Lucy and the Wolves

Isn't it strange how you miss things right under your own nose. In a number of reviews I have raved about Laura Veirs, Natalie Merchant and Anais Mitchell all great American singers and yet like an undiscovered pearl in an oyster there was this brilliant British folk artist Martha Tilston and her shimmering new album "Lucy and the Wolves" hidden away from view. Here we have a singer with a voice as pure as the streams which flow down Cader Idris, mining deep and ancient traditions of British folk but giving it a modern sparkle. She was nominated for best new artist in the 2007 BBC Folk Awards for her album `Of Milkmaids and Architects" which shall be checked out post haste. Martha Tilston is touring the UK as we speak in venues as diverse as the Trades Club in Hebdens Bridge to the The Wharf in Tavistock. These are all fine venues I am sure but on the evidence of this album Tilston deserves to take a a quantum leap and play to sold out major concert halls across this land (she has already had a flavour of this supporting Damien Rice in 2001).

"Lucy and the Wolves" is very fine album indeed, comprising folk, jazz and gentle acoustic ballads which are devoid of sentimentality but are utterly beautiful. It ozzes character and has depth to spare. The musical skills employed here are from a a gifted craftswoman and she has a mercurial talent that not only ranks her amongst the singers above but announces a huge addition to the canon of British singer songwriters.

Check out as a starting point "Lucy" a marvellous acoustic folk wonder which has a disarming charm and a brilliant vocal. "Wild swimming" could be the folk counterpart to the lovely end of season melancholy that REM tapped on "Nightswimming" it shall monopolise the quieter and more reflective moments for months to come, particularly with the wafer lite flute of Maggie Boyle bubbling in the background. "Searching for lambs" is all about purity of voice, it is straight acapella song which has crows cawing in the background and the buzzy sounds of nature all around. In a similar vein "Old Tom Cat" starts off with the warm purring of one of our contented feline friends and leads into a splendid guitar led lament. "The Cape" alternatively is a stunning piano ballad about walking coastal paths and climbing over over rocks which morphs into a rolling love ballad where you gasp at its sheer beauty. There are let me assure you many more highlights than a short review can capture.

This is very British album, it is one where an artist has learnt her trade and brought her craft to bear to present you with an artefact that you will cherish over many years. Please check out Martha Tilston you will not regret it, advises deeply smitten of Cardiff. It is true that Britain has indeed got talent but its not dancing dogs or amusing impressionists.

I am a huge Martha fan & have never been dissapointed by a Martha purchase, yet again she delivers a beautiful album. Lyrically she is a genius, this album is full of depth & as always her voice is angelic.
If you love fantasic non mainstream music, then this is for you, & if you really want to be blown away, go see her live (mindblowing).

I love Martha Tilston one of the best non mainstream artists this country has to offer, not one dud tack on this album, but to be honest Ive never heard a dud from her. This is more beautiful and calming than a cup of camomile a perfect soundtrack for long hazy sunny evenings, I implore you to check out her back catalog you will wonder how you have missed her.