I have long worked with Stevie Horton at Iconic Music & Media, and when she sent me this album she said, “here is something really special – and very beautiful”, and I was immediately intrigued. After playing it for the first time I knew she was right on both counts, and here was something quite majestic indeed. Although it never comes across as such, this is her debut album, as she is a classically trained violinist and composer and can normally be found supporting others such Ashley Hutchings who said about this, “her talent as a singer, songwriter and musician is plain for all to see to enjoy”.

There are a large number of musicians on the album, while Ruth provides vocals, acoustic guitar and violin, yet the arrangements are designed with both strength and fragility, and sometimes it can just be voices and acoustic guitars then at others it can be majestic and full blown with violins, violas, cello and a full band. She obviously has a close relationship with Becky Mills who not only provides acoustic but also backing vocals, and their voices blend incredibly well together. The songs all feel very personal, and while there is just the one cover (of Joni Mitchell’s “Magdalene Laundries”), some of the songs are poems she has uncovered and then placed to music. She also comments that some of the songs were written when her son was very young, but given he is now 10 it shows she has been building up to this for some time.

She moves more into Americana with “Treasure”, yet for the most part this is more in line with modern folk, with her vocals always front and centre. There are times when I am reminded somewhat of Jo Beth Young, and like her works there is no doubt that this is something which is quite out of the ordinary, music to sit inside and listen intently. If ever an album screams out to be played on headphones it is this, as each song is very visual and takes the listener on a wonderful journey of discovery. “Little Boy Blue” is about the little Syrian refugee boy Alan Kurdi aged three, who drowned attempting with his family to reach the Greek Island of Kos, and the empathy and sympathy is there for all to hear. It may have taken Ruth some time to put herself front and centre but now she has done so I can only hope she brings us another album soon as this is very, very special indeed.

Rating: 10/10

Links:
https://ruthangell.com/
https://talkingelephant.co.uk/