Sally Barker
Album: Maid In England
Label: Hypertension
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.sallybarker.co.uk

Hmmm. When an album bears the 'parental advisory' sticker that's one thing, but when an album arrives bearing a sticker which heralds an album by a finalist of The Voice UK, the shivers really start. Being averse to all things Strictly or Factor related, the omens weren't good. Much as I love Tom Jones, his patronage of Sally Barker was about to be tested.

But nothing ventured, nothing gained and with the old adage of "If you haven't tried it how do you know?" ringing in my ears I waded into 'Maid In England', eyes and ears open. With the CD booklet open and initial track 'Captains' playing away, all the fears were swiftly and pleasantly dispelled. For starters, Sally Barker has some history waaay before TV celebrity beckoned. In 1986, she won the Kendal Songsearch Competition, earning her several support slots to high profile musicians (including Richard Thompson no less). A record deal with Hypertension music and her first album followed in 1988, and with yet more support slots behind her (Bob Dylan and Robert Plant!), she took her place within the all female folk group The Poozies. And then - nothing or at least not much, until we find ourselves in the harsh reality of music related franchise TV.

The call of folk music was too difficult to resist and the set of songs within 'Maid In England' have been in gestation since 1997. Originally released in 2003 amidst some challenging personal circumstances, ten years later, on the back of the success on The Voice UK sees the work done by Sally and guitarist/collaborator Keith Buck re-released and including a couple of tracks naturally from The Voice series which catapulted Sally back into the limelight.

Aside from these songs and the opening 'Captains written by Steve Kinghtley, which is delivered with a strong Knightley/Show Of Hands feel about it, the rest of the self penned material proves to be the album's strength. The lengthy 'Comrades In Arms' has the sort of atmospheric celtic feel popularised by Iona, revealing itself as a lament of a wife whose husband returns from the Earl Of Essex's campaign against the Irish as a changed man. Despite appearing as the third track, it seems to be the central song on the album, concluding a terrify trio of songs to open the album. One of three songs co-written with Keith Buck it's also the first of three 'historical' songs - 'Haul Away' inspired by the first ship of female convicts sent to Australia and 'The Ballad Of Mary Rose' which celebrates Henry VIII's famous flagship.

With the title track you get the impression that she's really singing from the heart with a passion and a strength and determination to conquer which the difficulties she's overcome. It namechecks fellow women including Virginia Woolf, Elizabeth and Amy Johnson , all of whom have not let their femininity hold them back from becoming key figures in British history. Backed by a robust soundtrack

She also touches on some more traditional folk topics - revengeful maidens, working the land and the analogy of the farmer's lot, where Keith Buck's guitar swings from Knopfler-esque licks to mournful pedal steel. Let's give some credit where it's due and acknowledge The Voice for helping Sally get back in touch with her folk and country side where she is at home. Enough said and It's probably time to eat my words and admit that Sally Barker, I was probably doing you a disservice! I'm going to jump on the bandwagon with Sir Tom, Chris Evans and Kylie and add my two'penneth and encouragement to see her back in the folk fold.

Mike Ainscoe