Fish Records - BROWN LOU - CALM THE RISING WATERS

Full Review

Lou Brown – Calm the Rising Waters

This second album from young English singer/songwriter has been produced by Clive Gregson, and having Clive at the helm has proven to be an inspired move as his style and sensibilities are the perfect match for Lou’s well observed and honest songs of real life and real people.
Many of the 13 songs here feel as though the lyrics could have been lifted from her diaries, they’re direct, unpretentious and have a genuine feel to them. It’s a charming and disarming style of writing; there are a number of contemporary artists who take this approach, but few do it as successfully as Lou.
This individual manner is perfectly expressed on the opening track 11:23, it’s a spoken word, observational piece that demonstrates her sharp eye for detail and insight and reveals much about her attitude to life and personality. Along with the opening track and the beautifully presented packaging and liner notes, she reinforces her personality the effect this has on the listener is not to be underestimated – the attention to detail here really adds to the songs.
If this all sounds a little introspective and navel gazing then the second song, is a perfectly upbeat song that has the hallmarks of Gregson’s production and demonstrates the versatility in Lou’s vocal delivery. This is reinforced on the beautiful ‘Dressed in Grey’ that has much in common with some of Gretchen Peters’ work; and there are some impressive performances across a variety of styles on ‘David’s Not Sleeping’ and ‘Jimmy Joe’.
All of the songs are based around her own acoustic guitar, but Gregson adds a huge amount to the album with guitars, keyboards, mandolin and accordion, and add to this bass and percussion and the small group have created an album that ranges from gentle acoustic tracks through to full band pieces.
‘Calm the Rising Waters’ is an engaging and thoughtful album, full of great lyrics and strong melodies – there are many references on the disc that will resonate with listeners and it’s this homely reality that makes the disc so accessible.

BROWN LOU - CALM THE RISING WATERS

Brown Lou