Stephen Fearing - The Unconquerable Past

  by Nicky Crewe

published: 10 / 4 / 2020

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Review

Stephen Fearing’s latest solo album highlights his talents as a songwriter and musician for both his long term fans and a new audience This is Stephen Fearing’s thirteenth solo album, but let’s not be superstitious. It’s definitely lucky for some. The title, 'The Unconquerable Past', refers to all our life experiences, as we are destined to repeat the lessons we haven’t learnt, but also to the wealth of life experience Stephen Fearing brings to his songwriting. It isn’t surprising that so many contemporary singer songwriters are taking these trying times as their inspiration. Politics and anxieties, relationships and inequalities are all hard to ignore. Sometimes it makes for difficult listening. We need musicians who get a message out there for us all, but we also need artists who can help us to stay hopeful, optimistic and uplifted. Stephen Fearing is that kind of artist. Multi award-winning, he’s one of Canada’s finest singer songwriters. He has collaborated with the best and he co-founded Blackie and the Rodeo Kings twenty five years ago and they are still going strong. That’s a lot of past to bring to the present. I was lucky enough to see him at my favourite venue, Sheffield’s Cafe #9 at the start of his promotional tour for this album. I’ve heard him play the songs and tell the tales that inspired them. As he says "I feel like I’m writing myself into other people’s lives." He’s certainly found a place in mine. He brings together his musical influences as well as his life experience, looking back to classic country and roots rockabilly and taking his arrangements of familiar instruments into new territory. As a parent I recognise the poignancy behind 'Break Our Mother’s Heart'. 'Gold On The River' explores the passage of time. 'Stay With Me' is an invitation to the dance of life. 'Marie' examines current politics with its beautiful expression of a very dark anger. 'Someone Else’s Shoes' reminds us of the overwhelming need for empathy. 'The Unconquerable Past' says it all - "is your present pretty tense?" 'Christine' quotes Eleanor Roosevelt’s observation that a woman is like a tea bag. You don’t know how strong she is until she’s in hot water. There’s a traditionally Irish feel to 'Emigrant Song', co-written with Belfast singer-songwriter Andy White. It reflects Stephen’s own upbringing between Canada and Dublin. 'No Country; explores this need to recognise where you call home. The arrangements are lovely and his voice is wonderful, blending beautifully with the stories his songs are telling, whether personal or universal. This album is a treat for those familiar with his work and a great introduction for those who are new to it.

Track Listing:-

1 Break Our Mother's Heart
2 Gold on the River
3 Stay with Me
4 Marie
5 Someone Else's Shoes
6 The Unconquerable Past
7 Sunny
8 Christine
9 Emigrant Song
10 No Country