Evon Brennan - Small Mercies (Red Cliff) By Steve Rudd Release Date: June 2006

Evon is surely destined to become a huge star in her own right when her Small Mercies album is released in June 2006. Born to an Irish mother and African father, Evon spent some of her childhood in a children's home where she learned to play the piano. Brought up in Ireland, once she moved to Dublin she realised that a career in music was the only thing for her - the only thing, in fact, that was worth a damn.

In Dublin she soon found herself in a band and touring the country, before Evon upped sticks and headed for London, working as a backing vocalist and touring the world with various bands. She even moved out to live in Santa Monica, California, for a while - but she ended up back in London soon enough, and now she's pursuing a solo career on the strength of her sultry voice and original musical ideas. There are traces of Tracy Chapman's voice in Evon's way with bringing her words to life, as her haunting Waiting number couples her soul-stirring vocals with subtly entrancing musicianship to produce a slow-paced wonder that Suzanne Vega would be proud of.

Do Not Worry, somewhat similarly, is an extremely personal, intimate and unforgettable offering, before the strong backbeat and melody that anchors her Daniel tune proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that here in Evon Brennan is a rare talent indeed. Small Mercies is her debut album. An album that might just take the nation by storm if there is any justice. E-mail louise@quitegreat.co.uk. for more info

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