Ellie Ford
Album: Show Night In
Label: Hidden Trail
Tracks: 7
Website: http://www.ellie-ford.co.uk

I first came across Ellie Ford as one of the stand out tracks on the Hidden Trail compilation, "Hidden Brighton", an album which Ellie herself was involved in the artworking of, as indeed she is with her own EP, "Show Night In" which recently dropped through the letterbox here.

"Show Night In" features five tracks with two of them reprised in live form at the end of the release, by which time you've already feel for the quality of both her writing and performing, which is consistently high. Ellie as well as being an artist and songwriter, is also a multi-instrumentalist, including harp.

Ellie Ford is an artist and she doesn't seem to mind if she's filling a canvas in with brushes or words, the important thing is what she's trying to say and that she expresses it well. Now if that sounds a bit arty, it is, but don't be put off because the richness is in the function and form, there's a distinct lack of frippery to distract you from what's important.

The result may be considered a little scarce, personally I prefer the word essential , feelings and stories displayed in a raw form that you can't help be moved by, be it the lyric or tune, there is a real captivation in what gets to caress your ears. Ellie Ford is a rare talent and one that I hope we'll be hearing a lot more from.

Neil King