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Crisp and accomplished; delicate and resourceful, the hushed vocals and lush harmonies shine a bright light on Welsh duo act Tapestri who unveil their wider talents on the music community with the release of a debut album. TELL ME WORLD harnesses the attributes of experienced performers Lowri Evans and Sarah Zyborska and you have a record capable of making a significant impression in an ever competitive market. Ten tracks combining bi-lingual titles form this record and represent the proud status of the two players representing the north and south of their heritage. Outside of the Tapestri project, Sarah Zyborska recorded under the name Sera and was the architect of a very good 2016 album titled LITTLE GIRL, while Lowri Evans is a widely experienced solo singer-songwriter. For those who missed their previous work, the new record is a good starting point.
Most of the tracks are co-written with the odd two out being 'She's a Lover', the sole creation of Evans, and 'Genes', a very personal offering from Zyborska. The former is also family influenced and hugely personal as well. The latter celebrates a birth occurring during the making of the album, so impossible not to reflect this momentous occasion in song.
Two songs get their Welsh language translations in the titles and were both singles in the run up to the album getting its full release. 'Y Fflam' translates to open flame, while 'Atgofin' means sweet memories. The lyrics are sung in Welsh and carry a mystical elegance to non-speakers just the same as Scots Gaelic can do.
The pair refer to being influenced by the US Highwomen collaboration and this is clearly detected in 'Waiting in the Background'. The spirit of Carlile/Hemby/Morris/Shires is evoked in Evans/Zyborska and the result is well received. The album title doubles up as the opening track and launches you straight into a model sound blessed with a fetching melody and instrumentation that underpins the entirety. Guitars, keys and notable pedal steel feature widely and assist placing it in the folk-American sphere though with a Celtic edge. 'Tell Me World' was one of the quartet of single releases alongside the two aforementioned songs and the pedal steel laced 'Save Your Love' that weaves its magic in the early stages of an album lasting an optimum forty minutes.
'Crazy, Crazy Times' is a clever lyrical ploy and reflects that this record took a long time to make with the obvious barrier being the pandemic. This slips into 'Workshop' implying that havens can come in all shapes and sizes. 'Come Alive' completes the nice round ten and like so many of its co-tracks is representative of the overall album sound. Namely, a record that responds to open ears and those partial to gently spun harmonies within a soft twang filled environment delving deep into the sweet sound of folk, country and Americana music.
Giving a little space to TELL ME WORLD and the delights of Tapestri won't disappoint. It's a classy collaboration weaving two voices projecting sensitive gender and language poignancies.
