Little Sparrow
Album: Wishing Tree
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.littlesparrow.org

Last year I had the great pleasure of reviewing [in these pages] the debut EP by an amazing artist who goes by the name of Little Sparrow, although her actual name is Katie Ware. Rather than repeat my review here, I would direct the reader to www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/2013/LittleSparrow.html. Suffice it to say that I was enthralled by the four tracks on that EP -"Sending The Message", "Polly", "By My Side" and "The Swallow Flies". Seeing Katie perform live at Liverpool Acoustic confirmed my view that here is a major talent in the making.

Now, my cup runneth over because Little Sparrow/Katie has released a full length album called "Wishing Tree"which consists of the abovementioned four EP tracks plus a further six songs. A veritable cornucopia as the "new" tracks are up to the same exceptional standard as the EP. Having already reviewed the EP, I will concentrate on the six "new" songs.

"The Flame" is a glorious confection of Katie's soaring, sensuous multi-tracked vocals floating over Sarah Dale's heavenly cello, to give an ethereal, semi-classical feel to the piece which has a hint of Enya about it.

The title track "Wishing Tree" has a slightly Eastern feel to it, courtesy of Graham Clark's violin and Mitch Oldham's percussion. As the title suggests, this is a song about finding somebody with whom one can realise one's dreams and escape reality :"Hold my hand and then we'll take off for the stars".

The theme of finding a special person is celebrated in "Struck Gold", which tells of the meeting of "two very different people, different past". The song features the unusual combination of cello and some superb pedal steel guitar , which works beautifully to give it a plaintive country feel.

In "I Found A Way", Katie tells how she " found a way into your heart and I can't get out because I'm all yours", over a brisk,shuffling drum and guitar rhythm before her voice goes off into the cosmos accompanied by shards of violin from Graham.

"The Hunted [A Bear's Tale]" is an allegorical tale , in which the roles of the hunter and the hunted are reversed, as the prey wants to capture the pursuer. He is warned "Don't come too close, I can't control myself". The song has a dream-like quality which is enhanced by the filigree acoustic guitar accompaniment from Jonny Lexus.

The last of the "new" tracks is the beautiful "Heart", where over a shimmering, Johnny Marr-like electric guitar motif,

Katie sings of the new beat that her lover has put in her heart.

From the first time that I heard Little Sparrow last year, I was totally smitten by the sheer beauty and originality of her music, her incredible voice and deeply personal lyrics. Having listened [repeatedly] to this, her gorgeous debut album, I have not changed my opinion by one iota. In fact, I am even more convinced that Little Sparrow/Katie Ware is a major talent.

This album is a triumph. Hopefully it will gain Little Sparrow the recognition she truly deserves.

Peter Cowley