Toy Hearts
Album: Whiskey
Label: Wood Ville
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.thetoyhearts.com

Birmingham-based siblings Hannah and Sophia Johnson together with their father Stewart sure make a great team, as their last three records have proved; having supported the likes of Robert Plant, Ricky Skaggs and Imelda May on tour, and been on session duty for the Bob Harris programme, it comes as a surprise that they haven't headlined more than they have, such is the drawing-power they command through sheer hard graft and commitment to their chosen musical path. Which hitherto has been bluegrass, country and swing in almost equal measure.

But now, for album number four, there've been some changes, in that of the dozen tracks half are self-penned and half covers, also that the musical style leans ever more heavily towards that of their mentors, particularly here The Hot Club Of Cowtown I think, but with arguably even more persuasive harmonies. Whiskey is a fabulous collection of songs, not only linked by the drink theme but also by the common theme of paying homage to the mix of genres that have inspired and influenced the band over the 7 years they've been together - western swing especially, but also liberal doses of rockabilly, jazz and blues with a touch or so of bluegrass thrown in.

The guitar work (Sophia on electric and acoustic, Stewart on steels and dobro) is exemplary: immaculate and brilliantly judged, expert without being clinical and entirely in idiom, while there's some vital backroom support from Eamon McLoughlin (fiddle), Danny McCormack (piano), Dean Beresford (drums) and John Potter (double bass). Authentic as they come, and they don't put a foot wrong on anything from Bob Wills (I Hear You Talkin') to Ronnie Self (Big Fool) and Wayne Hancock (Thunderstorms & Neon Signs), making each number their own and well complementing their own material in similar vein, mixing the cocktail of drinks with the effects, trials and tribulations of imbibing too much and displaying plenty of humour amidst the heartbreak.

It's a keen, accessible and quality-assured set from start to finish, one that should win the Toy Hearts plenty more admirers to swell their already impressive and loyal following.

David Kidman