STEPHEN LIGHT - Lead Vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica. THE OLD ARCANE are - SCOTT BAKER - Banjo, bass, mandolin, Keyboards, ukulele, lap-steel, backing vocals. SHANKA - Drums, percussion. MARK PRESCOTT - Fiddle, backing vocals.
Click the links below to preview and download tracks from the 2009 Album "Reverie" via Amazon, or download from iTunes.
Reverie2009
Click the links below to preview and download tracks from the 2007 demo compilation "Sweet Transmission" via Amazon, or here to download from iTunes.
Leonard Cohen, Tim Buckley, Johnny Cash, Ennio Morricone, Neil Young, Karen Dalton, Tom Waits, Nina Simone, The Band, Townes Van Zandt, Gillian Welch, Tim Hardin, Nick Drake, Laura Nyro, Bob Dylan, Gene Clark, Crosby Stills Nash And Young, Sandy Denny, Buffalo Springfield, Judee Sill, Elvis Presley, Fred Neil, Lee Hazelwood, Joni Mitchell, Fairport Convention, Pentangle, Carole King, Led Zeppelin, The Byrds, The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Van Morrison, Cowboy Junkies, Leadbelly, Roy Orbison, Davy Graham, Dave Brubeck, The Carter Family, John Martyn, Mississippi John Hurt, Son House, The Dillards, Alan Lomax, Harry Smith, Woody Guthrie, Glen Campbell.
Sounds Like
Reverie (48v) ****
"Stephen Light and his multilayered backing band must be a true indulgence for folk and country fans in South Wales. I've yet to catch them live, but what's been recorded here for their second album is as angst-ridden and bourbon-soaked as anything to come out of the darker corners of Nashville. Confident vocals are underpinned by lap steel and banjo hooks, with all roads leading to accessible choruses (Mamma Jeanie), optimistic ballads (Let you down) and raw blues (Country Mile)." (RH, BUZZ MAGAZINE, JUNE 2009)
"Just a little bit outstanding"
(ADAM WALTON - RADIO WALES)
“A chaotic clutter of hurdy-gurdy bass blues and 60s style psychedelia, with perserverence you might just uncover an enchanting collection of eccentric tunes that grow on you the more you listen to them. You can catch a glimpse of this genius at work at 5 festivals this summer. Youll hear tracks like the blues bomb ‘Cruel Afternoon’ and Rolling Stones influenced ‘Cassady’ as well as the more mellow sounds of ‘Sensitive Car’ and ‘The Path.’ Near impossible to categorise, Stephen has the potential to be fantastically annoying if he wasnt so damn talented. With a voice so new, fresh and exciting and a unique use of sitars and ukeleles putting an original edge on Welsh folk rock, its about time you stopped reading this and join the ever expanding Stephen Light fan base. It could be the best decision you ever make.
(BECQUEREL REVIEWS, FEEDBACK MAGAZINE ISSUE 10)
‘Sweet Transmission’**** (4/5)
“Local lad Stephen Light from Ebbw Vale is rumoured to have gone solo after his fiance and his best mate cheated on him. After gathering a backing group for the Sweet Transmission sessions and naming them The Black Sand Band, the result is this very promising debut. Stephens insightful, intriguing songwriting stems from an eclectic taste in music and penchant for outlaw country. Johnny Cash, Neil Young and late Beatles are powerful influences that make this talented artist stand out from the crowd.”
(LUCY GOODERIDGE, BUZZ MAGAZINE, FEB 2008)
Reverie (48v) ****
"Stephen Light and his multilayered backing band must be a true indulgence for folk and country fans in South Wales. I've yet to catch them live, but what's been recorded here for their second album is as angst-ridden and bourbon-soaked as anything to come out of the darker corners of Nashville. Confident vocals are underpinned by lap steel and banjo hooks, with all roads leading to accessible choruses (Mamma Jeanie), optimistic ballads (Let you down) and raw blues (Country Mile)." (RH, BUZZ MAGAZINE, JUNE 2009)
Hello/shwmae I am a singer songwriter from South Wales, I have been working on my first album proper for the last few months. Its called "Reverie" and is out on April 20th 2009. My band is called The Old Arcane they provide lovely sounds to my songs like lap steel, fiddle, sitar, banjo and percussion. The album will be released as a limited edition of 500 CDs available at gigs and some record stores, and online at iTunes and Napster etc. Some tracks are on this myspace player right now for a taster! 48v Records of Newport will be releasing the album, this is a follow up to "Sweet Transmission" which was a compilation of home recordings and studio demos from 2007 and is available as a download from this site. Hope to see you at one of our shows....
Hello, after an unfortunate hiatus, the reasons for which are probably best not gone into here, we finally have some new music on the AUK MySpace site. For your listening pleasure this month we offer Nathan Oliver, Conrad Ford, the irrepressible Todd Snider and the delightful Beccy Owen. Don't forget too, for those of you within striking distance of Leicester, Electric Dustbowl 2 on 19 September.
Hi All, excellent set today at Abbey Mill, the best I've seen you. It was a pleasure having yourself and The Old Arcane sit in on an impromptu version of "Killing Time" it sounded great. Look forward to Wednesdays gig @ The Acoustic Buzz. Cheers, Tim.
Hello, it's that time of the month again when we add more lovely music to our site. This month's happy foursome are The Barker Band in wistful mode, the summer of love-ish Old Californio, the anything but summer love-ish Christopher Rees and, wait for it..."Travelling Salesman's Young Wife Home Alone On Christmas In Montpelier, VT" from Casiotone For The Painfully Alone, which evenr if it was rubbish (and it's not) just had to be included for the names alone.
Itâs that time of the month and our site has four new tracks up for your listening enjoyment.
This monthâs box of delights include the swaggering groove of Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, the insanely catchy folk-pop of Antje Duvekot, the languid Great Lake Swimmers and, a little belatedly but better late than never, The Young Republic.
A particularly strong month, even if we do say so ourselves. Check them out, you won't regret it.
Hello, we're back again with great new tracks on our page. This month we have some rural bleakness from The Roe Family Singers, the dark intensity of Eamon Dowd, a new song from roots legend Neal Casal and frenetic but compelling from Novillero on the delightfulyl titled but not-at-all-smelly Paco Rabanne. Hope you like them all.
Hello and a Happy New Year to you. An eclectic bunch of songs new to the site this month. The frankly uncategorisable Icelandic band Storsveut Nix Noltes, the sardonic lyics (plus ukelele) of Dent May. some dark folk from The Deep Dark Woods and emerging US singer-songrwiter Israel Nash. Hope you like them all.
Hello Stephen, pleasure to see your good self and Mr Shanka at The Big Cheese Sunday. You aired some very tasty new songs and sported an extremely fine shirt for the occasion. Catch up soon, Tim / BRS
Hey Stephen - nice tunes! Thanks for the add! Have you managed to get your guitar hands on a G7th capo yet?! You wont want to miss out! Come and have a look and get in touch if you're interested...
Hey Stephen, We're looking forward to it too...will be the band's second gig in Wales ever (after our Swansea Chattery in March...and I see you're playing there soon yourself)... Was pleased you were on the bill after a listen to that 'Cassady' track - great stuff...Matt from Hot Burrito told me yesterday you were a top live band too...should be a great night See you soon Pat Southern Tenant Folk Union
hi stephen cheers for the friendship what beautiful music your great check out our music and music video's and let us know what you think love and peace from us all at harry munk!!!
Hi Stephen/The Black Sand Band. Cracking set at The Riverside last night, definitely the best I've seen you. Catch up again soon, Tim and Blind River Scare.
