Sarah Class - A New Dawn

  by Lisa Torem

published: 11 / 8 / 2010

Label: Glorious Technicolor Records
Format: CD

intro

Deceptively gentle, yet brave and adventurous new album from classical musician turned singer-songwriter, Sarah Class

Isle of Wight singer-songwriter Sarah Class has a wind-swept voice that, like a sea shell held to the ear, encompasses a natural elegance. Her father was a sailor and a scientist, so it’s no wonder Class developed a rapt appreciation for her austere surroundings and became capable of funneling these images into original compositions. Class was nominated in 2002 for Best Classical Album at the Brit Awards for ‘Aurora.’ And, now, her 7 track CD ‘A New Dawn’ finds her embracing more personal terrain. Joined by pedal steel, five guitarists, double bass, cello and drums, the resulting sound has texture, but it’s kept in check. ‘Make Me Free’ opens the collection. Class exclaims that, “There’s a rhythm in my hand that won’t let me sleep.” The restless characteristics of the words, however, belie the gentle sway of the vocals. It’s a lovely mix. The ballad ‘When Your Heart’ is equally soft and reflective, yet a splash of yearning emerges to balance the message. “If I couldn’t see, babe/Would you be my eyes?” she inquires. ‘Northern Shore’ recalls the full choral resounds of Abba. Some hefty guitar flavours the harmonies. Class wistfully details the “cathedral of a northern shore” and “the ocean roar.” A full-bodied remembrance follows. ‘Darkness in my Heart’ is totally contrastive. It’s deliciously gloomy; “In no man’s land they close the door and lock you in,” Class cries. This song contains the mother lode of lyrical depth and the searing delivery follows suit. When Class explains that she “wants to find that piece of me and make me whole,” we have been won over by her ability to withstand fear. ‘A New Dawn’ captures a crisp vocal vulnerability and the contrasting, ‘Baby I Will Know You’ settles into an unexpected jazz-waltz. Cellist Stevie Blacke thickens the hide. The last one, ‘A Golden Leaf Fell’ has the understated eloquence of a buoyant sea-shanty. Class demonstrates a lilting fragility as she sings, “It’s 4 a.m. and I’m listening to the rain.” The album, ‘A New Dawn’ is deceptively gentle, yet brave and adventurous.

Track Listing:-