Sometime when you first hear an artist, there's something that grabs you deep within. This is how I felt when I heard Eleanor McEvoy's single You'll hear better songs than this that we previewed on GTTF a few weeks ago. As a result I was looking forward to seeing if the album could be as honest and heart-felt as the single.
Let's start with the single whilst we are on the subject. Its impact on me was based around a couple of things, firstly its stripped down recording and then the even more laid-bare, self-deprecating but brutally full-on heart open honesty of the emotion.
Using the analogy of a song, Eleanor lays out how others may sing better, have better melodies and lyrics and be more accomplished musically. She implores her lover to look elsewhere for songs unless they want to know how deep her love is and then "go put on mine". Although placed in a musical setting, the analogy to the grass is always greener syndrome comes through loud and clear. There will always be someone younger, more good looking however their love may be as just as superficial. Like most of this album the vocals are front and centre with only a guitar backing.
The single is very indicative of what you'll get on the whole album, Eleanor with no fuss and embellishment expressing direct, heart-felt emotion with poise.
Talking about recording the album, Eleanor says “There was a time when I was stranded in a long gap between tour dates and, with time to kill, I headed for the peace of The Grange; a small studio tucked away in the Norfolk countryside. In the converted barn, alone except for Dave the engineer, I stepped up to the microphone and sang my songs . My state of mind wasn’t the brightest, but there was a certain something about being in the studio with no agenda, no deadline, no pressure, it just came out.”
Many of the songs on the album are not new; we get unplugged versions of Eleanor's biggest seller A women's Heart as well as three tracks from her album I'd rather go blonde and a few from other albums. Even the single originally appeared on 2004's album Early Hours.
I pondered reviewing this as a "Best Of" collection however I think it stands alone (no pun intended) because of the re-interpritations.
We get some very powerful songs on the album. In fact there's hardly a dud. From the opening of Did I hurt you, you realise that Eleanor's emotional story telling is second to none. The track sounds initially like the discovery or infidelity however is more the realisation of unrequited or unequal love.
Most of the tracks on the album have Eleanor on guitar however Harbour brings a further dimension with a lovely floating piano counter-point to her emotional request for shelter. This could well be Eleanor's equivalent to Joan Armatrading's Willow.
What's her name introduces a further musical layer with the addition of a double bass. The song paints a wonderful picture of a modern day plea for the other parties name following betrayal discovered via text.
One of the tracks featured on Eleanor's earlier albums is Sophie. A very sad tale of the effects of an eating disorder. The story evolves around the effects of Sophie's eating (or lack of it) on the other family members. I think all young people and many older ones should listen to this song. Trouble is I think they'd associate with Sophie's attempt to fit in to our "ordinary world" rather than the devastating effects of trying to fit in on their bodies and on others around them. The following verse sums it up well;
"And her sister won’t stop cryin’
’cause her father says she’s dyin’
Sophie says she’s really tryin’
Problem is, sophie’s lying."
Not all songs on the album are depressing though even if many deal with some sad emotions. An example of Eleanor's occasional wry look at issues is For Avoidance of Any Doubt. Using legalise and a legal letter format an injured party complains about the numbers given "remaining unrung" following a date. Anybody who has ever had to wade through a contract will smile at the use of the language in a more normal situation and just highlights how absurd the language can be.
I think the fact that I'd only heard of Eleanor for A woman's Heart which appeared on a Celtic collection I own and this album has brought her to my full attention justifies this release. I'm sure I can't be the only one, she deserves much wider attention. A beautiful album filled with thoughtful lyrics and interesting melodies. Some won't like the "unplugged" approach but it exposes these songs and brings out emotion that I think would be lost in a broader production.
"Did I Hurt You?" - 3:30
"Harbour" - 3:17
"I'll Be Willing" - 3:12
"What's Her Name" - 2:31
"You'll Hear Better Songs (Than This) : 3:28
"Sophie" 3:48
"Just For The Tourists" McEvoy/Rotheray 3:19
"Days Roll By" 3:24
"For Avoidance of Any Doubt" 3:35
"Only A Woman's Heart" 3:48
"Did You Tell Him" 3:30
"Eve of Destruction" Sloan/Barri 4:27Bonus Track
"You'll Hear Better Songs (Than This) 3:24
Verdict: A beauty, a must for any collection; go buy it. 9/10.