published: 12 /
1 /
2013
Label:
Abagail Grey Records
Format: CDS
Evocative folk rock on five track EP from Inverness-based singer-songwriter Abagail Grey, which takes its main influence from winter
Review
Inverness-based singer-songwriter Claire Campbell aka Abagail Grey finds winter a particularly inspiring season. Even the title of her new five track EP invokes images of frosty clear sky and the bright warmth of a fire, decay and hibernation and of course delicate, individual patterns of a snowflake.
"I always find winter a very poetic time," Campbell says. I am expecting lilting folk melodies and intricate story telling. I'm not disappointed. The first three tracks 'Beauty', 'Bee' and 'Starling' are soft and sweet enough. 'Winter' is my favourite. It mixes quiet reflection, strings and a trumpet with upbeat piano melodies that somehow sound like icicles, bright but brittle. The EP closes with 'Robin', another more lively number. This time it features rapid fire lyrics and the odd snatch of almost marching band style drums.
Realistically this sounded like I expected it would from the description I was given. If female singer songwriters who mix elements of folk style with more modern lyrics don't appeal then, Abagail Grey probably won't change your mind. But if it is your kind of music then I would recommend giving it a listen. Grey has mixed up the sounds by adding that snatch of a more formal drum beat, some upright bass, some brass and some strings. These elements are mostly subtle, but give you a sense that this is a slightly different type of modern folk.
Track Listing:-
1
Beauty
2
Bee
3
Starling
4
Winter
5
Robin
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/Abagailgrey/
http://abagailgrey.com/
https://twitter.com/abagailgreyband
https://abagailgrey.bandcamp.com/
http://www.last.fm/music/Abagail+Grey