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Elly Roberts reviews
Happy Tree Records
- March 2007
- Rating: 10/10
Taking their name from an Emmylou Harris guitar – Hummingbird,Amy Wadge, Cathy Burton and Edwina Hayes pool together their immense talentsfor their debut album.
In late 2005 the trio decided to amalgam their collective songwriting singing skills with Mighty Vibration production team (who produced the No.1album for Sandi Thom) so the theyre in good hands the results of which arequite dazzling.
Of the three, Amy Wadge is probably the best known, but almost takes abackseat in terms of musical contribution, penning only two songs here.Clearly happy with her role, Wadge and co masterfully blend contemporaryroots music with gorgeous harmonies and melodies.
All three play delicious acoustic guitars along with mandolin and piano,giving cultured and sweet vocal contributions, unlike many of their popcontemporaries. There again, these arent Celeb seeking babes, just greatsinger-songwriters on top of their game.
The press blurb boldly draws comparisons with The Indigo Girls, Dixie Chicksand legends Crosby Still Nash and Young. And rightly so, but its one hell ofa reputation to live up to, and with a lot of luck, some savvy radio producerwith pick up on them.
This is perfect fodder for the eclectically minded BBC Radio 2. It would be acrying shame if their efforts werent recognised as this is a stylish andpolished album. Lightweight but chirpy, a countrified (a la Dolly Parton),Sing A Lullaby, a lovers lament, gives us the an indication of whatsto come further in – their close harmony is mind-blowing.
In a similar Parton template, Tougher Than Love has all the hallmarksof a country gem, though neither are written by the trio. CSN&Y influences popup on Shine On, a sparkling retro ’70s folk-rocker, with its catchyhooks and playful chorus.
Hayes gives her first self-penned contribution on the delightful I WantYour Love, proving she can mix it with outside writers Field/Thompson/Gilbert songs 1,2,3,5. Wadge gets her say with Free Fall, taking the leadwith her new chums backing her with tender nuances.
Of the collection Everybodys Fool has the most heart-rending lyrics,and the only semi-melancholic track, given added potency by swirling strings,though Too Lonely. is a tad sombre, but has qualities of hope thatnever drag it down. All three write Hold Me, a shifting and strippedballad that rounds-off a stunning debut.
The girls will tour for festivals this summer, including Glastonbury.
Weblink:myspace.com/hummingbirdmusic
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Sing A Lullaby
2. Tougher Than Love
3. Shine On
4. I Want Your Love
5. Under The Apple Tree
6. Free Fall
7. Live Your Life Laughing
8. Everybodys Fool
9. There But For The Grace Of God
10. Too Lonely People In The World
11. Hold Me
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.