Rebecca Turner “Land of My Baby” (Independent 2006)

A gentle alternative to Laura Cantrell

If you start with a solid base, and here that means having a beautiful voice, writing good songs and surrounding yourself with talented musicians, it sounds like a recipe for certain success and in this case I’m pleased to tell you, it is. Turner's voice navigates through these songs with the unfussy practiced professional ease of a matron, concerned that everything is up to standard and that all words down to every last letter are cared for. Her voice is by turns, caring, seductive, plaintive, and innocent, and on the most successful songs, playful. ‘Insane Moon’ is full of old-style country charm and also imbued with pop dynamics, the simple backing like twinkling stars as setting for her celestial voice to dominate the skies, it beams down munificently. Her voice also dominates the skyscape of ‘Big Gray Cloud’ though it acts more as a sun ray in contrast to the army of clouds - you almost forget about the backing which is a summer shower of mandolin and guitars. Not all of the songs reach such a standard but there are enough highlights to sustain interest throughout. ‘13th Street’ adds some welcome melancholy, and here her voice is restrained, hovering around the song like a cat that pretends it doesn’t want any fuss. This is a record that it is hard not to like; so charmingly is it done that it is easy to fall under its spell.

Date review added:  Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Reviewer:  David Cowling
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  Artist Website