Skip to content
Elly Roberts reviews
Shellshock
- Released: March 2005
- Rating: 8/10
Deep in the heart of Texas, there’s a real buzz going on. The lady at the centre of it all is Sarah Sharp.
Debut albums have a propensity of being hit and miss affairs. Not this one.Following a huge effort on the road, American singer-songwriter Sarah Sharp finallycommits her finely honed songwriting skills on Fourth Person.
The attractive blonde Texan has been creating waves for some time now, withregular stints on radio and venues in her native state. She is also due toembark on an East-Coast tour.
Nearly two years ago she gigged in southern England and Wrexham north Wales.Her significant other – Buffalo Speedway (a native of Wrexham) has considerablemusical input on this meticulously produced twelve-tracker. Shes been gettingrave reviews in the States and is about to unleash her considerable musicaltalents in March, followed by UK touring in April.
This time-capsule serves to consolidate her credentials as a bone fidecontemporary Americana artist. Along with Speedway, she has the benefit ofone-man-band Kevin Ryan (drums, bass, mellotron and various sonic hi-jinx)as they collectively scale the endless possibilities of 21st Century eclecticballadeering.
Sarahs vocals are sharp but delicate; perfectly complementing the imaginativelyrical scenarios. From the sensually teasing opener, Time Capsule, weget an indication of her range. With songs tackling deceit (Run),heartache (Cant We Just Love), loneliness (Surrender) andflirting – theres plenty of meat on the bone.
Fourth Person will thrill her indigenous fanbase, with the internationaldomino effect coming later. The instant hit,which radio stations (particularlyin the UK e.g. Johnnie Walker show) are seeking out, comes in the form offinal track – Blame It On The Night. This swaying jazzy ditty wouldopen the door to the often fractured nature of the UK singles market, leadingto further artist scrutiny.
Not the most instant of albums; it definitely grows on you with time. The moreyou listen, the more you discover the polyphonic delights.
Sharps recent credits include: Nomination for indieacoustic.com best album of2004, Austin Chronicle (Texas) – reviewers picks as one of the Top Ten Texasalbums of 2004.
A very impressive debut; full of charm and character.
Weblink: Sarah Sharp.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Time Capsule
2. Run
3. Coffee Shop Song
4. Its Too Late
5. Encounter
6. Buzz Factor7. Too Close
8. Cant We Just Love?
9. Surrender
10. Finally
11. Be Still
12. Blame It On The Night
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.