Lowri Evans - Corner of My Eye

by Malcolm Carter

published: 18 / 11 / 2013

Label: Osmosys
Format: CD

Enjoyable but unfocused and over-affected latest album from Welsh-born singer-songwriter, Lowri Evans

Review

Born in Haverfordwest, a market town in Pembrokeshire, Wales, Lowri Evans began her recording career in 2005 with the release of the English language EP ‘Little People’, before following it up a year later with her first Welsh language release, another EP titled ‘Clyw Sibrydion’. Since then Evans has more or less alternated between the two languages with every subsequent release. For her latest collection Evans collects ten original songs sung in English. You’ll find many, many reviews praising her vocals, and, while Evans certainly has something special vocally, it isn’t that voice which is the most appealing thing on this album. Being a brilliant songwriter doesn’t necessarily equate to that person being the best singer or interpreter of a song. The album that was played just before ‘Corner of My Eye’ is a good example. None other than Jimmy Webb has just released his second album of ‘duets’, and if an artist of Webb’s calibre recognizes that he is limited in the vocal department and that his songs can be interpreted better by other singers then there can’t be any shame in that. Each and every song on ‘Corner of My Eye’ is a little gem. Each song is superbly played (musicians include Martin Simpson and Andy Cutting) and brilliantly produced (by Evans along with Lee Mason who also takes on electric, acoustic and bass duties as well as some glowing Hammond organ), so there is absolutely no problem with the material. The niggle is with Evans’ vocals. While some tracks such as, ‘Deep Inside’, start off vocally perfect, and any misgivings that the listener had about the vocals on previous songs seem to be a little harsh, it isn’t long before the Evans warble makes an appearance and once again the feeling takes over that Evans can’t quite decide whether she wants to be Dar Williams or Cyndi Lauper. The fact that producer Lee Mason lends a hand vocally on a number of these songs is also quite telling. Although Mason’s vocal presence doesn’t stop Evans’ quivering voice from making an appearance, it does distract from them and actually adds to the appeal of the songs he sings on. Little girl lost vocals or the tomboy who lives down the road? It’s going to have to be one thing or another because flitting between the two, especially in the space of one song, and introducing her quivering inflections just after Evans has put in a brilliant heartfelt vocal performance is not the way to treat such well-crafted songs. The second song here, ‘Because of You’, is a beautiful piece of songwriting, a pretty melody that is simply irresistible, Martin Simpson’s guitar work is breathtaking and the whole song is perfect; it’s a fine example of just how talented Evans is and how she really should refrain from that warble that is going to turn away as many listeners as it will attract; there’s no need for it and ‘Because of You’ confirms that. Unfortunately the opening song that precedes ‘Because of You’ which is the title song and (unfathomable) first single, ‘Corner of My Eye’, is where Evans utilizes that quiver the most, The actual song both lyrically and musically is superb, and in the hands of a sympathetic interpreter would warrant the acclaim it has gained so far but sadly Evans’ vocal lets the song down. While Evans is far from being a merely average vocalist (she could certainly give those songwriters whose limited vocal range means that the definitive versions of their songs lie in others voices a run for their money) some of the songs on ‘Corner of My Eye’ are screaming out for a purer, less affected performance. ‘Treacherous Heart’ with its bluesy guitar and warming Hammond to the fore is another song that doesn’t quite suit the breathy delivery that Evans affords it. Again an excellent song is saved from being a vocal let-down by Lee Mason’s vocal injections. ‘Can’t Say For Sure’ is one of the songs where Evans vocals really shine; even with Andy Cutting’s accordion and Nerys Richards’ cello adding such texture to the track it’s still Evans’ vocals that own the song. One of the most stripped-back songs on offer it brings out the most heartfelt reading from Evans. Even though far from the best song on the album, it shows that Evans can vocally match the excellence of her songwriting and arranging. If all the cuts on ‘Corner of My Eye’ were vocally as good as this one, the album would have a mini-classic. It would be interesting to hear these songs by another singer; Evans is a brilliant songwriter and certainly knows how to arrange and produce her music. She can’t be faulted there, but this album could have been so much more appealing if Evans kept her vocals pure as she does on a few of the tracks.

Track Listing:-

1 Corner of My Eye
2 Because of You
3 Treacherous Heart
4 Can't Say for Sure
5 Deep Inside
6 Talk to Me
7 Hello Love
8 Easy and Slow
9 My Friend
10 Love Hate