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Praise for Clouds with Silver
‘A beautiful album..it really is’ Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2
‘Excellent new album…a real step up in sound for Lisa, the quality and profile of the guests are guaranteed to raise her profile both here and the US, and this is an album that will bring her to an even wider audience.’ Fish Records. Read full review here
‘a very strong and confident piece of work that deserves to be heard.’
Proper Music Distribution
‘a sensational breeze of fresh air. The lyrical and vocal content of all 11 of Lisa’s self-penned songs, provide a longing for more and more accomplished singer-songwriters like herself to come out of the woodwork…a fantastic insight into a world of love, loss and changes’ Maverick Magazine ****
Bob Harris ‘darling’ set to charm the mainstream
‘She has really developed as both a songwriter and performer has our Redford, the London-based songwriter who has surpassed all her previous work with this beautiful record. Recorded in NYC, it’s clear a little bit of that city’s confidence and bravado has rubbed off on her and she seems way more confident and at ease with herself these days. The opener “Come Back Down” is a pearl. It’s simple (yet catchy as hell) riposte to self-evaluation that would, in an ideal world, attract heavy rotation at Radio 2. There is a warmth and welcoming vibe to Redford’s music that really is difficult to resist. Given that a lot of these songs seem to be about failed love or unquenchable longing, it’s an acute sense of melody and delivery that stop this becoming just another rummage around a broken heart. Musicianship is top class with strings being a welcome and unobtrusive addition. Her voice – sweet, sultry, sensational at times – becomes an old friend after a few plays and when at its best really does find a way of piercing the old emotional ducts. Bob Harris, the patron saint of female singer-songwriters, has Redfordright up there at the top of the pile. It’s easy to see why with “Clouds With Silver” potentially being the record that will catapult her to new heights. Yeah, liked this one, mighty fine indeed.’ Americana UK – 8 out of 10
‘Recorded in New York City and Norfolk (UK), with string overdubs in Nashville and co-produced by Brad Albetta (Martha Wainwright, Teddy Thompson), Lisa has been able to call on a pool of The Big Apple’s most talented players to flesh out her acoustic ballads. Four of the eleven self-written songs are also enriched by some beautiful string arrangements, provided by one of Nashville’s most highly regarded producers, David Henry (Josh Rouse, Alison Krauss, REM) and violinist and Ryan Adams cohort Claudia Chopek.
There’s an immediate connection to the emotional territory of the songs which imbues an easy familiarity and regular listeners to Bob Harris will already know Lisa’s subtle tremolo and classic country lilt. Infused with a real intimacy on tracks like NY Song, Call Me and the melancholic New Years Day and The Boy Who…, she can also up the volume for songs like the anthemic Makes Your Heart Sing and the band driven When You Come Home. This is classy and assured. Lisa is one to watch for sure.’
Properganda magazine
Lisa Redford
Clouds with Silver ****
Producers: Lisa Redford & Brad Albetta
There has always been an American influence on British singer-songwriter Lisa Redford so travelling to New York to record her third album must have felt like a natural progression. Lisa has also taken the role of co-producer for Clouds with Silver with Brad Albetta (Martha Wainwright’s husband).
The arrangements have a light touch and vary in their complexity in sympathy with the needs of the songs. The icy winter imagery of New Years Day and the contemplative lyric Time to Grow are accompanied by just acoustic guitar and would be diminished with any more complex arrangements, but elsewhere the warmth of strings or the addition of a rhythm section are added when required.
There are contributions from some fine New York musicians. JimCampilongo (of Norah Jones’ Little Willies) provides guitar on When You Come Home, violinist Claudia Chopek creates the harmonious string arrangements for NY Song and Live Your Life, and David Henry the string arrangements on Make Your Heart Sing and Here Alone.
There are lots of melancholic themes about break-ups, lost love and loneliness, but there is a sense of hope in the articulate lyrical construction that steers the songs away from any sense of self-pity. There is also a smattering of positive themes: Live Your Life advocates following one’s dreams, Time to Grow looks at self-development, Come Back Down warns against the pitfalls of arrogance and When You Come Home emphasises the importance of friends.
Clouds with Silver is Redford’s best album so far. Her pure, pretty voice has developed a deeper resonance and character and her attractive melodies and thoughful lyrics have become more consistent and finer crafted.
Country Music People Magazine
tellingly it’s the soaring yet intimate vocals of Redford that shine throughout…She adds smouldering depth to fine self-penned material such as ‘NY Song’, ‘Live Your Life’, ‘The Boy Who…’ and ‘Time to Grow’. Her grasp of texture, mood and fearlessness in giving it her all, I suspect, comes with the realisation that she actually possesses a voice able to do her musical vision justice.’
R2 Rock n Reel Magazine ****
‘Lisa Redford is a breath of fresh air. Hers is a pure and quite lovely voice which delivers some sweet Americana-tinged songs from the heart, all done to tasteful acoustic arrangements including some nice fingerstyle guitar. Redford is based in Manchester, but recorded this album in New York with Brad Albetta (Mr Martha Wainwright). Alison Krauss and Kathleen Edwards have been mentioned in connection with Redford, but the comparison only really holds in terms of vocal purity and the unfussy acoustic settings. Clouds with Silver, Redford’s third album, does not generally attempt the emotional darkness of Krauss or Edward’s moodier moments. It’s a slightly lighter confection (not necessarily a bad thing) and the bouncy country song When You Come Home is among the stand-out moments. The keening high notes of Call Me also betray Redford’s affection for Kate Bush – probably the first of those wackily characterful female singer-songwriters.’
