Reviews

Artist: Megson
Album: On The Side
Label: EDJ Records
Tracks: 11
Rating: *****
Contact:  www.megsonmusic.co.uk

On The Side has got the distinction for being the first album rated 5 by Cambridge And Beyond. A truly remarkable debut album, that sweeps across you with the freshness of a spring breeze.
The song selection on the album is fantastic. Seven of the tracks are traditional folk songs given a contemporary make over consisting of rich harmonies interweaved which delicate instrumentation and lush chords.
Interspersed with this are the four songs penned from within the band. It's one of these, Freefall, where Stu Hanna takes over the vocal from Debbie Palmer, that is the Star Of Africa in an already glistening crown.
On The Side is an album that has an excess of riches. There are hints at the band's influences, Simon & Garfunkle, The Byrds, Ruby Blue and even the Beachboys, but nothing more than hints that inform the distinctive of this highly impressive duo.
Debbie has a voice that you could listen to all day and it just settles into a package of brilliant tunesmithing. Note I saw tunesmithing rather than songwriting. They are great songwriters, but it's that ability to take traditional tunes and make them their own that sets them apart.
Just listen to their interpretation of Sandy Daw or The Oak And The Ash and ask yourself if you've ever heard it done better.
Where Megson go from here is anyone's guess, but surely it's got to be on to bigger things.