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Elly Roberts reviews
Kensaltown Recordings
- March 2008
- Rating: 10/10+
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Dawn Kinnard 2008’s new sensation? Possibly.
If youre gonna release a debut, it might as well be a good un.
Well, actually this is not just a good un, its brilliant with Kensaltown Recordsalbum producer and label owner Martin Terefe bagging himself a major star inthe making. The PR hype says, “The woman is an exceptional talent.” She is.
Watching her perform on Later with Jools Holland on Friday 11th AprilI didnt think she came across too well on her first song. Then came a spell-bindingduet with Ed Harcourt, singing the divine ballad Clear The Way and thatwas it. Hooked.
This unique singer-songwriter born in Pennsylvania to devout Baptist preacherfather eventually moved to Nashville, and found her mojo.
The results on The Courtesy Fall are nothing short of spectacular. Itsin the hands of the gods for her to crack the UK and European market and it wouldtruly be shame if she didnt. There are two single possibilities here Clear The Wayand Coldplay-ish Island, which the latter should be released immediately.Its a sure-fire winner.
Drawing influences from 1920s/1930s country, jazz and blues she successfullycrafted her own style with conviction and credibility, making her stand-outfrom the crowd of run-of-the-mill singer-songwriters of recent years. Hervocals are whisky flavoured and razor sharp which is pleasantly refreshing, somewherebetween Norah Jones and Billie Holiday, most notable on the lazy jazz wanderingsof Fortuneteller.
Shes also capable of mixing it a bit too. The lo-fi beginning of All In Your Headeventually turns into epic proportions, while Devils Flame is a teasinggrungy mid-paced rocker with Kinnard some nifty playful sensuality. Freewheeling No Different Nowis the most direct song here, and most commercial, sounding much like mid-70sFleetwood Mac.
Her ability to deliver a simple song Lean To The Glass with its tender acoustic guitar touches shows shes not the kind of singerwhose reliant on big production to create an impact. One Little Step Wayis co-written with Cerys Matthews is a gorgeous but sometimes edgey ballad,with damaged swaying lullaby White Walls closing a magnificent debut.
File under : Wow!
Weblinks:dawnkinnard.com /myspace.com/dawnkinnard
The full list of tracks included are :
1. All In Your Head
2. Devils Flame
3. No Different Now
4. Island
5. Fortuneteller
6. Clear The Way
7. Youre My Kite
8. Stop And Start
9. Lean To The Glass
10. One Little Step Away
11. Pennsylvania
12. White Walls
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.