Lisa Redford
Slipstream
Parrot Records 1132003
****

Former member of acoustic duo Redford, singer-songwriter Lisa Redford segues back into the scene with this enthralling debut solo album. Recorded in Norwich with local musos Rick Lee, Pete Lee, Chris Ellis, Julian Williamson, Jay Benstead and Dave Inge, SLIPSTREAM is an amalgam of heartache, fervour and triumph, sung with authority and passion. Modern country fans will love the opening title tune; the slide guitar is straight out of the mid-1970s Eagles' manual. Beautiful vocal, even more stirring lyrics and marvellous playing.

Every song has its own source of pop effectiveness: The jangly Lot of Love is rootsy; Don't Tell Me weaves a distinctly angular Carole King-ish melody around an end-of-relationship song-with pain and yearning so profound, you can imagine eyes moistening in the studio. The sadness and heartache rings true on the acoustic-based Silver River. These self-possessed relationship songs, with the striking colours and acoustic grooves that enhance them, do make for compelling listening. In a sea of smart female singer-songwriters, Lisa Redford is an admiral. AC