The Celia Bryce Band
Album: Links
Label: Vermillion Road
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.facebook.com/theceliabband

When "Links" fell out of the envelope, the name The Celia Bryce Band, seemed vaguely familiar, but a quick look on the Fatea database didn't throw up any clues, then I noticed the accompanying press release and that mentioned a previous solo album, "No Deals, No Promises" back in 2007, but still nothing on the database, then my son walked in and asked, "Is this the same Celia Bryce, that wrote, Anthem For Jackson Dawes ?" and it all fell into place.

"Anthem For Jackson Dawes" is a novel for young adults set on a children's cancer ward that was given to us by a friend from the North East, which is where Celia happens to hail from, something that gets reflected on the cd, as does that emotive empathetic touch that she brings to her book writing.

Phraseology is about the only thing that separates the Anglicana/Americana scenes at the moment, the quality of the writing and performance are easily on a par, it's the way the songwriters put their words together which gives the differentiator and that seems to be more accented on this album than some.

Celia, is joined by Tony Schofield and Colin Bradshaw on the musicians side of the desk, but it's hard to mention this album without mentioning the person behind the knobs and sliders, producer Tony Davis who brings out a classic country sound, without letting it polish out those regional traits that give the album, not only it's head, but it's heart.

Perhaps more than anywhere this comes across on "Small Print" a song that uses the traditional role of terms and conditions tucked neatly away for the unwary as a metaphor for life generally, it's Nashville, but it's also North East, not that you could identify a word or chord that would describe it thus.

With such a rich sound to work with and against, combined with a series of glorious lyrics, Celia Bryce's, alternatively raunchy and bluesy voice comes across simply oozing class. "Links" is an album that's joined up from start to finish and there don't appear to be any weak spots in the chain.

Neil King