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Product Description
Review
She may be an Irish singer from County Kildare, who first attracted attentions while working with the celebrated Irish-American group Cherish the Ladies, but Heidi Talbot is rapidly becoming a key figure in the flourishing and vibrant Scottish folk scene. She is now based in Edinburgh with her partner John McCusker, the celebrated multi-instrumentalist who can be heard on recordings by artists including The Battlefield Band and Paul Weller. And Talbot, too, has been involved in a series of collaborations, singing on albums by Michael McGoldrick, Idlewild, Kris Drever and Sandy Wright.
Now, surely, it’s time for Talbot to be recognised as a soloist in her own right, and this album – the follow-up to her In Love + Light set of two years ago – shows the range in her charmingly low-key approach. It was produced, predictably enough, by McCusker, who also plays fiddle, cittern and whistle, and the list of other musicians involved reads almost like a Who’s Who of folk celebrities: Ian Carr and Boo Hewerdine on guitars, McGoldrick on uilleann pipes and whistles, Andy Cutting on accordion, and with harmony vocals provided by Drever, Eddi Reader and Karine Polwart.
Considering that line-up, one might expect an album of grand instrumentals; but the end product is the exact opposite. Many of the songs start out low-key, with Talbot singing against an accompaniment of acoustic guitars or fiddles, other instruments or backing vocals subtly joining in. Her approach is always intimate and often easy-going, but she can switch between different styles. Opener Willie Taylor is an epic narrative ballad, a story of love, a girl dressing up as a man, infidelity and murder – and now given an Irish twist. Then there are sadder but still jaunty songs like Tell Me Truly, which features a sturdy melody from McCusker, and the country lament Hang Me, perhaps too relaxed considering its bleak lyrics.
Talbot changes direction yet again for sea shanty Sally Brown, and for the light but upbeat Bleecker Street, a song about dirty tricks by American females of dubious morals. Here, for a change, McCusker allows himself a fine and extended fiddle work-out. The title-track matches a grand, gentle melody by McCusker against her own lyrics, and it’s as effortless and quietly exquisite as the final track, a revival of Sandy Denny’s emotional ballad At the End of the Day. It provides a fitting finale to an engaging and impressive album.
--Robin DenselowFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Songlines (Tim Cumming)****
"It's superbly played and produced, with a clean, spacious sound and she is possessed of a sweetly emotional and melodic voice. if you loved In Love and Light, you'll fall head over heels for The Last Star."
"I can't rate this album highly enough - it simply blew me away!...Heidi Talbot is my new favourite female vocalist!"
"Tender crossover folk of celtic colours"
"I can't rate this album highly enough - it simply blew me away!...Heidi Talbot is my new favourite female vocalist!"
"Tender crossover folk of celtic colours"
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Heidi Talbot has added to her growing reputation with another fine recording. This is a more focussed album than In Love and Light (which had a number of styles running through) and is unashamedly folk from beginning to end. She possesses three main advantages; an unusual voice, excellent song selection, and she happens to be married to John MacCusker who is a superb record producer.
Her main forte seems to be wistful, low-key songs like "Hang Me" and the title track where she sounds not unlike Kate Rusby and Cara Dillon however the accent is different from Rusby and she doesn't make as much use of trills as Dillon. There are some fine up-tempo numbers to counter-balance these like "Sally Brown" and "Bleeker Street".
I would question her decision to do 2 Battlefield Band songs (MacCusker's former group) they're both brilliant (Shepherd Boy and Starting All Over) but she's asking for direct comparison wth Karine Polwart and even though Talbot has a better recorded sound I still prefer Polwart's singing.
"Willie Taylor" is a song with many alternative versions. This one leaves out the chorus but still works very well and is an ideal opener.I must admit to loving the second track "Tell Me Truly" which is a simple waltz with a catchy chorus that builds with extra voices and I can't help singing along myself.
There isn't a weak song on the album but for me she sings too many songs in the same range and style which can get a bit tiresome. Her voice hints at a husky or hoarse edge but sounds smoother on this recording than I've heard in her live shows. Also the albums closing two tracks are just too similar to what's gone before to leave any sort of wow factor.
The backing musicians are a who's who of the folk scene and help add further sheen to what is a very strong release. Talbot is not far from being the next big thing on the British and Irish folk scene, and her next album may well be a career - defining work. This album is well worth your time (and money!)
Her main forte seems to be wistful, low-key songs like "Hang Me" and the title track where she sounds not unlike Kate Rusby and Cara Dillon however the accent is different from Rusby and she doesn't make as much use of trills as Dillon. There are some fine up-tempo numbers to counter-balance these like "Sally Brown" and "Bleeker Street".
I would question her decision to do 2 Battlefield Band songs (MacCusker's former group) they're both brilliant (Shepherd Boy and Starting All Over) but she's asking for direct comparison wth Karine Polwart and even though Talbot has a better recorded sound I still prefer Polwart's singing.
"Willie Taylor" is a song with many alternative versions. This one leaves out the chorus but still works very well and is an ideal opener.I must admit to loving the second track "Tell Me Truly" which is a simple waltz with a catchy chorus that builds with extra voices and I can't help singing along myself.
There isn't a weak song on the album but for me she sings too many songs in the same range and style which can get a bit tiresome. Her voice hints at a husky or hoarse edge but sounds smoother on this recording than I've heard in her live shows. Also the albums closing two tracks are just too similar to what's gone before to leave any sort of wow factor.
The backing musicians are a who's who of the folk scene and help add further sheen to what is a very strong release. Talbot is not far from being the next big thing on the British and Irish folk scene, and her next album may well be a career - defining work. This album is well worth your time (and money!)
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Not a lot to say except great voice, great music and I love it. If you like soft relaxing music with a folk twist. Then buy this.
10 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have been waiting for the release of this album for a long time, and I have not been dissappointed! The music is absolutely superb - if you only buy one folk album this year, make it this one! Her style is similar to Kate Rusby, and I thoroughly recommend Heidi to anyone who likes Kate.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fantastic!
Just bought this cd after hearing a track on Mark Lamarr. Absolutely stunning - voice, songs, music. Very highly recommended.
Published 16 months ago by katie
More of the same
Don't get me wrong I am a big fan of Heidi but I just felt this was one album too many of the same. After a while it becomes musak and I forgot I was listening to it! Read more
Published 17 months ago by E Brocklehurst
An unexpected pleasure
I heard her on Radio4 recently, Start the Week, or something like that and bought this on the strength of that one listening. Very glad I did! Read more
Published 17 months ago by robinh
Nice enough
A decent album with a good mix of pacier numbers and slower ballads. Heidi has a pretty voice with a good range but personally I find it grates after a while. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Emma
A winter warmer...!
Just one listen to this wonderful album was enough to book my place by the fire this winter. folk at its best, a lovely voice, interesting lyrics & the perfect chill-out album... Read more
Published 19 months ago by carrie white
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