Dark Green Tree
Album: Secret Lives
Label: Haven
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.darkgreentree.com

When Trevor Dann (Head of BBC Music Entertainment in the late nineties, whose involvement with Later with Jools, Whistle Test and Live Aid gives him an impressive CV) rates 'Secret Lives' as possibly his favourite album of the year then it's perhaps worth sitting up and paying attention. Add that to the fact that Boo Hewerdine proudly sits in the producer's chair and is involved co-writing half of the ten tracks with Jay Brown and Ross Cockburn, it almost comes as a trademark of quality.

The Brown/Cockburn team started out at a chance meeting (and how many times has that happened?) in 2010 when both played sets at the Edinburgh Festival. Add the close vocal harmonies of Cera Impala, imported from her own band The New Prohibition, plus appearances from ace fiddler John McCusker and Mattie Foulds on drums amongst others and the sense of anticipation is profound.

First impressions are that in this album you have a nice slice of Americana, call it UK Americana if you prefer, along the easy listening lines of The Eagles and gentle REM - filling a gap in the market you could say with an uncomplicated and relaxed country vibe. Then 'Lay Me Down' kicks in with something which takes the sound of the opening trio of songs, swings it round your head and sends it off on a groove which is led by something akin to slide banjo and strings, John McCusker making a contribution to the album which adds a lovely sauce to the main meat of the material.

'Secret Life' plods along in a more standard country vein while 'Sarah' takes the same vibe into a more with McCusker's fiddle and the ringing guitars shifting the song to a different level. Whoever adds the touches of banjo remains unnamed, yet if ever there was an unsung hero(ine) this is them. The percussive touch the banjo adds to the string and vocal harmony heavy 'Heart Of Winter' is one of the understated touches which lift many of the songs above the average.

Trevor Dann has also suggested that anyone waiting for a new Buffalo Springfield might do well to take a tip and granted, there are moments when a Neil Young styled vibe cuts through the surface. Take a listen to the opening track 'Yearn For Love' and 'When The Stars Go Blue' for a hint of that breathy Young styled vocal while the genial rhythm of the track adds weight to his claim. With the ten songs coming in at under forty minutes there's a calm and concise quality about Dark Green Tree.

Mike Ainscoe