Claire Boswell
Album: Claire Boswell
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.claireboswell.com

The flowery, appealingly arty cover design doesn't really prepare you for what to expect on the disc inside. First up is Lowell George's trucker's anthem Willin', which let's face it is a pretty unusual choice of cover for a lady singer, and more so in the pole position of lead track on the debut disc of a singer-songwriter. In a way, then, it's not typical, for the remainder of the album consists of Claire's own songs, with the exception of two traditionals; but even so, things aren't what they seem (two of her songs are titled Reason To Believe and All I Want - and yeah, they ain't covers either!).

Biog time, then: Claire's a singer/songwriter from Worcester, whose performing style is timeless and seemingly effortless, her well-integrated influences ranging from the west-coast Woodstock generation through to alt-country and mainstream folk. She's become known for her innovative solo performances at open-mics and the like, which in turn have rapidly gained her gigs at festivals and radio exposure further afield.

However, on taking the brave step onto CD, she's decided that, rather than lay herself bare with just her guitar for company, she'll provide her own arrangements, engaging seven really good musicians to back her up - and they fit the bill honourably, with adept use of guitars, pedal steel, mandocello, banjo, piano, fiddle, bass and drums, providing a commendably full sound and attractive, believable balance of parts. All very classic; and it's very tasteful, yet with no lack of bite or thrust in the playing - and yet I can't help but feel that the substance and impact of these performances is generated as much from the actual playing as from the songs themselves, which may on the surface sound like a lukewarm critical response that's a touch unkind to Claire's talent but I'm afraid that's the overall impression left by most of this disc. But the fact is that Claire's versatile, proving herself a dab hand at chameleon-like changes of mood and style, from gentle folk-rock and country-rock to honky-tonk twelve-bar, thoughtfully sharing and reflecting the lyrics and their import as necessary.

Each of the songs basically satisfies on its own terms, but their disarming unity doesn't help in presenting the more distinguished demeanour they ideally need in this marketplace. Interestingly, the closing track, The Flower Of Magherally, is done a cappella, a choice for which Claire credits Cathy Jordan's encouragement and inspiration; it's a touch deliberately poised in its ornamentation perhaps, but nevertheless shows much promise for a direction worth pursuing more on future CDs.

David Kidman