Sally Barker
Album: Love Rat EP
Label: Old Dog
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.sallybarker.co.uk

Following on from the augmented reissue of 'Maid In England', Barker's put together an eclectic six track EP to keep the flame burning under those who discovered her via her appearance on The Voice. To which end, there's a couple of the live recordings of numbers here that she performed on the show, a melancholically paced, late night jazz café styled reading of Bacharach and David's 'Walk On By' and, equally moody and emotionally intense, 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood', both accompanied by Glenn Hughes (not the rock bassist) on keyboards, taking a solo spotlight on the latter.

There's a jazzy groove too for Debbie Cassell's 'Kissing A Stranger', again arranged for just guitar and piano. The other three numbers are either solo Barker compositions or co-writes, opening with the bluesy, rocky textures of 'Jealous Bones' co-penned with Carol Leeming and one of only two tracks to feature drums. Sharing a thematic link, the title track is a collaboration between Barker, Cassell, producer Ian Crabrtee and Martin Ansell with another funky, bluesy vibe underpinned by Hughes' organ while Barker's self-penned 'Heart & the Shell' rings the changes to introduce pedal steel and accordion for a folksier sound. A useful stop-gap until the next full album and another reminder of what an exceptional talent she is, now receiving long overdue wider acclaim.

Mike Davies