11:30am Wednesday 17th February 2010
By Harris Dee
SARAH CLASS: A NEW DAWN (Glorious Technicolour Records): IF you want to hear an amazing new voice on the music scene without all the glamour of a Gaga or the safetynet of a five girl band, then listen to the new EP by Sarah Class out on February 18.
If you like catchy, beautiful, acoustic folk-pop, sometimes with a country twist, then you won’t be disappointed by the seven self-penned tracks on this her first solo CD.
This is a big talent just waiting to be discovered on the mainstream music scene, even though Class already has a classy CV.
She was nominated for Emmy and BRIT awards as a classical musician and composer and has written scores for films. Class was awarded a best classical BRIT nomination for writing the Warner Classics recording Aurora, performed by acclaimed choral group Cantamus – the album had a lengthy top five stay in the UK charts and was number 1 in the Classic FM chart. She has even come to the notice of ‘fifth Beatle’, producer and arranger Sir George Martin.
From an early age she wrote music and poetry and performed as vocalist and pianist in bands since she was a teenager; her writing finds its inspiration from the woodlands, rolling hills and seascapes of the Isle of Wight.
SO if you hadn’t heard of her, you have now and this refreshing musical offering will have you wanting more. The songs are beautiful, the lyrics simple and melodic, and you can hear every word she sings – soft vocals drawing you in, gently and soothing to ease away your troubles after a hectic day.
There is a definite Andrea Corr quality to her voice at times especially on the title track ‘A New Dawn’, a catchy number with a cheery chorus. The opening track ‘Make me free’ is in similar vein, while ‘When Your Heart’ has a slight country edge which calms you and then catches you with another melodic chorus.
‘Northern Shores’ has the sea rolling in and out of the shoreline in the background, and you could close your eyes and feel you are there, on the water’s edge with the soft music and beautiful lyrics edged with some quiet slide guitar. ‘Darkness in My Heart’ is a beautiful acoustic ballad and ‘Baby I Will Know You’ another strong love song, while the set ends all too soon with track seven ‘A Golden Leaf Fell’, another excellent, mellow track in which you can almost sense the sounds and smells of summer.
Altogether this is an excellent first outing into the acoustic pop world and while it might have too many folksy edges for some, just give it a few plays and you will get sucked right in. It’s a brilliant effort by a talented singer, songwriter and musician – she plays piano on the tracks – and is a brilliant, self assured effort which should bring her to more people’s attention.
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