This has been my most enjoyable assignment for this issue. Kath Reade is a songwriter with range and flair. There are 14 tracks here, and not far short of an hour's worth of entertainment. Issues songs and personal songs sit comfortably together, and if Kath performs as well live as in this recording, she must be irresistible. The musical range of the songs is from late 20th century British contemporary folk to almost jazzy (definitely a liberal dose of blue notes in places).

Lyrically, be prepared for domestic violence ("Azadi" -quite brave, I think in where the finger is pointed) imaginative 'ecology' songs ("Animal Wisdom", "Navajo Prophet") and emotional life stuff (thoughts on the absent father in "The Colour Of His Eyes"; and, in "Jamie", the end of the affair stamped, not with a 'f**k off' song, but with a kindly goodbye!). This is rare and stirring material. There are no fillers, and in no case did I feel that I had been there before. Sure, there are nameable musical influences here and there but nothing imitative. That thought, though, brings up my solitary itch: when writing a song with Native American references, why do people so often have to bring on the injun chants / drums? (Even Saint Hank Williams does it with "Kawliga") I mean, if the tides of world music give us a Comanche singer-songwriter, and he or she suddenly comes up with a supposedly celtic-feel song, might we not think it a bit odd? We might even think he or she was taking the piss.

Kath and the estimable Rob van Sante have produced the CD. Rob plays additional guitar, or synthesiser, and sings backing vocals; Gordon Tyrrall plays guitar or whistle and sings backing vocals, Shaun Reade plays piano; and there is percussion and backing vocals from Allan Roberts, and backing vocals from Jean Deakin.

Well worth a listen, and I shall be looking out for a gig. Oh, and you can get a handy little lyric booklet if you ask.

Kevin Loughran