It’s 14 years since Grammy winning Berg released a solo album, and ‘The Dreaming Fields’ is quite an album to return with; effortless vocals, instant melodies and hook all wrapped around beautifully constructed, mature lyrics. It’s quite a combination, and it makes the album stand out as one of the finest contemporary singer/songwriter discs in recent memory.
She may not have released a solo album, but has frequently toured as the fantastic Wine Women and Song trio with Suzy Bogguss and Gretchen Peters. This new album has much in common with Peters’ albums, both have sensational voices and the songs cover similar lyrically territory; there are more open acoustic spaces here but, it’s easy to compare the two artists. The links to Wine Women and Song continue with background vocals from Bogguss and Peters on a number of tracks.
The songs here are all narratives and snapshots of real lives that are easy to relate to, and there’s real emotional transparency here that will resonate with every listener. It’s never mawkish of self-indulgent, and she uses real craft and skill in conveying imagery and feeling in her lyrics and arrangements.
Highlights include the simple arrangement and fantastic vocals of the title track, the beautiful lyrics and sentiments of ‘Racing the Angels’ and the everyday imagery in ‘A Cold, Rainy Morning in London in June’.
‘The Dreaming Fields’ is an album of genuine craft, the songs are thoughtfully constructed, the vocal and musical performances are always excellent and the overall package is consistently excellent. One of the albums of the year.
Track listing
1 If I Had Wings
2 You and Tequlia
3 Racing the Angels
4 Silver and Glass
5 Clouds
6 The Dreaming Fields
7 Oh Cumberland
8 Your Husband's Cheating on Us
9 Fall Again
10 South of Heaven
11 A Cold, Rainy Morning in London in
review 05 March 2011
