impossible songs
scapes
© 2003 John Barclay & Alison Hutton (634479010125)
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light weight but heavy duty adult acoustic/electric solid-air songs from a misty scottish seashore.
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Impossible Songs are is and is are Alison Hutton & John Barclay.
Scapes is the second CD by Impossible Songs. It was recorded & produced at Muffel Studios by Martin Freitag, in Friedrichshafen, Germany.
Ali and John used to live in the very likely haunted (no sightings yet, just lots of wild life) "Inchgarvie House" looking out on a river full of boats and the Forth Road and Railway Bridges near Edinburgh in Scotland, UK. Now we live further away in the countryside by Newton village.
They write music and songs together. Ali sings in what has been described as a sexy and wavering voice and plays the "used chopsticks" and torch. John plays electric and acoustic guitars in an uncultured, sloppy but entertaining way - experimenting with steel resonator at present. On CD the sound is augmented by bass, drums and synths (other voices do creep in also). We try to have fun.
They are mature and busy with (gradually increasing which is good) families and baggage and a few cats.
Live gigs: Few and far but becoming more frequent, lots of experiences scattered over the years. Playing much more regularly now on the Edinburgh acoustic scene (Out of the Bedroom, the Roxy, the Left Bank, Festival gigs etc.). There is a lot of good music getting played in Edinburgh right now!
Influences: We're cultural sponges. Quite liking Choc Ices and poor man's noodles, chinese buffets and going to the cinema.
Plans: Keeping on working and playing. New CD "heartburst" on sale now available on cdbaby. Other plans are forming...
Inspiration: Bacon rolls breakfast snacks, oily fish, pasta and pizza and green tea (and using post-its).
Frustration: The secret life of all road traffic and the road works on the Forth Bridge and unrepaired road pot holes.
Situation most likely to cause panic: Stupid noisy doorbell in our house and surprise attacks by Alsation dogs in shrubs. Cat being moody, scratchy and ....
Situation least likely to cause panic: Watching 3D DVDs, Star Wars, Green Wing, Spirited Away and drinking Dr Pepper and Horlicks (but not in the same cup).
Favourite Place: Mine is on the tyre swings in the garden, Ali's is up on top of some high building looking out.
Happiest memory: Sitting on a rock, on the beach under the Forth Railway Bridge.
Most complex current problem: Fridge magnet and flyer designs, oh yeah and finding time.
Best Attributes: Doing the impossible - as you can tell.
Worst Attributes: Doing the impossible badly.
Other Projects: As well as CDs, live gigs and writing music, the "is" brand appears on their unique artwork, paintings, sculpture and theme related projects. Also available to work on lyrics, poems, designs and life-style adjustment. All types of challenges and commissions considered. Why not ask???? about Fairytale Management Theory (FTMT).
Contacts:
Home Tel: +44 131 331 4753.
Email: is@songs.fsworld.co.uk. Website:http://mysite.freeserve.com/is_stuff/
or try: http://impossiblesongs.blogspot.com
reviews
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Cool
author: Dr VentureLet's make pearls: I can't help but notice the beginning of the song's chord progession (while slowed) sounds just a bit similar to David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust." Not too much, though. Just worth noting, because its actually a catchy riff, same with this song. The bass grooves along just great. The overall sound of the song is some psuedo-goth sounding stuff except a tad lighter. This mood is helped overall by the haunting (in a good way) vocals, which deliver beautifully, and rather charmingly as well. I especially enjoy the way the BGVs harmonize perfectly with the lead vocals.
Your voice has a delicate beauty..
author: Chil RowsinLet's make Pearls: The bass really stands out in this song and I like the way it juxtaposes the softer aspects of your voice. Great guitar sound, it has a twangy funeral type tone that is happy yet sad just like the vocals. The bridge is magical and this essentially examplifies the essential nature of the song- one of subdued tone and heroic gesture. - ChilRowsin from Port Perry, Ontario, Canada on 18 Dec2006
innocence in the vocals
author: ThreeFromLeithImpossible Songs – Let’s Make Pearls With an innocence in the vocals reminiscent of Electrum, this duo from South Queensferry produce some sublime alt-pop which they describe as sounding like “a mixture of [their influences listed on their MySpace page] when falling out of a tumble dryer and not being picked up for a few days.” Whatever it is, I love it ! If you love it too, buy their CDs here or check out the impressive list of shops and download sites on their MySpace page
Social commentators, erstwhile critics and sales gurus for OOTB, Impossible
author: OOTBA sterling atmospheric and harmonic set of songs.. Some nifty fretboard adventures from John on this one. gentle, calming pieces about looking out on the world from the Forth, whilst pondering the contrast of schemies and posh folks.
7/10 for this CD: More good stuff to come from impossible songs
author: Jim@ootbThis CD expands of impossible songs' acoustic performances, introducing electric guitar, fretless bass, synths and drums. The song EASY utilises this instrumentation, which is a highlight of the colection and is pure pop. Alison's breathy vocal works well with the funky backing and the cheesy keyboard solo is class.
Very sexy vocals from Alison
author: Jim@OOTBThe opening track HAPPY LIKE features a very sexy vocal from Alison and the song swoons along wonderfully. On the evidence of this track, Alison could actually be Scotland's answer to Jane Birkin (Francophile vocalist on the banned 1969 No 1 hit "Je T'Aime".
Belle and Sebastian meet Fleetwood Mac
author: JBOn crisp cold days some where in Southern Germany these songs were recorded with the distant alpine snows muffling and holding and forming a serene studio backdrop. This seems to have given this CD a clear and crystalline 80's style German production sound coupled with the Scottish and Celtic roots that these songs grew from. Needs listened to and explored - accompanied by a decent bottle of red wine. Worth the trip.
Unexpectedly wonderful
author: PGHas surprising bite and character, well written and thoughtful songs containing an eccentric and engaging set of sub-plots and odd but beautiful observations. Unexpectedly wonderful.
Interesting and original - spacey and ethereal
author: JGAtmospheric songs with at times whispering vocals, spacey and ethereal with thoughtful lyrics coupled with mean riffs and guitar twiddling.