Edwina Hayes - Out On My Own (Radar) By Steve Rudd

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. Turquoise, the effect is enchanting as her fragile finger-picked guitar strains work their magic.

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's 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. www.edwinahayes.com

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