The UK's finest purveyors of beautifully crafted country rock, The Redlands Palomino Company, return after a four year hiatus with the eagerly awaited and utterly brilliant new album, Don't Fade (now on release on Clubhouse Records).
With the husband-and-wife partnership of Hannah and Alex Elton-Wall once again to the fore on nine new tracks alongside a sublime cover of The Dillards classic 'One A.M.,' Don't Fade will delight the bands countrywide fanbase and undoubtedly entice new listeners alike to the sounds of one of the UK's most treasured groups.
After recording their first two albums in London with well respected producers Brian O'Shaunghessy (Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine), Sean Read (Beth Orton, Pete Greenwood) and Chris Clarke (Jim Jones Revue, Madam), for Don't Fade the band decided on a different approach. Opting to buy a stash of recording equipment and decamp to the countryside, the album was produced in-house by Alex Elton-Wall and recorded over an extended period in rural Wiltshire and the Wye Valley. As Alex explains, "This change in environment resulted in a totally relaxed and laid back band, with the time and space to play purely for the love of the music - which shines through on the organic sound of this recording." Essentially an 'as live' recording the band have been able to create a definable link to their amazing live performances as well as giving these classic songs room to breath and come to life.
What makes 'The Redlands' such a loved and cherished live band is what will ultimately define Don't Fade as one of the great records of 2011.
The opening killer, guitar-driven 'call and response' playfulness of 'Call Me Up', a song that just begs to be played worryingly loud whilst careering down some dust-ridden freeway, is awash with unforgettable hooks and choruses that will have you grabbing the nearest person and singing along in joyful abandonment. Whilst 'Brass Bed' - all beauty, regret and melancholic reflection - brings so enchantingly to the fore Hannah's characteristic crystalline vocals and stately elegance, on '1879' it's Alex who takes the lead on this tale of youthful adventure and coming-of-age dilemmas. The title track, 'Don't Fade" underlines what us fans know already that Hannah is not only one of this country's finest female vocalists but a songwriter of immense understanding and emotive depth. Add the backing of some of the purest, undiluted lush pedal steel accompaniment you will hear this side of Nashville and here we have a song that would comfortably hold its own on any great country album of the last twenty years. The beautiful 'Settle Down' just underlines that sentiment. But lets not forget that at the heart for this band lies a certain camaraderie and mutual respect, a desire to not only create great music but to actually enjoy themselves whilst playing it. The lithe, salacious 'Sirens' is a perfect finale, a whirlwind of 'duelling' guitars and mesmeric mastery by the band's guitarists Tom Bowen and David Rothon. You can't help but smile with the siren blasting from the speakers at the end either. It just feels, well, fitting. All in all 'Don't Fade' will not only be cherished in the here and now but will undoubtedly be in that forever changing pile of CD's that reside by the player for months to come.
Over the years, the band have gained scores of devoted fans across the UK and beyond – thanks in part to their often-riotous live shows, and enthusiastic support and radio play from a range of DJs, including BBC Radio 2's 'Whisperin' Bob Harris amongst others. They have made countless high profile festival appearances in the UK and abroad over the last few years and have toured extensively with a range of Americana artists including Richmond Fontaine, The Sadies, Peter Bruntnell, The Rockingbirds, Tift Merritt and The Deadstring Brothers. The band will hit the road with a full UK tour to promote the release of 'Don't Fade'
http://www.redlandspalomino.co.uk
