Anchovy by Edd Donovan and The Wandering Moles
Edd Donovan has continued his upward trajectory with a steady stream of intelligently written albums. The new album Anchovy further demonstrates a keen musical mind at work with observations on the fragility of our planet, the need for psychological renewal, the preciousness of protest and egalitarianism.
Finding inspiration from Cornish beaches, the rise of feminism and the failures of our civilisation, much of the album was developed during pandemic-era restrictions, recorded with his band The Wandering Moles and co-produced with drummer Paul Arthurs.
Beginning with single ‘Echoes of the Sea’ - a song about liberation from fear, the album continues with title track ‘Anchovy’ - an ode to marine ecosystems, whilst ‘St Ives’ pays homage to childhood memories. Elsewhere on the album ‘What You Know’ reminds us of how little we understand the world; ‘Be the One’ is a rallying call to stand up and be counted; ‘Unspoken Heroes’ is a dedication to NHS staff; ‘Aphrodite’ calls in the ancient deities; ‘Get It Out’ acts as a catharsis;‘God Be With You’ points towards the destruction of the natural world; The self-explanatory ‘Final Song’ encourages us to live in the ‘now’.
Crafted with an emphasis on pouring everything into each song, Donovan has not held back with his creativity, self-proclaiming it as his ‘finest work’ after endless dedication. Album number four promises to perhaps be his most intriguing and pioneering work to date, with ten tracks arranged and produced to a level even beyond his much-celebrated back catalogue.
Tracklist
| 1. | Echoes Of The Sea | 2:52 |
| 2. | Anchovy | 3:45 |
| 3. | St Ives | 2:53 |
| 4. | What You Know | 3:48 |
| 5. | Be The One | 3:44 |
| 6. | Unspoken Heroes | 3:39 |
| 7. | Aphrodite | 3:45 |
| 8. | Get It Out | 4:48 |
| 9. | God Be With You | 4:07 |
| 10. | Last Song | 3:01 |
Credits
1. Echoes Of The Sea
Edd Donovan - Lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar and keyboards
Emma Parker - Backing vocals
Diane Arthurs - Flutes
Paul Arthurs – Percussion and mandolin
2. Anchovy
Edd Donovan - Lead and backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, and keyboards
Emma Parker - Backing vocals
Trish - Backing vocals
Ross - Backing vocals
Chris Cundy - Soprano saxophone and bass clarinet
Dan - Electric guitar
Louie Arthurs - Bass guitar
Paul Arthurs – Drums and percussion
3. St Ives
Edd Donovan - Lead vocals, acoustic guitar and keyboards
Emma Parker - Backing vocals
Diane Arthurs - Flutes
4. What You Know
Edd Donovan - Lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitars and keyboards
Emma Parker - Backing vocals
Paul Arthurs - Percussion
5. Be The One
Edd Donovan - Lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar and keyboards
Emma Parker - Backing vocals
Trish - Backing vocals
Dan - Electric guitars
Louie Arthurs – Bass guitar
Paul Arthurs - Drums
6. Unspoken Heroes
Edd Donovan - Lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar and keyboards
Diane Arthurs - Alto and tenor saxophones
Pete Beck - Trumpet
Louie Arthurs – Bass guitar
Paul Arthurs – Drums
7. Aphrodite
Edd Donovan - Lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards
Emma Parker - Backing vocals
Liz - Backing vocals
Trish - Backing vocals
Chris Cundy - Soprano saxophone
Louie Arthurs – Bass guitar
Paul Arthurs - Drums
8. Get It Out
Edd Donovan - Lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar and keyboards
Emma Parker - Backing vocals
Sara - Backing vocals
Trish - Backing vocals
Dan - Electric guitar
Louie Arthurs – Bass guitar
Paul Arthurs - Drums
9. God Be With You
Edd Donovan - Lead vocals, acoustic guitar and keyboards
Emma Parker - Backing vocals
Liz - Backing vocals
Chris Cundy - Soprano saxophone
Pete Beck - Flugelhorn
Dan - Electric guitar
Paul Arthurs - Drums
10. Last Song
Edd Donovan - Lead vocals and acoustic guitar
Emma Parker - Backing vocals
Beth Porter – Cello
All songs written by Edd Donovan
Flute arrangements on Echoes Of The Sea and St Ives by Edd Donovan
Horn arrangement on Unspoken Heroes by Edd Donovan and Paul Arthurs
Produced and engineered by Edd Donovan and Paul Arthurs
Mixed by Paul Arthurs
Additional engineering and mixing by Louie Arthurs
Sound design on Anchovy – Louie Arthurs
Mastered by Louie Arthurs
Recorded at Marsh Cottage and Cygnet Studios
Mixed and mastered at Cygnet Studios
Cover art by Round Circle Design LTD
License
All rights reserved.
Edd Donovan is a highly distinctive singer and songwriter with a rare, original talent. His sound is heartfelt – comforting, yet challenging – wise. Originally from Merseyside, he has made his home in Cheltenham.
His critically acclaimed début album, Something To Take The Edge Off, was released in April 2014.
Edd released his second album, Making Mountains (Vol. 1), on 3rd June 2016.