, folk, traditional pop, swing and jazz ingredients immediately had me hooked. I am fascinated by the way he effortlessly weaves so many styles into his songs but still creates his own image and sound. 6 weeks ago I stumbled across 'Fine To Me', a 2021 release from 'In The Blossom Of Their Shade' which has some light and um...shade in its mix. 'Fine To Me' is another glorious piece of pop with nods to honky tonk, swing and pop. The promotional clip is just glorious - fun and energetic and very catchy.

I may always associate Pokey LaFarge with the pandemic, but then pop music has always arrived at opportune times in life and his music both reflected my mood and day to day, whilst also offering me a stylish and inventive distraction and way to channel my feelings. This is a brilliant artist and I look forward to more music from him - post pandemic! He is 'Fine To Me'.