The prospects for a young woman making her mark as a country-styled singer songwriter are daunting. In a crowded field, icons Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith, Lucinda Williams, and Gillian Welch rule and show no signs of abdicating; and newcomers like Eileen Jewell, Sarah Borges, and Martha Scanlan have staked claims after encouraging critical and popular recognition.
It's the time you wept upon my sleeve
It's the night that called us home
When we were both too wired to sleep
It's your eyes' unearthly shade of blue
Gives me three good reasons to not to get over you
Within such an appealing collection, it's perilous singling out particular cuts, but two highlight McNeil's current prowess. "Wishbones" is a poignant, elegantly constructed song, replete with lovely swaying instrumentation, and longing lyrics. McNeil's vocals ache, and the harmonies soar. "Queen Of The Night" is class itself, and perhaps indicative of Tracy McNeil's emerging pathway:
So what's your favorite color
Do you like your middle name
Cause I don't feel like
Going home alone again
This is a brave recording, one that stands above the precious fare projecting depth and sensitivity, but rarely getting there. Tracy McNeil and her Hummingbird do so with ease, grace, and immense promise.
• Michael Hansen
Puremusic
www.puremusic.com
______________________________________________
"Fabulous Canadian roots music. Makes you want to throw another log on the fire, crack a cold one, pull out the instruments and get th jamboree started."
Ron Leary, cjam 91.5 Windsor, Ontario
___________________________
... great country tinged songs beautifully written, played, recorded & sung in a gorgeous voice reminiscent of Natalie Merchant (of 10,000 Maniacs) but perhaps very much of the distinctive vocal style we have become familiar with from Canadian artists...must be something very special in the water!! Check this one out...it's a corker!
Basement Discs
Melbourne, Australia
_____________________
"It's too early to know if this is going to be my album of the year but I can certainly say that I will be judging all others against this album. This album is highlighted by the brilliant tracks "Room Where She Lives", "Queen of the Night" and the new release of "Catastrophe."
-The Mark (WOT90's Radio)
_______________
After a long year of hitting number one and bouncing around the WOT90's weekly singles charts, "Room Where She Lives" as an LP lands at #3 on WOT90's Top Ten Albums of 2007.
Read more...