Daisy Chapman
Album: Shameless Winter
Label: Songs And Whispers/Folkwit
Tracks: 10
Website: http://daisychapman.squarespace.com/

This is Bristol-based Daisy Chapman's fourth release, the others being her 2006 EP "Hymns Of Blame", 2009's " And There Shall Be More" and 2010's Independent Music Award winning " The Green Eyed". As well as her solo work, Daisy has also toured extensively as a member of prog rock "supergroup" Crippled Black Phoenix.

Daisy has spent much of her time touring in Europe and this album was written on the road and a recurring theme of life away from home runs through the songs. The album is released on a small German independent label, Songs and Whispers, which is based in Bremen and which is also a live music and artist development network.(UK Folkwit)

Daisy describes herself as a "sinner-songwriter" and cites her influences as Regina Spektor, Tori Amos, P J Harvey, Sigur Ros and The Arcade Fire, which gives an indication of where Daisy's music sits in the scheme of things.

However, on the evidence of this album, Daisy is clearly much more than the sum of her influences ; she is a unique and highly talented artist in her own right. Apart from one cover [Billy Corgan's "Disarm"], Daisy wrote all of the words, music and arrangements [with additional arrangements from Lizz Lipscombe who also plays some superb violin throughout the album].

With the exception of two songs which were recorded in Bremen, the album was recorded and mixed by Ali Chant at his Toybox Studios in Bristol. Toybox is a large, vaulted Georgian basement and Ali's previous clients include P J Harvey, Gruff Rhys, K T Tunstall and Seasick Steve, so Ali and his studio have an enviable pedigree.

I must admit that I had not heard any of Daisy's previous work before listening to this album but what became immediately apparent is that she is an extremely talented singer, songwriter and musician.

Daisy's powerful voice is backed by her very fine classical piano playing and soaring string arrangements, with no electric instruments to be heard. The effect is stunning. There is also a beautiful unaccompanied song ["The Life Of Mary May"]and a gorgeous Chopin-like instrumental ["The Hangman's Waltz"].

It is most appropriate that this album is being released in January, as it captures perfectly the atmosphere of winter in songs such as "Shameless Winter", " Jealous Angels" and "The Girl In Hannover".

This is a work of real quality and deserves to be heard by a wide audience.

Peter Cowley