Charles Connolly

Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙏𝙊𝙏𝙀𝙈 – 𝘼𝙢𝙖𝙪𝙧𝙮 𝙇𝙖𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘽𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙚𝙧

In disbelief, Charles is inspired…

Some of you may wonder about my reviews. “Where does he get his ideas? Where does his inspiration come from?” Others of you might not give the slightest damn! Well I’m not concentrating on that impolite fraction. So, these ideas are usually me and my very best constipation face, until something good springs to mind. Then I simply jot it all down. This time however, it was sheer inspiration in being moved by the music. I couldn’t help but put pen to paper. Simple as that! Amaury Laurent Bernier has had much attention of late, in and around the New Artist Spotlight and the rest of the internet. Much praise, various interviews – you know. I like to go a little off the beaten track. So as not to repeat what has already been said elsewhere. Of course, there will be SOME repetition, because I did not entirely detest the record.

(more…)

Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙏𝙤𝙤 𝙀𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝘼𝙩 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙮 – 𝘼𝙢𝙖𝙪𝙧𝙮 𝙇𝙖𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘽𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙚𝙧

Charles is pickin’ up good vibrations…

I found myself quietly affected this week. It will not be a secret as to why, and will probably not come as a surprise to many of you. No, it is not anything war related. Neither is it anything political. And it is nothing personal (not really). There has been much in the press and all over the internet about it. Can you guess? Well, how’s about this for a clue. A post I saw yesterday on the International Singer Songwriters Association Facebook group sums it up pretty well: “I have two busts on my Steinway. One is Beethoven. The other is Brian Wilson”… Says it all. I personally might choose to have a bust of someone else on my Steinway. But one, I don’t have a Steinway, and two, I’m not sure Marilyn Monroe would be too happy with my placement of her bust. She’s giving me the excitations, but let’s get back to business. The chap who made this post evidently rates Brian Wilson as one of the true greats of all time. And he’s not alone in thinking this. In the past week, Brian Wilson passed on. I was hit with a silence when I found out. It wasn’t an incomprehensible loss of senses and inability to string thoughts together, like when the Queen died, but I felt strange. I felt like the past was slipping away from me. As if I was pulling on a rope gripped tightly with both hands, but someone had oiled the yarn. “The nearer your destination, the more you’re slip slidin’ away”, as Paul Simon once sang. Wilson is another great gone. Such a kind man, known for his honesty, childlike manner, and playful charm. What we really mourn though, is the loss of a sensationally talented man.

(more…)

Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙏𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 – 𝘼𝙧𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙤’𝙨 𝙇𝙞𝙯𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨, 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙠𝙤 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙠𝙚𝙨

Charles ch-ch-ch-ch-changes…

Let’s face it. Everything is changing. Perhaps everything has already changed. But then again, this would suggest that things have stopped changing, and that all is stagnant. This will never happen. Whether you like it or not, things are always changing. Sometimes for better. Other times, well, not so much. ’Tis zee vay of zee vorld. I have never quite understood the definition of the word “progress”. I used to think it meant improvement, but now I realise it is more just simple evolution. To progress. To move forward. Not necessarily brilliant, but ultimately vital. I can’t explain why, but it is seemingly and apparently necessary as a civilisation, I think. Right now, we have the dawn of A.I., poking and teasing us like impatient demanders. I won’t go into this because I cannot bring myself to. The biggest change before that was undoubtedly the internet. A truly world-changing phenomenon. I think the first of these “modern” phenomena was electricity. It changed the world. It changed everything. The next big wave of movement – admittedly more of a cultural or societal nature – was possibly the liberation of youth in the 60s. They had power and money, for the first time. They were not tired from war, for they had never experienced it. To a certain extent, this changed a lot of the world. Our way of thinking changed. Younger people were taken seriously. And others who used to have status and respect were relegated to the old folk’s home at the grand old age of 48.

