| Since Sylvia Barnes won "Scots Singer of the Year" at the Trad Awards 2006 I have been eagerly awaiting this solo album. The wait has been well worth it!
The voice, of course, is something special, true, warm, richly expressive and with that natural traditional Scots edge.
The songs are thoughtfully chosen, some fairly well-known like "Soo Sewin Silk" others like Les Barker's beautiful "The Turn of the Road", a revelation for those only familiar with Les's comic works, but all presented with freshness and integrity.
Excellent accompaniment too from Hazel & Jennifer Wrigley (guitar & fiddle), Frank McLauglin (small pipes & whistles) and Sandy Stanage who deserves top marks not just for his guitar playing and sensitive production but his lovely tune for "The End O't".
"Fair Annie", the standout track by a short neck, is a masterclass in how a ballad should be sung and is closely followed by a heart wrenching and powerful "Prince Heathen".
"Lonely Waterloo", Carol Prior's setting of Violet Jacob's "Baltic Street", a loving rendition of "Glasgow Lassie" learned form Eck Harley, "What Can A Young Lassie" and the old favourite "Todlen Hame" are all sung with authority and style.
And if Sylvia's place in the pantheon of traditonal singers needed reinforcing it comes from the title track. Her 'cannae see the join' reworking of Mary Ann Haynes' "The Colour of Amber" is masterly. You need great skill, wide knowledge and a deep love of your art to do this really well. Sylvia Barnes does it brilliantly!
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