Reviews
Artist: Nia Morgan
Album: Nia Morgan
Label: Patrin Records
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.niamorgan.com
There is definite promise from this Welsh born singer songwriter, musically the album is good, the soft mellow lullabies whispered nostalgically by Nia Morgan from her debut sounds like something I'd want to drowsily awaken to on a smoke filled, sun kissed Sunday morning. The second most fitting place to find these tracks would be on the soundtrack to and elf-ridden "Lord of the Rings". This is particularly true for those few songs included on the album that are written and performed entirely in Welsh. An ever dangerous tactic to lyrically limit your audience to those who are Welsh speaking.
The album Nia Morgan was recorded in the lofty heights of Snowdonia, North Wales, with ex-Gorky's Zycotic Mynci guitarist John Lawrence and among the 10 tracks of this self named album debut, through the initial aesthetically pleasing harmonies rippling with Morgans expression of rural Welsh farm roots and hushed purities, before developing into songs less representative of her native sound and deviating away from her obvious folk heritage.
Morgan delivers a great sound, evident of a lifetime of musical training whilst still maintaining the unaggressive rawness and shy quietness that leaves her stage presence little to be desired. This is exceptionally true in "Poppies" as Nia breathes down the microphone "standing here with the ghosts of November" retelling the harrowing tale of love sick romance through frosted woeful eyes.
Despite the talent that Morgan showcases, she still hasn't managed to reach the level of exceptional vocal ability in comparison to her peers Norah Jones or Damien Rice.
Lyrically she is at par with some of the best, but vocally her affinity to drift means that even the most melancholy of tracks drift away from the rigid outlines that guide today's folk scene, however I can only assume this based on the tracks that I can understand, cutting this 10 track hit down to a stingy 6 track masquerade ball that disguises potential beauty and true honesty with an artificial mask.
I would definitely recommend Nia Morgan's debut to all those fluent in Welsh and interested in expanding their musical horizons.
Atlas