Lisa Redford - Another Place and Time

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 6 / 9 / 2016

Label: Parrot Records
Format: CDS

intro

four-track EP from Norfolk’s Lisa Redford explores the country side of her music with stunning results

Norfolk-based Lisa Redford is a singer-songwriter who inexplicably was a new name around here until very recently. Lisa has already recorded and released a handful of albums, been hailed as “one of our finest singer-/songwriters” by Bob Harris, writes a monthly music column for 'The Evening News' and contributes to 'Songwriting Magazine' but her latest EP, the four-song ‘Another Place And Time’ collection is the first time this talented artist has come to the attention of this music fan. Or so I thought. A few months ago a friend mentioned a song that had touched her sung by a young artist named Breeze Redwine. ‘Courage’, the song in question, addresses the problem of bullying and has since won both Breeze and the writer of the song a bunch of well-deserved awards. Although the song comes from a different place to the four on Lisa Redford’s latest EP, it was Lisa who wrote ‘Courage’ for Breeze; it’s a powerful piece of music, one that can’t fail to touch and inspire those who have been unfortunate enough to suffer at the hands of cowards. It’s a very different kind of music that Lisa Redford explores on ‘Another Place and Time’ and confirms that there are many sides to this talented artist. Not having heard any of Lisa’s own previously recorded music but noticing that the word Americana almost always makes an appearance in most pieces written about her places a preconceived sound in the mind of what to expect when listening to ‘Another Place and Time’; being introduced to her music via ‘Courage’ had already thrown this writer a little off course. ‘Americana’ these days seems to incorporate such a wide musical area; we all have our own idea of what defines the genre. The opening track on the EP, ‘Music and the Mountains’, is good old country music and, while it’s understandable therefore why Lisa is grouped into the Americana genre, this is pure country music through and through and brilliantly performed. Noel Dashwood’s Dobro and a distant, lonely harmonica both heighten the pain in Lisa’s vocals as this tale of unrequited love unfolds. It’s a cracking start to the EP and one that sets the mood for what follows perfectly. That pure country sound is apparent in the following song, ‘Another Place and Time’. By now it’s obvious that Lisa is a lyricist of more than a little talent and that her voice is ideally suited to these country tunes. The best country artists make the listener believe every word they sing and Lisa is no exception. So clear and close are Lisa’s vocals on these opening songs that you feel that Lisa is in the room singing directly and only for you, there’s soulfulness displayed in her vocals that few can match. Maybe mention should be made here of the contribution of producer Jose McGill, member of Norfolk based band the Vagaband, who also plays Hammond, electric guitar, double bass as well as drums on the EP, McGill so obviously understands the best setting for Lisa’s stunning melodies and voice. There are a few young producers around right now who totally capture the artist's vision and frame it within a country setting while keeping the resulting sound fresh and exciting; McGill appears to be the perfect choice for Lisa’s music. The closing song, ‘Worst Kind of Love’, slows the pace down; Lisa turns in another stunning vocal performance while Noel Dashwood’s Dobro once again accentuates the ache in her vocals. ‘Another Place and Time’ is a perfect snapshot of the talent that is Lisa Redford. Just four songs isn’t enough. While it’s understandable why Lisa wanted these four songs out now and in this format it really does leave the listener wanting more of the same. Although all four songs are cut from the same cloth there’s enough evidence here as the songs and performance are so strong, that an album’s worth of this type of material is surely something Lisa should peruse in the future. At a time when there are so many talented singer-songwriters vying for attention ‘Another Place and Time’ still shines out a little brighter than most. There’s no new ground broken here, just a set of exceptional songs, sung from the heart of an outstanding singer who knows a thing or two about how to write a song that touches the listener. Together with just a couple of musicians who understand her vision, one who is a producer who so obviously knows how to bring out the best in her songs, Lisa Redford has released a set of songs that are simply beautiful.

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