Albums of the Year # 132 Julie Byrne - The Greater Wings

 

Looks like that album of the year has arrived. That gentler than gentle forest glade New Folk album from a well respected American female singer songwriter. The one than Gideon Coe plays midway through his show to usher in undisguisable calm make you sit up from your seat wondering 'who is that.?'

In recent years its been Joan Shelley, and Weather Station. This year it seems destined to be New York States' Julie Byrne whose latest The Greater Wings has been reviewed in hushed tones. Sure enough Gideon was playing a track midway through his show yesterday and I sat up in my seat with my ears pricked. 'Who was that?'

It's a beautiful record indeed. It makes me feel I'm in that forest glade and Julie is sitting on a rock in front of me, long hair flowing, acoustic guitar on her lap. And she's playing her songs just for me. 

I'm a cynical cove. But good as this is, it is unmistakably highly reminiscent of Shelley and The Weather Station, and not I'd say, quite as good as either. That's not to say I don't recommend it heartily. I do. But you are pretty sure early on exactly what you're getting. And that is what you get. I'm sure I heard a harp at one point.