In Love And Light

Heidi Talbot

The new Heidi Talbot album is one in a long line of releases to brighten up your new year from the newly formed Navigator Records. For some of you this is the first time you'll have encountered Heidi. Others will know her from 'Cherish The Ladies', her Irish American supergroup.

Heidi's principle collaborator on 'In Love And Light' is the creative all-rounder Boo Hewerdine. Here he produces, in addition to writing, playing and singing. But by no means is he on his own. The rest of the guest list reads like a virtual who's who of top folk talent; John McCusker, Mike McGoldrick, Kris Drever and Eddie Reader all feature in the team. There's even room for a five piece string section.

It's a varied largely upbeat set that isn't short on highlights. Heidi throws herself into the lively spirit of this project. Her lithe voice is a tremendously versatile instrument showing a husky warmth on 'If You Stay' and the soft swing of 'Invisible', where it sits well with the languid upright bass. She's then more than capable of nailing the trad 'Bedlam Boys' and 'Glenogie'. She proudly shows off her Celtic heart singing with all the sharp articulation required to soar above McCusker's swirling mandolin and fiddle.

The music keeps you in it's grip for Tim O'Brien's 'Music Tree' but we're far from done. Her duet with Kris Drever on 'The Blackest Crow' doesn't disappoint with Kris's brogue accentuating Heidi's elastic vocal cords.

Personally I could do without her version of 'Whispering Grass' but within the context of the album it doesn't cause too much of a ripple in the continuity.

This is how the folk and roots scene will continue to prosper. Heidi gives us heartfelt music, unblinkered and unaware of boundaries. The vivacity of 'Everything' puts it in a nutshell,

'We are stardust, we are golden, we are everything that comes to mind. We are fearless, not beholden, we are everything'.


Dave Kushar