Peach and Quiet - Beautiful Thing

  by Julie Cruickshank

published: 26 / 4 / 2023

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Review

From a log house on the West Coast of Canada, Jonny Miller and Heather Read released their debut album ‘Just Beyond the Shine’ in 2021. Acclaimed around the world, the album topped the folk and roots music charts in North America. The duo’s second album ‘Beautiful Thing’ consists of 12 original songs and employs the talents of guest players Steve Dawson (who also produced the album) on electric, pedal steel and slide guitar, drummer Gary Craig, bassist Jeremy Holmes and Chris Gestrin on keyboards. The album opens with title track ‘Beautiful Thing’, a lovely, lush, dreamy slice of folk-rock. Sung by Jonny Miller in a straightforward manner, in contrast to its rich, sparkling musical content, the song explores second chances. ‘Calgary Skyline’ features sinuous slide guitar, swirling and whirling throughout a mid-tempo rock track. ‘Pockets Empty’ is sung by Heather Read, her warm earthy voice complemented by a gorgeous mellow guitar solo. Jonny takes lead vocal on ‘Behind the Sun’; a glorious, bluesy, shimmering confection of keyboards and guitar speaks of the lurking destruction always behind happiness: “I am the darkness inside the flame/I am the stone that sharpens the blade”. ‘Just Before the Dawn’, sung by Heather has a country music feel, while ‘Horse and Saddle’ combines a reggae rhythm with slide guitar, an unusual combination which somehow works. ‘This Time’ is a standout track, another country-style song notable for a fabulous guitar solo. ‘Song From a Tree’ has a slight psychedelic feel, while ‘That Is For Sure’ is a sweet, joyful love song. Final track ‘When You’re Gone’ is a fitting coda to the album, a mellow reflection upon the loss of a loved one, rich with euphonious slide guitar and brooding keyboards. ‘Beautiful Thing’ is a fine album, both relaxing and uplifting, and establishes Peach and Quiet as exciting and accomplished exponents of new folk/roots music.

Track Listing:-

1 Beautiful Thing
2 Calgary Skyline
3 Pockets Empty
4 Behind the Sun
5 Just Before the Dawn
6 Horse and Saddle
7 This Time
8 Oklahoma or Arkansas
9 Save Me Tonight
10 Song From a Tree
11 That Is for Sure
12 When You're Gone

Band Links:-

https://www.peachandquietmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/peachandquiet
https://twitter.com/peachquietmusic

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