Hattie Briggs - Early Girl

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 15 / 4 / 2018

Label: Wise Dog Records
Format: CDS

intro

Following 2017’s successful ’12 Months Of Madness’ project, Hattie Briggs releases the first in a set of five singles to be issued during 2018 which proves to be a brilliant start from the talented singer-songwriter

“ I’ve always said I’m old before my time/My years will bring me back to you”; a line from an early song by Gloucester singer-songwriter Hattie Briggs and one that has always rung true when listening to her lyrics which have, from the very beginning, shown maturity well beyond her years. While that line is taken from Hattie’s touching tribute to Pete Seeger, ‘A Beautiful Mind’, it comes up whenever listening to Hattie’s lyrics. While on the subject of that song the preceding line to those quoted lyrics is “You know they write by numbers now/There’ll be a handbook soon”; Hattie’s lyrics are so real and moving that she’ll never be reduced to writing by numbers but she’s the ideal candidate for writing that handbook. Hattie released an EP each month during 2017 under the title of '12 Months of Madness'; this year she’s taken on a less challenging project. Maybe. Hattie plans to release five singles during 2018 of which ‘Early Girl’ is the first and by choosing this song to start her latest venture she’s set the bar extremely high for the following four singles to follow. No doubt Hattie, the inaugural recipient of the Fender Undiscovered Artist Of The Year Award last November, is capable of keeping the standard set by this opening song throughout the year, her two albums, ‘Red and Gold’ and ‘Young Runaway’ were accomplished pieces of work often belying the fact that Hattie was only in her early twenties on their release but this talented singer-songwriter has reached new heights with this song. A fan commissioned ‘Early Girl’; Hattie took the thoughts of a father, anxious about the premature birth of his daughter some fifty years ago, and has captured the initial concerns and worries with her usual lyrical skill. As usual with Hattie’s work it’s not the lyrics that make the first impression though; it’s that crystal-clear voice that instantly captures the listener and the irresistible melodies that Hattie never fails to wrap around her lyrics. Unlike most of her contemporaries who can loosely be grouped into the folk genre, Hattie has taken that sound purely as a base for her songs and has developed it far more than any of the other new ‘folkies’ that have emerged during the past few years. Although there is still that unique Englishness about Hattie’s vocals it’s becoming increasingly difficult not to think of Joni Mitchell while listening to Hattie’s work. Another album that recently has started coming to mind while listening to Hattie is Van Morrison’s ‘Astral Weeks’; it’s not because Hattie is vocally similar to either artist but the arrangements and production of her work display the same depth and that mystical feel one gets while listening to talents such as those mentioned. It’s because of Hattie’s skill as a lyricist that ‘Early Girl’ is not over sentimental in any way but which will touch the hearts of all who hear her words. There are few who have not actually lived through such an experience who can capture what must be going through the minds of the expectant parents during a premature birth as articulately as Hattie has here. It’s another stunning piece of work from one of our most talented musicians. ‘Early Girl’ is only being issued in a limited edition and if Hattie’s latest project is as successful as her 12 Months Of Madness one was then head for http://www.hattiebriggs.co.uk/5_418.html to read more about the single before they are all snapped up. Not only is Hattie Briggs one of the most talented musicians to emerge during the past few years she’s one of the most interesting when it comes to keeping her music fresh and the way she is always looking for new ways to get her music noticed is to be admired. ‘Early Girl’ is another fine addition to Hattie’s catalogue and worthy of your attention.

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