Emily Hurd - Long Lost Ghosts

  by Lisa Torem

published: 8 / 12 / 2011

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Review

Singer-songwriter Emily Hurd has recorded eight full-length studio albums, which feature her thrilling vocals, sensitive piano and often-heartbreaking songs. Her newest release, “Long Lost Ghosts” merges together her enormous love of nature, propensity for wanderlust and downright romance. She wrote the songs in a threadbare manner; first on her ukulele and then magnified the themes with grand piano at King Size Sound in Chicago. Her backing band was also comprised of Chicago session masters such as John Abbey, Darren Garvey and Maria McCullough. Emily has received airplay on WXRT and WGN TV and was a winner/finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, NPR’s New Song Contest and The International Songwriting Competition. She has even been given a grand tribute by her neighbours and friends in North Carolina; aptly called 'Emilyfest'. Overall, her vocal quality imbues a tear-soaked jubilance, optimism and wisdom. In the first cut, ‘Long Lost Ghost’, she sings: “In the field the sun hung colours from above.” The touches of nature smartly adorn her startling, clear voice. ‘A Lot Like’ has sharply executed lyrics and its banter recalls the superb Harry Chapin. The next romp is ‘My Favorite Part’: “Queue up the records until they are spinning.” Her thundering, distinguished piano embraces her warm contralto. ‘I Love You Too’ is a funkier tune, awash with attitude in which she admits: “No one likes to be the first to say ‘I love you.’” She gently prods her reluctant lover into taking the first step. A gripping soliloquy develops in ‘Silent Conversations’ in which she illustrates her flawless range, which is shadowed by angelic harmonies. ‘I Won’t Tell a Soul’ harkens us back to the woodlands. “I told it to the bright star/I told it to the skylark.” With this song, we are also treated to a generous slice of Americana. ‘Irreparably Yours’ is ambiguous: “You broke my heart in a nice way…” until we also find "You broke the spell that weighed me down." ‘Brand New’ features a spine-tingling piano progression, which underlies Emily’s stunning delivery. ‘Skipping Stones’ simmers with vitality, but the last song, ‘Easy Call’ is by far the most romantic: “Hearts that flutter, tongues that stutter/I have fallen for no other.” She asks: “Is it any wonder that I’ve come to love you so?” Strains of Joni Mitchell’s signature album, 'Blue', come to mind. Emily Hurd has made a lovely album that exposes the palpable beauty that both love and nature have in common.

Track Listing:-

1 Long Lost Ghosts
2 A Lot Like
3 My Favorite Part
4 I Love You Too
5 Silent Conversations
6 I Won't Tell a Soul
7 Irreparably Yours
8 Brand New
9 Skipping Stones
10 Easy Call

Band Links:-

http://www.emilyhurd.com/
https://www.facebook.com/emilyhurdfans
https://twitter.com/emilyhurd
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRK6F
https://plus.google.com/+EmilyHurdmusi