EDWINA HAYES
�OUT ON MY OWN�
(album/ RADAR)
I came to know and love the music of Edwina Hayes, who was born in Dublin, via something of a simple twist of fate. I was reading my local paper - �The Driffield Times - and there was an article in there mentioning Edwina�s music. Strange, I thought - I�ve heard of Edwina and have previously read good things about her and her music, but why is there an article in my local paper about her? I read on, and was instantaneously astonished to discover that Edwina is currently living in the same town (or at least the same immediate area) as myself.
Straight away I hit on her fantastically designed website and made a beeline for her �Out On My Own� album, which is a gorgeous 12-track affair that lasts for forty minutes, with every last minute being one of blissful captivation.
Opening with �I Want Your Love,� Country influences are rife in Edwina�s beautiful voice. Many different styles of music gel to make her songs whole, with distinctive Folk and Pop elements leaving their mark amidst her story-telling approach and the emotion-rousing use of melody.
There is an epic timelessness to Edwina�s material. When she sings, she does so straight from the heart, and she�s harmoniously backed up on the opening tune by Christine Collister and Clive Gregson to add further depth to the song�s texture. John R. Burr consistently impresses with his piano melodies, with the majority of these songs being musically propelled both by his tinklings and acoustic guitar-garnished tunes. Edwina has even employed the uber-talents of former Dr Hook star Dennis Locorriere who adds backing vocals to a number of tracks, including �Want You To Stay� that is buoyed up by its hearty chorus, while Edwina bares her soul in classy style. Just listen to her, and you might hear echoes of Natalie Merchant�s voice injected into the fray.
For the most part this album is love obsessed, as Edwina seemingly aches and longs for a perfect man in a perfect world. Many of the songs are sad, yet such melancholia manages to be uplifting primarily because Edwina�s voice sounds so pure and innocent. She can�t understand why the love that she deserves isn�t magically served her way, and that�s one of the reasons why this album works so effectively, as the listener comes to fall in love with both Edwina�s bewitching voice and ideals.
�I Can�t Believe� is one of the most atmospheric tunes due to the presence of some Synth-produced sounds, before the chorus-anchored �Closer To Home� proves to be one of the catchiest numbers in its Pop-pouting frame of mind, stemming from its devastatingly beautiful melody and Edwina�s open and honest admission that �I�ve reinvented my life in so many ways.' �Eyes Of A Stranger� is also lavishly upbeat and optimistic, and come the closing track in �Won Me Over,� you will be too.
�Out On My Own,� as an album, is both a perfect showcase for Edwina�s voice and for her ability to bring out the best in a whole host of exceptionally gifted musicians, such as Plainsong members Clive Gregson and ace bass-player Mark Griffiths. Edwina, in a live situation, accompanies herself on acoustic guitar in a similar manner to Hull singer-songwriter Emma Rugg. As a direct result of her talents she has had the fortune of supporting such luminaries as Jools Holland, ex-Deacon Blue front man Ricky Ross, and Van Morrison.
See her sometime if you can. If you can�t, then at least lend an ear.
(review by Steve Rudd)
Visit www.edwinahayes.co.uk