Mary Leay - For the Last Time

by Malcolm Carter

published: 31 / 3 / 2012

Label: Rezzonator Music
Format: CD

Atmospheric debut album from Sussex based singer-songwriter Mary Leay which, after a bad start, proves totally compelling

Review

Sussex based singer-songwriter Mary Leay possess one hell of a voice. Quintessentially English, pure and honest it captures you from the very first second you hear it. Leay is one of those singers you just can’t help but believe in. She’ll have you hanging on every word and her vocals are powerful, soulful and passionate, sometimes all of this within the space of just one song. But in kicking off her debut album, which was co-written with songwriter, film composer and producer Michael J McEvoy, with the weakest song on ‘For the Last Time’ Leay runs the risk, in these days where attention spans are at an all time low, of losing out on a host of potential fans. ‘Trying To Love You’, the track in question, is a solid enough song and lyrically interesting but if it wasn’t for Leay’s strong vocal performance grabbing your attention the dreariness of the song wouldn’t give you any indication of the treats that are to follow. There’s nothing wrong with the song. It’s just that’s it’s so overshadowed by what follows you are left wondering how many people will switch off after that first track and miss out on Leay’s best tunes. Great things were expected from Leay’s debut by those who have been following the ‘Sunday Sessions’ that this talented singer has been posting on the internet for some time. Apart from stripped down original songs, Leay has been uploading low-fi and low quality videos of a number of covers. There is an interesting batch of songs there, all stripped back with just Leay’s voice and acoustic guitar showing time and time again that not only does she have impeccable musical taste but that her greatest asset is that voice. Leay takes Coldplay’s Christmas single from a couple of years back and with just voice and guitar turns it into that rarest of beasts, a seasonal song that you can enjoy for 12 months of the year. Taking Blink 182’s ‘I Miss You’ and tackling it in the same way was a brave move but it works extremely well; as for the covers of Shawn Colvin, Joan Osborne and Alison Krauss again it’s Leay’s voice that turns these stripped-back heartfelt versions into things of beauty. So initially ‘For the Last Time’ disappoints. If that opening song had been the last on the album and the second song, ‘This Day’ had been an introduction to Leay’s work, it would have thrown a completely different light on the album. With its lush orchestration, ‘This Day’ has a more instantly appealing melody and Leay’s vocals are simply stunning. It’s an absolute gem of a song and one that will win over many listeners, if they don’t lose interest after the opening song. To prove that ‘This Day’ was no fluke Leay follows it up with ‘Almost Home’, her breathy vocals showing another side to her vocal abilities and another melody that eats right into you. Leay’s vocal performance here leaves you almost breathless. She drags you right into the song and you’ll feel every word. Co-producer McEvoy’s guitar lines stand out particularly on ‘Rose Of Gold’ and not for the first time do you appreciate just why it took three years for Leay and McEvoy to complete this album, apart from that shaky start (which eventually does reveal its beauty, it just takes longer than the rest of the songs) it’s a perfect collection of songs that are impossible to slip into any genre. The only non-original on ‘For the Last Time’ is a cover of the Yes song, ‘Owner of a Lonely Heart’ and Leay strips back the song, not nearly as much as the covers she has posted on the internet, but sufficiently enough to make the song almost unrecognisable. It’s an atmospheric piece of work and Leay’s unusually sultry vocals really do suit this song. The title track recalls Leay’s past; a professional opera singer trained her and Leay thought musical theatre was to be her future. There is a touch of the musicals about this song, and Marti Webb was one name that came forward while listening to this song. Again, it’s a little gem of a song made shone to perfection by those impressive vocals. For an album that sounded destined to disappoint on first listen ‘For The Last Time’ hasn’t done too badly; it’s hardly been out of the CD player the last few weeks. It’s a grower for sure but well worth sticking with.

Track Listing:-

1 Trying to Love you
2 This Day
3 Almost Home
4 Take me as I could be
5 Rose of Gold
6 Albatross
7 Owner of a Lonely Heart
8 Where are we Now
9 For the Last Time
10 Making my Move