Going back to listen to Joanne Shaw Taylor’s early material and then this, I’m struck by the development and improvement in her music. She has always been a highly talented guitarist, but her husky vocals were often unintelligible and now, while the huskiness remains, her voice has developed to the point where she is a fine vocalist as well, getting emotions over more effectively than ever before.
The songs show just how far she has come. No longer do we get 12 straight Blues/rock tracks, although there are still some remnants of this, but her melodies are stronger, she crosses over into different styles and forms and her collaboration with Kevin Shirley results in an adult and powerful album.
Back in the day, no-one would expect Joanne Shaw Taylor to make a number such as ‘This Is Who I Am’, Celeste’s powerful ballad. In this incarnation, it has an almost theatrical production – one could see this as a James Bond theme.
Every track has its little delights and there isn’t a weak number here. The best? ‘You & Me (Rachel’s Song)’ – just gorgeous
Taylor’s voice is still recognizable but now more musical, while her guitar playing is superb, wielding her Telecasters with aplomb.
