From: Pete Fyfe
[petefyfe_at_aol_dot_com]
Sent: 11 March 2012 08:38
Subject: Pete Fyfe - Sarah
McQuaid review & sleeve
Attachments: Sarah McQuaid - Plum
Tree.jpg
SARAH McQUAID - The Plum Tree
And The Rose (Waterbug Records WBG104)
Much like her heroine Bess Of
Hardwick ("Hardwick's Lofty Towers") Sarah McQuaid has the intelligence and
tenacity to cultivate her lyrics so that the legacy of her song-writing will
remain long after she has passed away. If that sounds morose it isn't meant to
be. It's just that McQuaid's way with words will draw you in and leave you
feeling as if you've just stepped from an invigorating shower. She's the kind
of writer who conveys her thoughts brilliantly via the media of music and, take
for instance the opening track "Lift You Up And Let You Fly" within a few short
verses she is able to let the listener know the pain but understanding in
watching a child's development and eventual release into the world with all the
compassion of a mum who (hopefully) doesn't watch Jeremy Kyle. It has to be
said that from a listener's point of view this is where the producer and
musician Gerry O'Beirne's skill in utilising Bill Blackmore's flugelhorn is an
astute piece of placement. Think of Christy Moore's "All For The Roses" if
you're unsure where you've heard this thought process before and, whilst on the
subject of instrumentation much as I'd like to name every musician who
contributed to this beautifully crafted album I'm afraid I can't as I haven't
got the space. Let's just say I'm bowled over with the creative input from
everyone involved. In truth I could write a whole book on the subject of Sarah
McQuaid's way with words but perhaps that is best left to the lady herself. If
you require any further incentive why not check out the gorgeous single "The
Sun Goes On Rising" which is available for your listening pleasure at www.sarahmcquaid.com/music.html and,
like me I'm sure you will be seduced by Sarah's alto vocals and perfectly solid
performance. In
the meantime I suppose I'll just have to kill time waiting expectantly to hear
the next album which if it's anything like this recording will receive another
ten out of ten. Highly recommended?buy it, buy it, buy it! www.sarahmcquaid.com
PETE FYFE