Love Lust & Loss
Hilary James - CD review


Rock 'n' Reel
As a singer of folk songs Hilary James has, as far as I'm concerned, no peers, her performance offers such sweet clarity and power.

Here on this special project she teams up with legendary folk pianist Beryl Marriott to revisit the traditional songs that initially inspired her. The constraints of scoring were ignored throughout, instead Hilary approached the songs with an improvisational attitude and Beryl did the same on the piano, the results are inspired and uplifting and an absolute credit to the duo's talent and understanding of the real and rare beauty of traditional music.

'Salisbury Plain', 'The Snowy Breasted Pearl', 'Barbary Allen', 'Thornaby Woods', 'The Water Is Wide' and more are given this unique treatment to breathtaking effect on an album that deserves a place permanently in the hearts of all traditional music lovers.
Sean McGhee, Editor


Dirty Linen - USA magazine
This is an exquisite piece of work, delicate as Nottingham lace, a trip, as the title implies, through love, lust and loss, 13 songs, 12 of them traditional. (The thirteenth, "Appleton fair", credited to James and Marriott, strongly borrows from "Scarborough Fair".)

James has a pure voice, even, with plenty of color, while Marriott (a veteran of the folk revival of the 50s) plays an equally strong role, all the more impressive for knowing that much of her performance was improvised. Simon Mayor, James' frequent partner, offers some stunning violin obligatos, and the whole thing is a total joy, a very civilised excursion into the music of the British Isles.

About the only thing I could have wished for is more of James' bass work - she's quite an accomplished player.
Chris Nickson (Seattle, WA)
 

Q Magazine
Dispensing with guitar and mandobass for once (she's in the Mandolinquents), Hilary James returns to her roots with this collection of thirteen traditional songs.

There's no mucking about either - Salisbury Plain manages to cover romance, sex, highway robbery and a hanging in under two and a half minutes, while judging from the body count, Johnny O‘Braidisley was the Bruce Willis of his day.

Elsewhere she's able to do the purest traditional work renovating old chestnuts like Scarborough Fair and The Water is Wide, thanks to a powerful combination of improvisation and musical rigour.

Throughout, James's secret weapon is Beryl Marriott, folk accompanist without peer, whose percussive piano fills the album - here, supporting the voice, there, snapping at it's heels.
* * * *
Rob Beattie


Taplas
Take a talented singer and an accomplished improvisational pianist, put them together in a studio with the aim to record traditional material and you have, potentially, an interesting album. If the singer is Hilary James and the pianist Beryl Marriott however, what evolves is a collection of songs that take on a new significance.

James crystal-clear voice and Marriott's expressive playing make an exciting combination, particularly as only the double bass lines were scored, with the rest of the material being freed from the constraints of any arrangements.

Although Beryl describes herself as ‘a folk pianist who improvises’, comparisons with jazz are inevitable. At times jaunty and light, and occasionally dark and moody, her improvisations takes the songs into the realms of jazz and even 20th century classical music and Hilary's beautiful voice delivers the songs with skill and sensitivity.
Anita Holford


Folk Tales - USA Celtic magazine
Hilary James was born to sing love songs. Her voice is a valentine: clear, simple, winsome, occasionally breathless or even histrionic but always tasteful. (Think regency romance, not bodice-ripper paperback.)

James’ voice, schooled in jazz as well as folk, gilds the beauty of her lyrics as Marriott’s dance-based piano playing brightens the melodies and adds intriguing coloration. James plays double bass (as do Phil and Rhiannon Fentimen) on some tracks) and is joined by Marriott at piano, Simon Mayor on fiddle, and Chris Leslie on fiddle and backing vocals. The arrangements sparkle and glow with affection as well as class.

“Barbary Allen” retains an Appalachian mournfulness even when Marriott’s sumptuous piano ought to pull it out of the lonesome valley and into the drawing room. The James/Marriott composition “The Dreamless Sleep” holds its own with a timeless charm. And when James sings “Come to the Bower”, any red-blooded listener will catch the scent of the roses and dream of bowers to be shared. It’s chamber music.. for the bedchamber.
Pamela Winters


Steppin’ Out
Hilary James is generally regarded as one half of the partnership with mandolin maestro Simon Mayor. On this occasion, Hilary is joined predominantly by the pianist Beryl Marriott with contributions by Simon and fiddler Chris Leslie.

With the current trend in the folk scene towards all things celtic, it is refreshing to see an album that is quintessentially British making the most of Hilary's pure vocals in an uncluttered, cultural setting.
Pete Fyfe


The Sheffield Advertiser
Hilary James would be the last to say she is a country singer. She definitely is not.

What she has though is the finest voice in British folk, or any other field for that matter. The debut album of three years ago, Burning Sun, really sold me on this lady. The follow-up, Love Lust & Loss (Acoustics), featuring legendary folk pianist Beryl Marriott, has me in raptures. I am not equipped to talk about folk in depth, but I do know a quality voice, laced with sincere emotion, when I hear one, and that is what I hear from Hilary James.

The 13-track selection of the best of English, Scottish and Irish folk songs really is essential listening.

Star tracks: Barbary Allen and The Water is Wide (an angel could sing them no better).
Pete Smith


Country Music Roundup
One of the loveliest voices I have ever heard belongs to Hilary James, a leader in the preservation and performance of British folk music.

‘Love, Lust and Loss’ (Acoustics), Hilary's latest album, is a work of remarkable beauty.

The 13 tunes, a careful mix of popular and lesser known ancient ballads are perfectly performed by Hilary with tasteful support from Simon Mayor and Chris Leslie (fiddles) and Beryl Marriott (piano). Give an ear to ‘Salisbury Plain’, ‘Barbary Allen’, ‘Thornaby Woods’, and ‘The Water is Wide’.


Events South West
‘Magical and dramatic in interpretation’  


Acoustics Records
PO Box 350
Reading RG6 7DQ
England
Tel: +44 (0)118 926 8615
www.acousticsrecords.co.uk