This compilation of Maggie Holland's work covers the years 1983-1992, with one cut of re-recorded material since then, the opener, and one of her best songs, "A Place Called England." She's more of an interpreter than a writer (of the 24 tracks here, just eight come from her own pen), with eclectic tastes -- everything from Billy Bragg to Randy Newman and a couple of traditional pieces. Playing guitar, banjo and bass, she favors the very stripped-down solo sound on most pieces. That starkness serves her well, framing a voice that's not essentially made for folk music, but perfectly effective in this context. She seems to approach songs formally, rather than relaxing, which can seem a little disconcerting at times (her anger seems more righteous than outright fury on "If I Had a Rocket Launcher," for instance), but she's a convincing performer with interesting tastes who deserves to be much more widely known. Although she's not always prolific, when she does write, she creates some wonderfully haunting pieces, like "A Proper Sort of Gardener" or the evocative and political "Perfumes of Arabia," both of which have been covered by others. An excellent introduction to a remarkable talent.
© Chris Nickson /TiVo