Track Listing

1. Do You Want To Come With?
2. What's That You Say Little Girl
3. Run
4. Bad Bad You, Bad Bad Me
5. Rose
6. Lost Without You
7. Emily
8. Lines
9. Play
10. Brother
11. New York
12. Rain (UK Bonus Track)
13. If You Go (UK Bonus Track)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5931 in Music
• Released on: 2004-11-22
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Dimensions: .23 pounds
• Running time: 47 minutes

Album Description
Born in Scunthorpe but now living in Manchester, Stephen Fretwell is a 23 year old singer songwriter; though listening to his songs you might expect him to be older. After testing the water with several big name producers, Stephen decided to produce his debut album himself and Magpie was recorded at Abbey Road studios. This debut album from the Salford-based singer/songwriter is very infectious with echoes of Dylan throughout: he writes music that you don't mind having stuck in your head.

CD Description
'Magpie' is the debut album by British singer-songwriter Stephen Fretwell. Drawing his influences from artists such as Bob Dylan and Nick Drake, the Manchester-based Fretwell has crafted an album that is both rich in sonic texture and lyrically bold in content. Includes the single 'Emily'.

Customer Reviews

This is (folk) music
I don't know what I was expecting when I bought this record, but I don't think it was a folk album! The chord changes are perhaps more indie than folk, but it's basically folk music. If you liked Moving Up Country by James Yorkeston and the Athletes then the the slow building Do You Want to Come With? will certainly ring your bells. If Richard Hawley takes the sound of Scott Walker and brings it right up to date with a little northern witt and charm, then Steven Fretwell does the same to the songs of Tim Hardin. The production is perfect. I've heard a couple of albums lately where the artist has tried to create a "live" sound and failed. Steven pulls it off with aplomb. It sounds like he's sat with his band on top of your hi-fi, when he laughs a little mid song (i think from memory it's on What's That You Say Little Girl) you can't help but laugh with him. Where the music itself is sparse and acoustic, occasionally lifted with a little light (and beautifully syncopated) piano, the lyrics are confesional and warm. They lift the arangements and stop the whole thing from drowning in melancholy. I guess that Steven Fretwell could be classed as this years Damien Rice. He is certainly much closer to Damian than Coldplay or Snow Patrol or any current Indie act. Whilst Damian's arrangements are endlessly inventive, his lyrics and vocal style eventually became too much for me. I just don't need that much traumor in my life! You're safe with Steven Fretwell though, he'll take your heart, but promise not to break it.

Worth every single penny of your hard earned
Errr, WOW.

This album is simply stunning,its perfect for the long dark winter nights.
Lights out, just the fire on and these beautiful, haunting melodies filling the room.

Stephen's voice reminds me very much of Chris from Coldplay, its a very obvious comparison, but beyond that, this guy as a Dylanesque delivery to his vocal.

You can go two ways when listening to this album, you can just enjoy the melodies, or if you pay attention you can pick up on some very well written songs.

This album for me just basically flows, if your looking for comparisons in order to make your decision to buy then I would compare him to David Gray and Snow Patrol, but I would give this album the edge over the most recent releases by either artist, which says a lot, because Final Straw by Snow Patrol is awesome also.

Buy this, its very good and deserves your hard earned cash, and your ears deserve the treat.

a beautiful, beautiful album......
After seeing an advert on TV, i decided to buy this album and see what it had to offer. I have to say that i am so glad i did, this is a beautiful album - stunning voice, soul searching lyrics, and beautiful beautiful guitar melodies. The album flows right from the beginning, a definite easy-listening cd. Perfect for relaxing to, and successful in creating a range of emotions. This is a must buy album, and you will not be disappointed. It's hard to pick out my favourite songs, as they are all stunning. However, i do love Emily and Do you want to come with me? But saying that, every track could be a favourite. A spectacular album, each song is as beautiful as the previous - a must buy!