While Gretchen has established herself as one of America’s most respected songwriters and has had her songs covered by a long list of artists, it’s her solo really albums that really stand out, and after a wait of three and half years this new disc has been eagerly anticipated.
The constant across all three of her solo albums is the immediacy and accessibility of the songs, and here the first track ‘Tomorrow Morning’ feels instantly familiar and comfortable, and while it’s obviously a new track it feels like one you’ve always known and lived with. It starts with a simple guitar motif and adds accordion, cello and bass into the mix as the song progresses, it’s restrained, considered and there’s a real lightness of touch to the arrangement - and that’s a quality that is carried on throughout the eleven songs on ‘Halcyon’
While it may be restrained it’s certainly not lacking in detail and there’s a good range of instrumentation used to compliment the acoustic guitar backing – mandolin, strings and a variety of keyboards all add detail to the tracks.
Her vocals add to the deceptive ‘low-key’ feel of the disc, she has a great voice with a smooth, effortless delivery, and rather than going for grand vocal gestures or affectations the dynamics are delivered in a more subtle and measured way.
As you’d expect from such a celebrated songwriter, the songs are varied and intelligent pieces with strong lyrics; there are many highlights but the obvious ones are ‘This Used to Be My Town’, ‘Child of Mine’ and ‘If Heaven’ all three are thought-provoking and eloquent songs that ask the listener to think about what is being said.
‘Halcyon’ is a superb disc; full of beautiful and instantly appealing melodies, strong lyrics, and the production and instrumentation is subtle and intelligent throughout.
So far, 2004 has been an embarrassment of riches and we’ve seen some of the best singer/songwriter disc of the past few years released over the course of a few months, and this new album from Gretchen Peters is one of the best of the bunch. Not to be missed.

£13.49