One of my favourite books is ‘A Monster Calls’ by Patrick Ness, though originally from an original idea by Siobhan Dowd, who passed away before she could finish the book herself. Ness ended up being the one to finish the novel since the story was something that could be given tribute to Dowd and her work, and not doing so arguably would have been a disservice.
Enter Ross Murphy, whose new track “Raise A Glass For My Brother” is an even more direct tribute to Faisal Sketty, a much-loved figure in the Hampshire/Portsmouth music scene as a locally acclaimed harmonica player and this track is their tribute to the musician, written after the heartbreaking loss and dripping with emotion and how much Faisal Sketty’s memory was such a tribute to them, because how else do you explain the absence of someone who was so central to the band and to so many lives?
“Raise A Glass for My Brother” is upbeat and powerfully nostalgic; the kind of track that makes you feel like you’re celebrating something—but you’re also kind of mourning, and not in a sad, ‘I’m going to cry on my own while eating an entire pizza’ way. More like, ‘I’m raising a glass for a person who meant everything to everyone around them, and this song is the only way to honor them without making everyone uncomfortable at the wake.’ The track flutters with an amazing soul polish and strings that sound straight-up from early disco records and the result is one that is equal parts cathartic and fun.
Faisal—who was a massive Stevie Wonder fan—was like, ‘Actually, why don’t we make this upbeat and give it some groove?’ So, the band flips the script with “Raise A Glass for My Brother” with a bright and bouncy track full of that early ‘70s soul energy. This isn’t just a slow, mournful dirge about loss; it’s an homage to Faisal’s love of that era and the kind of music he would’ve been absolutely thrilled to jam along with.
Southerlies are very good at vocal harmonies, an apparent fact upon listening to the track, and I’ve definitely spent some time in awe at how they make this song so colorful. You get those massive guitar riffs in the middle of the track that is essentially what would hope and expect from any great homage to Stevie Wonder and his era of groove. Oh, and because no tribute song is complete without a cheeky nod to the past, the bass player—who, for reasons that only the most dedicated music nerds will truly appreciate—plays a little harmonica part in honor of Faisal. I think Faisal himself would’ve been touched by such an homage; I certainly am, for what it’s worth.
“Raise A Glass For My Brother” is a celebration, a goodbye, and a big “thank you” all rolled into one. So, go ahead—Raise A Glass for My Brother, and let’s remember the good times, the music, and the way Faisal made everything sound just a little bit more beautiful.
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About the Author
A tenured media critic known working as a ghost writer, freelance critic for publications in the US and former lead writer of Atop The Treehouse. Reviews music, film and TV shows for media aggregators.
