Belfast based Singer/song-writer Stephen McCorry has released his debut EP today ‘Gliding Amongst The Crows’, having been recorded over 2013 in Vancouver and 2014 in Belfast. We caught him live last month and so decided to check out his latest EP
In September 2012, Stephen McCorry headed west for Canada, picked up a travel sized Taylor guitar, a pocket book and little else. Quickly establishing himself in Vancouver, he took to the local music scene busking throughout town and playing at many of the city’s local venues, which culminated in an appearance at Vancouver’s much celebrated Khatsalano Festival, as well as Honda’s Celebration Of Light Fireworks Festival in July 2013. Inspired by jazz, folk, mellow melodies, life as a misguided twentysomething and the city itself, ‘Gliding Amongst The Crows’, features four tracks reflecting those influences.
The EP is a collection of original acoustic tracks using Guitar, Harmonica and vocals. This makes for an intimate feel as Stephens Smokey vocals mix with the acoustic guitar to great effect, the harmonica chipping in to add a bit of lift when needed. There’s a contemplation in the songs as ideas and thoughts of love (lost and found) and life are omnipresent throughout. This is a collection of songs to take your time over – a perfect Sunday afternoon record, when you’ve time to take it easy and indulge. The EP starts off with the titular ‘Gliding Amongst The Crows’ the guitar sounding clear and punchy and the vocals sounding husky and soulful. Here the recurring theme of the nature, in this case the moon and sky, is used as a way of portraying the helplessness of some situations. ‘Escape the rain’ feels slightly more upbeat in tempo and musical composition although the lyrics reflect some-one battling with a myriad of emotions. ‘Yellow Birds’ has an Autumnal feel and reflects on time and how much, or how little, we have with the people that matter to us most. ‘Lost Lagoon’ finishes the EP with a flourish of Harmonica and an understated guitar that seems like great camp fire music, the themes of nature still being carried through and paint vivid images.
