Review Summary: Timeless indie folk songs to reflect on life
Narrow streets covered with cobblestone overflow into modern paved roads, old-fashioned Tudor houses entwined by shiny leaves of ivy alternate with modern buildings of glass and concrete. But one thing will never change in this corner of merry old England - Southampton's port with its hustle and bustle, “The Gate to the World”. For most people Southampton is known after the sensational movie “Titanic”. This legendary ship has started his infamous journey to New York exactly in this port, some people know that “Mayflower” with the “Pilgrims Fathers” sailed away to America.
But the city snugly located on the shore of the boundless sea on the southern end of Great Britain has always been “The Gate to the World” for more than one generation of writers, actors and singers. It is stuffed to the ears with history, primeval beauty of nature and catchy landscapes and no wonder that in such an inspiring place “Songwriting was the “itch” that was always there” for Lee Desty.
Lee was writing songs during his teenage years, but then he had stopped writing because he had to concentrate on family and career. But finally in 2014 he understood that he can't keep it to himself anymore.
Since then, several albums have been released and the last one landed on his Bandcamp page about two weeks ago. All songs touch on various topics - some are historically inspired, some are dedicated to the theme of relations and emotions, and some are just celebrating the beauty of the world. All lyrics were written by Lee himself and reflect his view of life as he gets older.
All songs are different but a great performance unites them. His voice masterfully conveys the mood and his guitar echoes him. It's like his guitar is alive - it cries, then laughs, sings a duet with him, drowns out him to then echo his voice.
His usage of fingerstyle gives songs an extent - guitar sound is crumbling into solo and rhythm parts, sometimes buzzing of bass pierces through melodic chores.
And speaking about his genre - it's hard to determine it. Although Lee describes his album as pop and indie folk you could clearly hear rockabilly echo in his guitar playing. Cheerful skiffle in the chorus of one song and then down notes of bluegrass in another perfectly complement one another.
This album is a hymn of life - it sings of our ups and downs, love and disappointments. Sway under its charming melodies and forget about everything for a while.
