SINGLE REVIEW: LOUISE CONNOR - THE TABLE

It was pretty much on arrival back home from Song Suffragettes at the weekend that #TEAMw21 immediately had to listen to the recorded version of Louise Connor's "The Table". It was the thinking and the frustrations behind it that fascinated us most.

Musically it is incredibly simple yet so effective, with just three instruments performing the majority of the heavy lifting, Louise's acoustic keeping the main theme going, as banjo and pedal steel provide additional texture to the overall sound.

The intro to the table could not be more overtly country if it tried,

"Let me sit at the table, there's a space I can see

I swear I'm good for money, I'll even work for free

Let me listen I won't say a thing, you won't even know I'm there

Let me sit at the table, I'll even bring my own chair"

Louise's whole demeanour, is polite, willing to play by the rules even if she's not entirely sure what they are yet. The table is the metaphorical level playing field, where all things are equal, and all music has an equal chance of being heard and appreciated.

As it progresses the backing becomes more prominent, as if joining Louise's fight in wanting to be heard.

"Let me sit at the table, cos you and I are the same

We share the same love in a different vein

Let me hear what you're working on and I'll show you my heart

Let me sit at the table I just want to take part"

The chorus carries the weight of just about every independent artist out there

"I know I shouldn't beg or plead

I know so many others just like me

Asking to be seen"

The final verse is the frustration that eats many independent artists, if they could just get heard then the rest will take care of itself.

"Let me sit at the table, the one I saw being built

I had a screwdriver, while others helped

Let me convince you that you'll like me

And I'll work harder than most

Let me sit at the table

Even just for the toasts"

The solution is effectively simple yet so radical - build your own table, it seems inconceivable that it could work yet stranger things have happened.

"Let me sit at the table

I hate to even ask

My pride is on the line

But so is my career path

Let me go and build my own

What have I got to lose?

So come sit at our table

Grab a chair or a stool

Come sit at our table

There's plenty of room"

The song ends with Louise gently cooing, to the close. It all makes for a poignant subtle single, and everyone who hears or likes it, should go help spread its message. It's the only way that table is getting built.