Tim Edey
Album: Sailing Over The Seventh String
Label: Gnatbite
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.timedey.co.uk

It is difficult to see how "Sailing Over The Seventh String" can do anything than enhance the reputation of award winning multi-instrumentalist Tim Edey, delivering eleven instrumental tracks across a multitude of guitars and the odd bit of melodeon thrown in for good measure.

With his range of instrumental ability, I'm sure there was the thought of putting the whole album together as a solo effort, but instead Edey chose to invite a few friends on board and what guests they are. For a start there is hugely popular and talented Scots fiddle player Patsy Reid and percussionist Lucy Randall, plus longstanding mate and fellow guitarist Steve Cooney.

Edey delivers an album that really talks so much you almost forget that it's an album without words. Duets are performed with other guitars, backing vocals fiddle and bodhran, it leads to an album that really does speak through the strings and chords rather than vocal chords.

"Sailing Over The Seventh String" is quite an emotional album, but one that seems to draw more from the positive side of things. Edey has had a good couple of years and there is a relaxed contentment about the album, note contentment, not complacency. Edey continues to push himself to ensure you get to hear these tunes at their absolute best.

There's a real mix of tempo, opportunities to relax, opportunities to look into the face of the storm. Tim Edey has delivered another album that will no doubt see him lined up for nominations across the awards spectrum, but actually he's also delivered an album that will appeal across a wide spectrum, it doesn't feel like an album made by a musician, or two or three, for musicians, but more like an album that will find a way into listeners hearts, be they folkies or not. "Sailing Over The Seventh String" is an album for people that have got no idea what the title means.

Neil King