Emily Maguire
Album: Bird Inside A Cage
Label: Shaktu
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.emilymaguire.com

Emily Maguire has had a story like journey these past few years, from cheese making in Australia, to BBC Radio 2 and the Albert Hall.

Her long awaited fourth album, Bird Inside a Cage,has finally arrived, and believe me, it is worth the wait!

The album was produced by Nigel Butler, one of the producers on X Factor, who has worked with artists ranging from K.D.Lang and Tom Jones to Will Young and Robbie Williams. Emily explores a sound which at times brings to mind that of Sarah McLachlan as she blurs the lines of genre.

The deeply moving title track of the album was inspired by the story of Melanie Reid, a Times journalist who was paralysed in a horse-riding accident in 2010, writer of the paper's regular Spinal Column. On encountering Melanie's article describing her first year in a wheelchair, Emily was inspired to write Bird Inside a Cage for her.

The opening track, Beautiful, is the standout track for me; a lovely message, as Emily says, 'For women everywhere,' which deserves massive radio play.

Over The Waterfall articulately tells Emily's own story, whilst North and South and Bicycle Made for Two are lyrically very strong, augmented by Emily's wonderful piano playing, husband Christian Dunham on bass and the stunning musical production.

I could wax lyrical all day, but suffice to say that everyone needs this CD in their collection; whilst you're at it, get her earlier albums if you don't already have them. Listen out for her on radio as I suspect some of these songs are going to be big radio hits. She is also touring the UK later this year; check out the dates and see her performing near you.

Helen Mitchell