Sarah MacDougall
Album: The Greatest Ones Alive
Label: Rabbit Heart
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.sarahmacdougall.com

"Less well received than the previous, self produced, "Across The Atlantic," Sarah MacDougal's third release "The Greatest Ones Alive," still contains enough bewitching songs and great melody to captivate first time listeners. She has been compared to Neko Case, Joan Baez, and Buffy St Marie. But this time round her distinctive voice, with its husky fragilty has more in common with Melanie Safka , and her beguiling songs recall Eliza Gilkyson and the oft forgotten Lesley Duncan.

Born in Sweden but now resident in Canada her album is full of elemental imagery but at the same time intimately personal. Songs of reflection, loss, friendship and transience reveal someone who has loved and suffered but ultimately the vibe is upbeat. Sarah MacDougal is a survivor. Musically diverse there is hardly a weak track on this album. Despite occasional pedal steel fill-ins it is very much at the Americana/folk end of things and is imbued with a warmth that should melt all but the most cynical heart. Sharing production chores with Matt Rogers and Bob Hamilton to concentrate on her lyrics and singing has paid off. Sarah Macdougal does not disappoint. Just embarked on a tour of the UK, an evening with her might just fend off the autumn blues. Search her out."

Doug