From: Pete Fyfe
[petefyfe_at_aol_dot_com]
Sent: 08 April 2012 01:08
Subject: Pete Fyfe: Marie-Claire
Berreen review & Sleeve
Attachments: Marie-Claire Berreen -
Box And A Ribbon.jpg
MARIE CLAIRE-BERREEN - Box And A
Ribbon (Own label)
The lush string sounds courtesy
of Glenn Louis Pettit's keyboard on the opening song "Honeypie" is just right
for that Sunday afternoon with Aled, Alan or Terry and indeed should be
required listening for the Radio 2 generation. Nicely chilled, the track
introduces the world to the vocal delights of Marie-Claire Berreen who, without
the aid of a Brit School (I'm thinking Katie Melua and Adele) upbringing should
be seen as a bonus. It must be difficult for anyone trying to make their way in
the industry we've come to know as ?music' but with an eye for the ?light
entertainment' market this should see Ms Berreen going places. I'm hoping that
I'm speaking on behalf of most of us in that the ?folk' world have more or less
(OK, in many cases reluctantly) accepted the generalised term ?acoustic' as
common currency and in so doing have learnt to embrace the cross-fertilisation
of jazz that this recording represents. The album has many gems including
"One-Armed Bandit" and the lullaby-ish "Mr Monster" which are revealing
insights into a lady who utilises music like a Catholic going to ?confession'
or an appearance on the Jeremy Kyle Show. Accompanied by a tasteful backing
?band' including long-time collaborator and guitarist Steve Wattison, Pete
Jennings-Bates (bass) and Dan Slade on drums the recording proceeds at a
leisurely but not too laid-back pace. In my opinion the stigma of being
labelled this or that should not have any bearing in this day and age and as an
artist there should be no question of guilt or fear of recrimination from an
audience who will hopefully prove to be open-minded. www.marie-claireberreen.co.uk
PETE FYFE