If you're a fan of Celtic music, then
Heidi Talbot's voice will likely sound familiar -- she's been the lead singer for
Cherish the Ladies since 2003. On her second solo album she continues exploring a number of non-folk genres, though without completely leaving the acoustic-based context in which she has done most of her previous work. Guest musicians include folk-pop legends
Boo Hewerdine and
Eddi Reader, as well as former
Battlefield Band fiddler
John McCusker and flute/whistle virtuoso
Michael McGoldrick.
Talbot's breathy voice is perfectly suited to quiet songs of longing like "If You Stay" and
Hewerdine's "Invisible," and she long ago learned how to make sprightly trad fare like "Bedlam Boys" her own. What's more impressive is the way she's able to deliver a hymn of grizzled regret like "Time" (the
Tom Waits song) with both tenderness and convincing authority. Strangely, she fails to invest "Cathedrals" with quite the same gravitas --
Jay Clifford sang it less prettily but more convincingly with
Jump, Little Children. But her version is still plenty enjoyable, and if it's the weakest track on this album -- and arguably it is -- then that just goes to show what an impressive record this is. Very highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson