Ange Hardy
Album: Bare Foot Folk
Label: Story Records
Tracks: 14
Website: http://www.angehardy.com

I've had this album in my car for the last week, listening as I went about my time. I think it takes a number of listens to appreciate what this album has achieved, and how brightly it actually shines. What is clear from the start is that Ange has a songbird voice. Smooth and natural, never shrill or indeed, anything less than endearing. This voice is sometimes alone, sometimes layered to create plush harmonies in an otherwise simple orchestration.

For the majority of the the album backing for the vocal is achieved by a single, simple acoustic guitar. This consistency achieves a theme for the album musically which binds it together very well. But it is the songs themselves that are allowed to be the stars here. They do give the impression of being traditional when in fact Ange has penned the whole album. They are beautifully told tales of trying to get a son to sleep or a ship lost at sea or an inappropriate Facebook status. All erudite, heartfelt and written with a tenderness that allows you to lose yourself in the vocal delivery. A lovely album.

Mike Rolland