(more…)

Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙏𝙤𝙢 – 𝙆𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙠𝙞

Charles is just being friendly…

Last week was all about ballads. It was about how music makes you feel. I don’t quite mean HOW it makes you feel, but THAT it makes you feel. Dud music doesn’t make me feel. Songs about things I can’t relate to, do little for me. They don’t make me feel. The best music should make you feel, in some way or other. It could be that it makes you cry, it could be that it makes you glow, and it could be that it makes you tingle; up here, or down there. But if there’s none of that, there’s none of that. So there isn’t a great deal of point in listening. Which is the main problem I have with generic pop. It plays, I hear, and that’s about it. It’s as nutritious as a leaf of iceberg lettuce. Basically crunchy tap water without the sweetness of watermelon. I seem to have a thing for that cruddy song ‘Watermelon Sugar’… Anyway! I said last week how sadness is a bigger feeling than happiness. Hence the Blues. But the Blues isn’t just a genre of music; it’s a lifestyle. Well, for some it is, but I only really said that because it sounded cool in my head. What I really meant was, the Blues doesn’t really need to be in the style of Blues music. It’s about feeling blue. So in a way, any sad song is a Blues song. Which sounds ridiculous, but it’s kinda true if you think about it.

(more…)

Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙏𝙤 𝙒𝙝𝙤𝙢 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙔𝙤𝙪 – 𝙎𝙘𝙧𝙪𝙛𝙛𝙮 𝙎𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙨

Charles begins the resurrection…

So that was Easter. For those who don’t celebrate it, Easter is a time for celebrating Coco, the god of chocolate. I therefore can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t celebrate such a thing. Unless you’re allergic to chocolate, in which case it may be best to treat it as any other weekend. Okay, there is no god of chocolate. It’s all about Jesus having risen from the dead – as ya do. Clever lad. I must say, I like the idea. But do I believe in it all? Well… It’s a hard one to swallow. I mean, the whole idea seems a little far fetched, no? But if you want to believe, then by all means, believe! There’s no harm in it. Whatever floats your boat. There is beauty in this idea. It is not morbid. Quite the opposite, if you think about it. And this is the side of religion of which I am most fond. The peaceful beauty of it all. The unworldly nature of it all. The magic. Just like when one watches children use their imagination. Does that still happen these days? Do they still use their imagination? Well, let’s just say they do. It is delightful, endearing and somewhat captivating. So in this sense I think of religion as holding on to that child-like wonder. And why not??

(more…)

Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙊𝙪𝙩 – 𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙤 𝙃𝙞𝙡𝙡

Charles carries on regardless…

Lately, I have been a very busy bee. Mainly with my recent mixing and producing for other artists, such as CHVRLI BLVCK, Billy Lowry, Vida, Wanaka, Eleanor Collides, Steven Heath and Rich Allen, to name but a few. I have also managed to fit in the odd bit of my own stuff. That album ain’t gonna make itself… Of course there are the ongoing frustrations in life like technology, companies, systems and people. I mentioned this a couple of weeks ago, but it really does waste a lot of time and energy. And there’s food and standard daily chores. Having no butler, maid or slave, I am left to fend for myself in this regard. While this is perfectly normal, my job is perfectly abnormal. I have no office, nor lunch break. I don’t clock in at 9, I don’t clock out at 5. One of the best and worst things about being self-employed is that I have to manage my own time. Can’t stand the phrase/term, but this we rather unimaginatively call ‘time management’. I don’t like it, I’m not great at it, but I’m getting better. The problem is, that I get in the zone. Although to me mixing is an artful skill rather than an art (unlike production), I treat it like an art, in that I find myself wrapped up in it for hours, fully absorbed as I would be with art. And as each hour passes, it feels like 15-20 minutes. I take mixing seriously and I treat it as preciously as if it were my own music. I know some clients of mine find it difficult to point out things they want altered in my mix, BECAUSE it is personal to me. They don’t want to offend or upset me. But they mustn’t think like this. I have rather quickly realised that it is the client’s views and wants that are to be adhered to. Not my own. For the duration of that mix, they are my boss. Besides, a lot of mixing is simply taste. It is not right or wrong. If an artist wants their lead vocal upped by 20db, then the artist shall have their lead vocal upped by 20db. I will suggest that this perhaps isn’t the best idea (and explain why), but ultimately they have full control – as they should.

