I first came across Odette Michell when she combined with Karen Pfeiffer and Daria Kulesh to release the wonderful ‘Flowers’ last year, and now she is back with her second solo album. Here Odette provides not only vocals but also guitar, bouzouki and accordion while there are assorted guests including Phil Beer (Show of Hands) and Chris Leslie (Fairport Convention) on fiddle. There is also a complete reworking of the title track from ‘Flowers’, where she is joined again by Daria and it has been extended to twice the original length. It is interesting to play the two versions one after the other, as this has no percussion and is somewhat more languid and deeper, with more space in the arrangement room for even more beauty.
“Beauty”, that is probably the best way to describe this wonderful folk journey which is closely tied to the tradition yet also brought up to date, all with Odette’s clear vocals front and centre. The arrangements have been designed to provide gossamer support, so there is plenty of strength, but it never gets in the way and always adds as opposed to detract from the song. Opener “The Woodlark & The Fieldfare” is one of the most complex, as she duets with Ninebarrow as well as having multiple musical threads weaving their majesty, yet her voice gently cuts through it all. Talking Elephant Records have long been at the forefront of releasing incredible albums (and prior to that, Malcolm ran the excellent HTD Records), and this is one of the freshest and most enjoyable releases on that label to date. This is music to be savoured, and anyone who enjoys acoustic material with wonderful vocals and material then this is to be discovered immediately if not sooner.
Rating: 10/10
Links:
https://www.odettemichell.com/
https://www.talkingelephant.co.uk/