Fayssoux
Album: I Can't Wait
Label: Red Beet
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.reverbnation.com/fayssouxmclean

Fayssoux, or Fayssoux Starling McLean to give her her full name, has been a part of the country music business for many years, coming to prominence in the early 1970's primarily as a backing singer for Emmylou Harris.

Despite having a stunning and distinctive voice combined with a potential glittering career, Fayssoux dropped out of the industry later in the 1970's becoming a teacher in her native South Carolina. She continued teaching until 1996 when she was featured in a music book. She then sang at the launch of the book and a new career commenced.

She writes most of her own songs and has a voice with the same sort of soulfulness as does Mary Chapin Carpenter. She also sings traditional folk and gospel but her voice is most suited, to my mind at least, to country.

The album has been produced in Nashville where Fayssoux is supported by some quality musicians which is just what you would expect from that City. Her voice just calls out to be listened to. I am not really sure how old she is, you can probably guess from the dates above, but with maturity comes the wonderful timing and soulful feeling.

The title track "I can't wait" introduces the album and sets the theme for the rest of it. Guitars, fiddle and mandolin are all featured on this lovely track. If you are familiar with the music of Mary Chapin Carpenter, listen carefully to the second track. It could be Mary singing.

There is not a bad track on the album which is also extremely varied from real soulful country to a bit of upbeat blues. "Hell on a poor boy" showcases Fayssoux's voice perfectly dragging the listener into her world of superb music. "Running out of lies" is just simply a beautiful song!

I have no idea what Fayssoux was like as a teacher but there is no doubt that she is a very accomplished vocalist and I for one am really pleased that she gave up teaching and went back to her musical roots.

I have now listened to this album about a dozen times already and each time I have heard something new. I am looking forward to the next dozen listens too!

Rory Stanbridge