Jeana Leslie & Siobhan Miller,
In a Bleeze
(Greentrax, 2008)


Winners of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award for 2008, Orkney lass Jeana Leslie provides fiddle, piano and vocals while Siobhan Miller, hailing from Midlothian, offers some top-class singing on their new recording from Greentrax, In a Bleeze. Showing a love of tradition, an appreciation of new writing and a talent for composing and writing, the album of 13 songs is an eclectic mix.

On the traditional side they have steered clear of overexposed tracks and give us haunting renditions of classics like "Mad Tom of Bedlam" and "Time Wears Awa." The harmonies on the tracks will mesmerize the listener.

One of the most powerful offerings, from the pen of David Francey, is the thought-provoking "Saints & Sinners." The young ladies do this excellent song great service in a heartfelt rendition.

Showing that some of the best songs come from experience, Siobhan draws on feelings from the loss of her grandfather to bring us "Familiar Faces," a song that will resonate with many who hear it. The album closes with a live rendition of "The Parting Glass" as sung live as an encore after winning their 2008 award.

Based on this album, these young ladies have a great future in music and augur well for good folk music in the 21st century.




Rambles.NET
review by
Nicky Rossiter

2 May 2009


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