They say you shouldn’t judge a book (or album) by its cover.
Yet if there is an image so symbolic to the content then the one adorning the
sleeve of the new album by The Delta Bell heads all comers. The solitary pose
of Kate Gerrard, the sparseness of a pale room and its sole possession of a
turntable provide the perfect backdrop to a record that oozes with stripped
back, unconditional organic class. BOW OUT OF THE FADING LIGHT is the debut
release from Kate who adds mystique to the record with her implicit stage name
and is set to project her wave of roots sensibility across the discerning ears
of intelligent music followers.
A magnetic and warming sound reverberates around all eleven
self-penned tracks from Kate who has adeptly assembled a fine team of players
to complement her homely vocals and soothing songs. Whether utilising the
harmonious sound of the harmonium, the magical twang of pedal steel guitar or
the more luxurious string offerings of violin and cello, each selection adds
vibrancy and life to track after track making this a record which refuses to
leave your player, turntable or other device dependent on your preferred
listening medium.
Of course this contemporary link to a misty eyed past is
ideally suited to the vinyl format as depicted on the cover and is perfectly
exhibited in two tracks that emerge as co-firsts among equals. ‘Wasted’ is a jolly rolling pedal steel
infused number with a positive persona disguising the sad sentiments of a
parting song. It is a song that has emerged as the focal point of the album,
but is given a great run in the race for top track by the unashamedly retro pop
piece ‘Forever Yours’, sweetly
flavoured by fabulous numerous ‘sha la las’ and memories of a bygone age where
the music of the masses was seemingly untainted.
Portions of the album and the ensemble’s name offer up
Americana connotations, but there is an idyllic Englishness richly running
through the record. This is no more in evidence than the harmonium intro to the
opening track ‘Carry Me Home’ which
leads into an emotive number possessing all the endearing features of a gospel
piece. This is immediately followed by a cello led adorable ballad titled ‘Phosphorus’ which has had previous
exposure on one of the Fatea Showcase Sessions. The first half of the album
contains another dose of harmonium on the nautical feel to the dreamy and
slightly eerie track ‘Of Mist’. Like
so many of the songs, Kate’s melting vocals resonate perfectly with the keen
ear and conjure up images of music in its most simplest and evocative form.
Elsewhere steel returns to add more country spice to ‘I’ve Seen the Way’, while brass offers
an alternative slant to the opening of ‘Churches’.
‘The second half of the album is anchored by the repetitive splendour of ‘Lay Him Down’ and the acoustic ballad ‘Until the Night’ is an ideal choice to
close the record with a climactic feel to it, while leaving the door open to
what next Kate has to offer next. ‘Every
Tonight’, possessing a heady mix of violin and glockenspiel, is a spritely
number at the core of the record, while ‘Strings’
wraps up the album’s content and goes a long way to symbolising the creative
simplicity that accompanies the 41 minute listening time.
www.thedaeltaball.com