(more…)

Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚 – 𝙀𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙤

Charles contemplates time and its association with the stigma of age.

Youth is everything. Youth is the very essence of life. Youth is vital. But it is the ever-diminishing tight boundaries of its definition that concern me. I am all for praising the young and their talents, but why should someone aged 25 be made to feel middle-aged? Are they destined to depart this Earth at the age of 50? People only live longer these days, so that can’t be right. Despite this embiggened life, our “youth” continues to truncate. Surely it would only be better to live longer if we can have more of the good bits? Not to say adults of wise and experienced maturity are having a terrible time, but it is simply different. Almost ALL emphasis seems to be on youth and youth only, in this modern era. The world is tackling racism and sexism at an enormous and rather astounding pace, but ageism is rampant and continues to grow with every year. I simply do not understand. Experience is in my opinion the greatest asset, and is by definition the one thing the young can almost never have. Age is also the ONLY thing we all have in common – we start young, we grow old. I will leave you to ponder that thought and mull it over.

(more…)

This week, Brad (aka Mercury Teardrop) takes over 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 to pay homage to Charles, the man, the myth, the legend… and to dive into “This is How the Story Begins”, his latest single featuring Wilko Wilkes.

𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝘽𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙨 – 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙮, 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙠𝙤 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙠𝙚𝙨

Brad does his bit…

My early memories of music are some of the most vivid memories I have from my childhood. I was one of those kids who grew up surrounded by music. I remember sitting for hours in my parents’ living room, records all over the shag carpet and giant headphones hanging on my tiny ears, listening to album after album. There was the typical “pop” of the day in the house, but for the most part, I would listen to anything I could get my hands on. From ABBA to ZZ Top, I couldn’t get enough. At about eight years old, I started to buy my own records. For you kids out there – “kids” being operationally defined as anyone born after 1985 – this was not as easy as it sounds. It was an entire coordinated effort to save the money required, curate a list of albums you wanted, decide on the pinnacle of that list to spend your life savings on, and then, find someone who would take you to the record store. I would often wait for months before I could buy a single record. One of the first records I bought was “Out of the Blue” by The Electric Light Orchestra. I remember the day like it was yesterday.

(more…)

Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 – 𝙀𝙙 𝙀𝙖𝙜𝙡𝙚 (𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙩. 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙮)

Charles crosses his fingers and touches wood as he covers a cover.

As I switch on, switch off and switch on the light again, a blind man sways with a smile from behind his electric piano. He rounds off a soothing ballad and segues into a funky number. Something changes in the air. From clouds of cirrus to bolts of loytneen, there’s a storm a-brewin’. A god is in charge and the genius is at work. I speak of Lord Stevie of Wonder. One of the greatest people in music lending us one of the greatest riffs ever known to man, and not a guitar in sight! Superstition is perfection from beginning to end. Unbetterable (ahem). This is clear to almost any musician. So why cover it…?

(more…)

Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙘𝙖𝙧 – 𝘿𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙃𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙯

Charles speaks of love from a distance…

Have you ever had a crush on someone? Obvs. Obvs, utts, totes, abs and deffo. Of course you have. You’re only human, after all. I certainly have, anyway. From my own personal experience, I can only speak from the perspective of a heterosexual male. I would love to say her name was Sophia, but alas… Let’s talk about Sharon. The glint quickly snapped from an eye. The way her hair just falls and bounces in THAT way as she turns around. The perfectly formed nose that wrinkles when amused. That slender, elegant neck forcing one’s eyes down towards her… collarbone. Proud shoulders that hang from invisible threads, not highly strung but still supported. The sweetest laugh that only I have noticed. An occasional cackle denoting a darker, more intriguing side to this wonder.

(more…)