Michelle Holding & Bonz
Album: Seeds Are Sown
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.michelleholding.com

Blessed with a distinctive voice and an uncanny ability to mix together both English and American acoustic folk music, Michelle Holding has truly sown the seeds of success with this harmonious album. Teamed with her talented accompanist Bonz, who plays the banjo as well as the dobro and harmonica, she has brought forth a fantastic collection of both contemporary and traditional folk, originating from both sides of the Atlantic. 'When Marilyn Monroe Died Blues' is a regretfully sad song disguised with an upbeat tune and deceitfully positive vocals, while 'Amelia' combines both Michelle's and Bonz' voices to produce soft harmonies that pull at the heartstrings with their unconstrained emotion.

Michelle has really poured herself into this album, and it definitely shows. I can't listen to one song without the music provoking thoughts of loves, lusts, life, death, and, finally, true, raw, unprecedented sentiment. As stated in the album's booklet, the music really does come from somewhere deep in Michelle, regardless of geography, and it would be a shame if it's praises weren't sung far and wide.

Sophie Babur-Puplett