Ida Mae - “Feel The World Turning”
Photo by Dean Chalkley
UK-based husband and wife duo, Chris Turpin and Stephanie Jean Ward, aka Ida Mae, have just released “Feel The World Turning,” a bass-driven, folksy tune taken from their third album, Thunder Above You.
We’ve become so accustomed to the sounds of acoustic guitar that we often forget it is not entirely necessary to utilize one in order to create a stripped-back, heartfelt recording. Luckily, Ida Mae have arrived with “Feel The World Turning” to remind us that some thick, wooly bass notes are sometimes all you need. And pressing play on this one will invite you into the complete bliss of hearing some softly plucked power chords as they slide up and down the neck. The sound is thick with ‘70s compression and as it rolls over the top of a steady, subdued kick drum, we must say that it’s a downright refreshing take on intimate songwriting.
Turpin’s vocal is the first to arrive, delivering the initial lyrics of the verse to our ears in a very emotive fashion, residing almost entirely in a vibrant and soulful falsetto. As Ward’s voice falls into place on the second half, listeners are left to marvel at how the duo’s voices seem to have been made for each other. And, of course, when they ultimately harmonize on the refrain, you will experience the exact moment when we knew “Feel The World Turning” belonged on our blog. It is at this point that a snare drum appears– just enough to provide a dynamic shift between verse and chorus, but coupled with the vocal harmonies, it nestles itself up against your raw emotions.
Some electric guitar provides some occasional, melodic ear candy, expanding the track’s sonic footprint and ensuring that the listener remains engaged. Multiple layers of soft percussion also join the arrangement along the way, as well as the random chords from some keys, effectively pushing this mighty beast forward. But the highlight for us, other than this beautiful bass guitar, is the vocal performance. If you’ve ever read a single page of our blog, you may already know that we simply cannot resist the beauty of a well-executed male and female duet.
Catch Ida Mae on tour:
-HD