Rowan Ross
Album: Fireflight
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.rowanross.com

Following on from his debut album last year, Rowan Ross is back with a second attempt "Fireflight", recorded over the period of 2009 to 2014.

Ross is a Glaswegian singer songwriter who plays guitar and violin, on this release he has surrounded himself with some excellent musicians and it's the cello of Rosie Townhill that appeals immediately as we get underway with he up tempo "Hard Rain" which tells of a meeting between old and young with the thought of wisdom being passed down.

Excelling in melancholy and with a distinctive voice "Sail Through" brings up visions of Nick Drake albeit in a countrified jazz outing. It's arguably the best track on the CD.

It's followed by "Low Level Love" written about relationships that lack the intensity, the passion of fiery love. And whilst the lyrics bemoan that loss the fiddle playing raises the song back into the positive.

"Happy Hunting Ground" is a delightfully laid back jazzy tune that features a smaltzy violin together with crooning vocals and showcases Rick Standley's double bass. "Character Actor" is a blues about a thespian who is happy to stay in the shadows, perhaps.

On the remaining tracks Ross draws sketches of relationships, of situations and pleasant as they are, they somehow lack the substance to bring them fully to life straight away.

Repeated listens are rewarded though and having persevered the album gets better each time around. A definite slow burner.

Ian Cripps