Angie's previous disc 'Road' was an excellent album that was a deserved critical and commercial success, but it was certainly never going to be an easy album to follow; from the first listen it's obvious that 'Tales of Light & Darkness' is a more than worthy successor that improves on 'Road' in every area.
The opening track 'Fool's Gold' sets the tone of the disc; it's a wordy but exceptionally well written song with some delicate but rhythmic guitar work and intelligent and interesting backing from the assembled musicians. In particular the various guitars (national, lap steel, dobro, electric and acoustic) are superb and there are some memorable violin and viola parts throughout the disc.
The album contains 10 songs and runs to almost 55 minutes, while none of the songs are overly long they’re substantial pieces that allow both the lyrical narrative and musical themes to develop; these are full blooded singer/songwriter songs that are complete, assured and recorded without compromise.
The songs are strong and mature singer/songwriter ballads with that have elements of folk, country and blues in equal measure; comparisons are never easy and often not helpful but think Julie Miller and you’ll not be too far away.
The writing combination of Angie and Paul Mason has produced 10 impressive songs, in particular ‘Down on Zero Street’ a tale of a condemned man sprung from jail and the confused and ultimately sad events that follow, other highlights include the memorable melody of ‘Michelangelo’ and the delicacy of ‘Columbus for a Day’
‘Tales of Light & Darkness’ is a superb album with quality at every turn, from the beautiful packaging through to the closing strains of ‘Letters from Home’ – very highly recommended.

£11.99