Ward Thomas
Album: From Where We Stand (deluxe)
Label: WTW
Tracks: 18
Website: http://wardthomasmusic.com/

Ward Thomas is promoted as "the critically acclaimed UK country duo" but they are so much more than that. If they were a car then their versatility would have them being described as a "crossover."

The duo comprises twin sisters Catherine and Lizzy, almost both aged 21, Lizzy being two minutes younger than Catherine. Their music shows immense maturity and it is hard not to believe that this is a Nashville country act.

This album contains eighteen tracks although four are repeated as live versions of the same songs. All but three of the songs are penned by Catherine and Lizzy and contain all the type of songs and stories that you would expect from a country album. The first two tracks are what I would call proper C&W tunes. The third track "Footnotes" slows the pace down and is the first of the three songs that have been co-written.

"From where I stand" is the fifth stunning track on the album and is the first example of why I say that they are so much more than a country duo. Fabulous vocals and subtle backing combined with beautiful lyrics. "Guest list" will take the listener back to the Nashville roots. "Try" slows the pace down again and is for me a real "stand out "track.

The album contains two most surprising and unexpected songs. The first is a beautifully underplayed version of Dougie Mclean's simple but beautiful "Caledonia." It features the sublime harmonies of the two sisters in perfect sympathy. It gave me goose bumps! The second is Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror." I really was not expecting that. It is given an unusual C&W treatment and takes the song to a different place from where it was possibly originally directed.

In between these two wonderful tracks is the real C&W belter "Town Called Ugley." A real foot tapper and I dare anyone to sit still while it is playing. It does refer to a "cotton picking town" so I suppose the ladies have shown respect for the accepted lyrics of C&W music. The final studio track before the live sessions is "Who we are" which takes the pace down after the previous track and allows the listener to relax a bit.

So as you may have gathered, I really like this album. It has enough variety in style to please most lovers of modern music whether they are C&W fans or not.

I still find it difficult to believe that the two sisters are so young. Their musical ability and song writing is immensely imaginative and mature. I have no doubt that a glittering and long career beckons.

Rory Stanbridge