Spinney Rec.
Nancy Wallace : Young Hearts EP (UK,2008)****
I remembered the beautiful folkish and defenitely charming voice of Nancy Wallace (from the Memory Band). This is her first EP which I thought at first were songs of her own, songs related with painful moments in a relationship as well some hopelessly romantic ones. But the strangest thing is that these were 4 hand picked covers from the disco area, (like ’Are you ready for love?’ as made famous by the Spinners) which, in a folky version, with just a sweet voice, guitar and a bit of violin improvisation / arrangement mostly (by bandmate Jennymay Logan but he's also playing in the Elysian Quartet), stripped to its vulnerable lyrics give them also, when you listen closely to its lyrical content a vulnerable character. “Are you ready for love” that way sounds a so desperate for love it becomes a bit sentimental, almost naïve, promising the whole world and the best for someone who would be able to love, (-from what I have experienced in life and while dealing with its possible realities I couldn’t promise such a perfection, except only a dedication to life, and the best of luck and an honesty in its growing process, or just that much of care and loyalty-). And Barry White’s “you’re the first, the last, my everything” I could almost only believe at first, in this folky version, as being even a bit more sentimental, naïve or otherwise in some other version as being cynical. Hearing Barry White sing this song, a rather macho bear, he shows with it certain vulnerability. Sung in a folky version with this sweet voice I would say becareful, my lady, for what changes in life could bring in times of change when some people’s survival quests are prepared to give up promises when it seems that for some it were personal desires that are still cared for more in the end (It sounds more a slavish comitment than a promise). “At last I’m free” is much more dealing with changed situations, and feels therefore more painfully real. The singing is so sweet, and the melodies ought to be hugged, the whole result as well as the charming interpretations still are winners and very attractive above all.
I heard a full release is already in the pipeline..
