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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Kathryn Williams, who claims to have recorded Relations to help herself "fall in love with music again", aims high with her choice of songs--artists covered include Leonard Cohen, Nirvana, Tim Hardin, Neil Young, Lee Hazlewood, Lou Reed, The Byrds and Big Star--but there's an essential modesty to her approach that makes Relations sound much more like affectionate homage than the usual state of affairs with cover albums; (generally colossal self-indulgences by spent or non-existent talents seeking to prop themselves up with the work of superior performers--the musical equivalent of stalkers posing for photographs with bewildered celebrities).
Not quite all of Relations works. The version of Nirvana's "All Apologies" aims for deceptive innocence, but just sounds twee. The take on Lee Hazlewood's "Easy and Me" is a nice try, but hobbled by an annoying stop-start arrangement. For the most part though, Relations is a startling collection of things that just shouldn't work, but they do. Anyone attempting Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" is dooming themselves to toil in the shadow of Jeff Buckley's definitive version, but Williams, in a live recording, applies a slightly lighter touch with tremendous results. She performs similar small miracles with Neil Young's "Birds" and The Byrds' "The Ballad of Easy Rider". --Andrew Mueller
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a smashing album. She has a beautiful voice with which she manages to pull together some great performances of this collection of well known tracks.
I often play it last thing at night, but as it's so relaxing and moody I rarely get to hear the last tracks, as I go into zzzzzz time. So I know the first half of the album very well. Must rig my CD player to play in reverse order.
I don't normally go for the soft reflective songstress type, but this time I've picked a winner.
Thanks to Mr J. Ross for promoting the album on the radio so much.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
"I suppose I decided to do a covers album to fall in love with music again" says Kathryn in the sleeve notes. And Kathryn makes falling in love with music such a wonderful experience. This is Kathryn's forth album following 'Dog Leap Stairs', 'Little Black Numbers' and 'Old Low Light'. 'Relations' doesn't feel like a covers album, as Kathryn is able to translate these songs into her own and this is so effortlessly done it's incredible. I really love 'The ballad of easy rider' - a song originally by the Byrds but the version Kathryn covers is by Roger McGuinn. The backing vocals from Laura Reid work really well on this track. I've found myself listening to this song over and over, I love it! Other stand out tracks for me are 'How can we hang on to a dream', a song originally by Tim Hardin and the beautiful, beautiful 'Hallelujah'. This Leonard Cohen song is perfect for Kathryn's voice as it was perfect for Jeff Buckley's. Towards the end of this track Kathryn's voice reaches heights untouched on previous albums as Kathryn so honestly indicates "I'm not trained to sing at all and sometimes when my voice comes out of me I'm surprised as anyone". This is what I appreciate about this album - Kathryn has put together a collection of songs she has loved to play and been pleasantly surprised at the outcome. And I think you will be too. Buy it now, you won't be disappointed.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Ms Williams claims she recorded this selection of cover versions to enable her to 'fall back in love with music' and certainly the eclectic nature of the songs demonstrates the music collection of a real fan. Songs range from mid 60's folk classics right up to Nirvana and Steven Malkmus. All are rendered in William's trademark clarity and simplicity of style. Her singing is never less than sweet, while her basic voice and guitar arrangements are tastefully augmented by subtle instrumentation.
The only questionable choice is a live rendition of Leonard Cohen's iconic 'Hallelujah', already over-covered and William's rather plodding version does not stand comparison to the stratospheric standards set by John Cale and Jeff Buckley's versions.
However, mostly this is a triumph, particularly when she lets her still young sounding voice and unhidden Northern vowels wring the emotion out of songs such as 'In A Broken Dream' and The Bee Gee's 'I Started A Joke'. Perhaps best of all is her inspired reading of Kurt Cobain's 'All Apologies', a dark and swirling cello-whipped version that leaves the listener feeling distinctly unsettled.
Here's hoping this exercise has re-invigorated Williams and that her next set of originals will incorporate some of these new found textures and styles.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A crime against music
This album is a crime against music. Having been forced to listen to it by my wife, who I love dearly but basically likes music for people who don't like music, I found myself... Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2010 by A. Pearmain
what can i say
wonderful wonderful wonderful.
this album is 100% beautiful. kathryn williams is one of the best artists around at the moment, she has the unique quality of being able to make... Read more
Published on 19 Oct 2004 by T. P. Fryer
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