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Anne Taylor: Simple

On this reflective collection of folk songs, Raglan singer Anne Taylor is accompanied by a core group which includes some suitably sombre fiddle playing by Jane Blackler alongside mandolin, banjo and bodhram played by Keith MacMillan. Although this instrumentation suggests an Irishness, even combined with Anne's voice (which reminds me a little of Andrea Corr from The Corrs) there is only a mere hint of that. Classy American folk artist Dee Carstensen springs to mind occasionally via the vocal delivery, but also the restful, spacious style and arrangements. I enjoyed how clearly each instrument is heard in its place in the mix, including the voice. CDS Production's Brent Holt mixed and mastered and also contributed the simple and effective cover art. There are a couple of jolly songs with banjo on here, but nothing disturbs the overall easy, unaffected and wistful mood. People may stay for many a cup of coffee while this is playing in a cafe anywhere, not just Raglan. They might even shed a tear or two.

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