Earth Mother

And yet this isn't an angst-ridden album; it's introspective, yes, but in their reflection on loss, the songs are about empowerment, of acknowledging your pain, of being strengthened by it so you can move on and live.

The highlight of the album is the title track, "Earth Mother" which, dedicated to Friends of the Earth, must be one of the very first eco-conscious songs. "Oh mother please forgive us / We've taken all you had to give / Claimed it as our right to live / Never thinkin' you had that right too...", the almost plaintive confessional of the verses starkly contrasted by the driving power of the chorus, "But we daren't turn and say Stop / While we're watching the slow rot / Yet the life that we've all got / All depends on you / But we've taken the wrong track / And we've painted your face black / And it's so hard to turn back from it now." This is an anthem, whose words tell it all; it's a cry of self-accusation; it's a prayer for our planet.

The other musicians on this stunning album include the legendary Chris Spedding on guitars, Barry de Souza on drums and percussion, and Lesley Duncan's producer and then-husband Jimmy Horowitz on organ, piano and flutes. As always, she was able to call on the best.

First released in 1972, Earth Mother is as fresh and powerful today as it was then: startling but warm poetic lyrics sung in Lesley Duncan's beautiful mature voice, with superb arrangements and musicianship - an object lesson to some of today's female singer-songwriters. Let's hope Edsel soon release her other three albums. And dare we hope that with these rereleases, and with websites devoted to her in America, Italy and Japan, Lesley Duncan might start recording again?

--David V Barrett

Lately,I've bought several albums by female vocalists from the past,filling in the missing spaces;Fotheringay;Bobby Gentry,and discovering old talents for the first time;Vashti Bunyan;Shelagh McDonald,and they're all great.But I'm really glad I got this and if I can I'm going to buy Sing Children Sing,which to be honest I always preferred.I just wish I had bought them earlier.

Final recommendation;this album went straight onto my wife's mp3 player along with Jenny Lewis and Vashti Bunyan.

I came across Lesley Duncan by accident, as one of her tracks was included in a Reading Festival compilation. I bought this album in 1977 and was delighted when it was reissued on cd in 2001. Her credentials were established with Elton John and her single "Sing Children Sing"

Earth Mother really stands the test of time, due to its brilliant and simply woven/crafted songs.

A real "floater" of an album throughout, which puts her in the same ethereal category as Nick Drake and John Martyn's earlier material.

The definition of the recording is fantastic, as are the musicians. A definite step up from her debut album "Sing Children....", Duncan has effectively managed to channel her emotions into every single song - there is not a "duffer" on the whole album.

The order of play is perfect and finishes with the anthem-like "Earth Mother".

Its best described as an acoustic album with laid back electric accompaniment and has a real Sunday morning or late evening quality about it.

You will truly love this album if you listen to the following artists: Joni Mitchell(acoustic), Kathryn Williams, Goldfraap, John Martyn, Nick Drake, Stina Nordenstam, David Crosby(acoustic)amongst others.

The thing is, you are going to have to be lucky enough to stumble across it, because I doubt many people will know about this hidden gem!