If you’re looking for an album with distinct personality and character and that stands out from the crowd, then ‘Tales from the Weeping Willow’ from English singer Naomi Bedford should be right at the top of the list.

It starts with the striking voice, which on first listen is hard edged and very direct; but it’s perfect for an album sub-titled “songs of murder, death and sorrow” and that spans traditional material and more modern songs.  It takes a few seconds to attune yourself to the vocal style, but when you have, the album starts to reveal its charms, and by the third song the album is fully into its stride and the listener is fully engaged with every aspect of the presentation.

Alongside a pair of epic folk songs including a compelling version of ‘Lord Thomas & Fair Ellendor’, there’s a duet between her and Paul Heaton on ‘Ferryboat Inn’ (co-written by the Beautiful South's writing team of  Paul Heaton and David Rotheray), and the real highlight of the album is a stunning reading of Warren Zevon’s ‘Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner’, it’s a great song and she gets everything out of the lyrics with her delivery.

Although the focus of the album is definitely on Naomi and the songs, she has packed a great set of musicians around her including Alasdair Roberts, Justin Currie, Gerry Diver, Paul Simmonds and more who all add a range of instrumentation and vocals to create this unique and rewarding album.

Track listing
1 Daddy's Got A Gun
2 February
3 One Of A Kind
4 Willow Garden
5 Roland The Headless Thompson Gunn
6 My Love Is Deep
7 Lord Thomas And Fair Ellendor
8 Railroad Bill
9 The Ferry Boat Inn
10 The Clouds Of Colwyn Bay
11 The Death Of Queen Jane

£12.99

review 10 October 2011