Polly Barrett - Probably Me

by Malcolm Carter

published: 2 / 9 / 2014

Label: Jawdroppper
Format: CD

Irresistible folk pop on haunting second album from Irish singer-songwriter, Polly Barrett

Review

Before we even mention the music on ‘Probably Me’, the second album from Irish singer/songwriter Polly Barrett, just a few words about the sleeve. In a year when independent labels really have shown imagination and courage with their album sleeves, ‘Probably Me’, must surely rank as one of the best. The cover artwork by Eleanor Reilly is stunning; it’s simply irresistible, much like the music within. Words cannot capture the beauty displayed in the artwork so, if you have a chance, check it out. Following on from 2012’s debut, ‘Mr. Bookshop’, where Barrett proved she was an immensely talented songwriter with a voice to match, ‘Probably Me’ features eight original songs from Barrett and two by the well-known and popular ‘trad. arr.’. While the comparisons to other female singer/songwriters who are keeping the folk idiom alive still ring strong and we still have to stand by the comments made in our review of ‘Mr. Bookshop’ that Barrett bears a remarkable resemblance to Nanci Griffith vocally, there is no denying that in the relatively short time between Barrett’s debut and ‘Probably Me’ this talented Irish singer has, in many ways, found her own voice on this album. The original songs on this album are extremely strong, even more so than on ‘Mr. Bookshop'. While I’m loath to say that Barrett’s songwriting has developed as it was fully-formed and perfect on her last outing, this time her lyrics pack more of a punch, and, although her attractive melodies are as captivating as usual, Barrett’s lyrics seem to hit harder this time around. The two non-originals, ‘P Stands For Paddy, I Suppose’ and ‘Anachie Gordon’, will both be familiar to any folk music fan. While the latter displays Barrett’s pure vocal style perfectly and at this moment in time is showing every indication of becoming the version of this particular song, ‘P Stands For Paddy, I Suppose’, which features producer Scott Poley’s excellent dobro skills (Poley also plays guitar, mandolin, keyboards and drums on the album), shows that Barrett is more than adept at taking traditional folk songs, which are the roots of her own work, and adding her own identity. As good as those two ‘covers’ are it’s the Barrett originals that really take your breath away. There were times, and this is no slight on Barrett’s previous work but confirmation that her writing now matches that of any of the major players in the folk field, that this listener had to check the writing credits. The opening track, ‘The Greater Good’, an anti-war song, begins with Barrett’s gentle vocals chillingly at odds with the lyrics, “A little boy who won’t see 22/He might not even make it to 17/Your mother knows and your daddy he’s the same/They know you’re a little piece in this fake war game” which makes the song even more affecting. With Poley’s acoustic guitar being the main instrument, it another of Barrett’s irresistible melodies and one of her most moving vocal performances, and is a perfect introduction not only to the album but to the talent that is Polly Barrett. ‘Who Knows’ follows and, while still retaining her folk roots, Barrett injects pop sensibilities into the song. It’s one of the more personal songs on ‘Probably Me’ and where the album’s title is taken from. Once again Barrett’s lyrics are easy to relate to, and searching for one's identity is perfectly summed up: “Get rid of the car/Get rid of my clothes/What are you left with/Who knows?/Probably me/Probably someone I’ve never met.” With Poley’s mandolin highlighting the already pretty melody, it’s only the second track and you’re already shaking your head in wonder. While it’s understandable that Barrett records already established folk songs, on tracks like ‘Watch Out, Jack’, where she puts forward her take on the tale of Jack The Ripper, Barrett proves that she can match any of those traditional folk songs; Barrett can tell a tale as well, and in many cases better, than the grandfathers of folk did decades ago. The way Barrett describes the desolate life of ‘Andrew’ is another pointer as to how skilled this songwriter is at articulating her observations of the lives of those we pass by almost everyday. That Barrett can then move swiftly on to the jaunty ‘Lay Me Down’, again injecting her folk with pop leanings without leaving the listener feeling that they had suddenly switched albums, is another indication of her talent. ‘Mr. Bookshop’ was highly rated, ‘Probably Me’ is, without any doubt, an even stronger set of songs that proves that Polly Barrett is here to stay. That debut was no fluke; Polly Barrett is an important artist who is capable of turning a new generation onto folk music. ‘Probably Me’ is one of those rare things; a faultless album of captivating folk/pop that improves with each and every listen.

Track Listing:-

1 The Greater Good
2 Who Knows?
3 P Stands for Paddy, I Suppose
4 Watch out, Jack
5 Hasn't Met You
6 The Way We Used to Be
7 Andrew
8 Lay Me Down
9 Anachie Gordon
10 Sparrow at the Window