biographical info
After a decade's worth of exceptionally fine new-folk albums, a
Mercury prize nomination and stacks of glowing reviews, Liverpudlian
songstress Kathryn Williams continues to fly,
inexplicably, under the radar, known and loved mainly by a loyal legion
of U.K. fans and smitten critics. Forthcoming new album The Quickening,
arriving in Europe February 22 2010 (North America release July 6), may set the
record straight with a new label - One Little Indian - and some
excellent pre-release buzz ("the most accomplished album of her
career", trumpets Wears The Trousers). New project follows her wonderful 2008 collaboration with Neil MacColl - Two - and most recent '07 solo album, the brilliant Leave to Remain. "It has a mood," says Williams, "a slightly sinister palette with lyrics that are raw. I see myself in these songs a lot..."
In
order to capture the immediacy of a near-live recording, Williams not
only assembled a backing band for the recording without sharing the
songs beforehand, she also insisted in keeping the songs to a maximum
of three takes. Recorded in just four days - Quickening,
indeed - the dozen new songs have a wonderfully direct, minimalist feel
without sacrificing the natural, casual lushness of the instrumentation
or hushed, understated tone of her singing. We're enamored immediately
of "Noble Guesses", a song that draws from the John Martyn/Nick Drake
school of melodic pop/folk while the more jazz-tinged "Cream of the
Crop" brings an interesting change of pace. Highly recommended.