Manchester Evening News
‘Lisa has already been described as, ‘one of our finest singer/songwriters, by BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris and I would not argue with a Bob recommendation. This is melodic acoustic music of the finest quality; gentle, soulful and uplifting at the same time. The end result has been achieved by recording in New York Citywith some of the best in the business and with two albums behind her the apprenticeship is complete. She mixes delicate and melancholy with the upbeat with ease and should sit pretty either side of the pond!’
Classic Rock Society Magazine
Redford has grown in both confidence and stature as both songwriter and singer for her best album to date.’ Fatea Magazine
‘Radio 2 playlist here you come’ **** The Event Magazine
‘heartfelt acoustic folk-pop gem’ Going Out Magazine, Evening News
‘an accomplished and melodic achievement’ In-Sync Magazine
‘When You Come Home demonstrates both her powerful and soulful vocals and her maturity as a songwriter.’ Access to Music ATOM compilation CD which features Lisa.
‘Live Your Life is a song that shines a light on the futility of remaining trapped in one’s comfort zone and disregarding one’s intuition to avoid failure and disappointment, yet it also provides a consoling dose of inspiration for those who have stepped out of their comfort zone and been met by broken promises, failure and disappointment. The underlying message of the song is that life is to be embraced not only for the rewards it has the potential to provide but also for whatever setbacks may be encountered along the way..Live Your Life is a great song to hear at any time, but especially after you’ve experienced a setback, failure or disappointment, for it’s sure to inspire you to persist in your quest to achieve your goal.’
Clive Swersky from Alive with Clive US TV show on the track ‘You’re your Life’ which Lisa has performed live on the show and has the honour of being the most played video on Clive’s Youtubechannel.
Praise for Lost Again
‘a lovely album..I’m a big fan of Lost Again’
Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2
‘Lost Again’ really delivers on the promise shown on her debut disc – memorable songs, strong vocals and sweet melodies combine to make an excellent album.’
‘one of the most captivating records of its kind that I’ve received for review this year…while Lost Again is manifestly a continuation in terms of Lisa’s deeply felt yet recognisably smart songwriting, and its basic idiom remains exquisite melodic country-tinged acoustic pop, the album is definitely and consciously more “produced”, with significantly increased instrumentation and beautiful (and imaginative) arrangements to envelop Lisa’s trademark stunning voice and acoustic guitar and complement her reflective, heartfelt and emotionally-charged (without being overwrought) lyrics…the end result is heart-meltingly good…Play this rapturously good CD just once, and you’ll definitely want to get lost again (and again, and again…) in its charms, I just know it!’
Netrhythms, read full review here
‘a well accomplished selection of songs which are personal, direct and easily accessible. Strong, distinct melodies give the tracks a sense of immediacy and are topped off by Lisa’s great voice and some excellent musical backing.’
Americana UK
‘my pick of the crop has to be Lost Again – Lisa Redford. I personally would put Lisa in the same bracket as country/folk singers Iris Dement and Nanci Griffith. I will be very disappointed if we do not get to hear more from this lady with the super voice. And her talents do not just stop there, all tracks on this album, except for one, were written by Lisa Redford. If you like good music, this one is well worth a listen.’
Roy Heap, Pedal Steel Magazine
‘a wonderful cd’
East Magazine
‘this album is even better..an alt country-tinged set with zippy melodies and excellent playing all topped with Lisa’s effortlessly pure vocals.’
The Event Magazine ****
‘it is that voice which is her crowning glory and sets her apart from her contemporaries. In a market awash with quality female singer/songwriters Lisa Redford is up there with the best.’
Classic Rock Society
‘Lisa knows how to write songs that linger on longer than the length of the CD..she writes great melodies and lovely refrains.’
MazzMusikaS, Belgium
‘it’s wonderful but I expected that of course’ Harmony Ridge Music,California, USA
‘there is no doubting the quality of writing and performance’
Proper Music Distribution
‘a terrific record that I love a lot!’
Alt Country Cooking, The Netherlands
‘We love the Cd and have been playing it on the programs.’Folkscene, USA
‘seems to confirm the good things I said about the debut album so it will be a pleasure to play them in my radio show here…the songs are even easier on the ear than it’s predecessor!’
Radio Voce Spazio, Italy
‘Concerning Lost Again, the album from the young British Lisa Redford, we have to be
honest, that our attention was attracted by the name of the producer Gabriel Minnikin. The Ex-
Guthrie took the greatest part of all the instruments for his count. Therefore he’s responsible that the beautiful Redford stays at the good side from the frontier between commercial (pop) country andAmericana. By using instruments like banjo, mandolin, accordianand lap and steel guitar, he shows the full advantage of Redfordsvoice. Breakable ballads (Dragonfly) relieved by Americana tunes (Lost again / Love you anyway / You will know) and some commercial country pop (Wildfire / The way it goes / Why). Especially the Americana songs stole our hearts.’
Ctrlaltcounty, Belgium
‘Plain classy – roots and all..her ballady songs had an effortless feel, as if they bounced right out of her without her having to try.’
EDP Live review of Lost Again Album launch
Praise for Slipstream
‘a beautiful debut album…a lovely songwriter with a great voice.’ Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2
‘Slipstream is an amalgam of heartache, fervour and triumph, sung with authority and passion…In a sea of smart female singer-songwriters, Lisa Redford is an admiral.’
Maverick Magazine ****
‘Every so often a CD by an totally new, unknown artist comes along and just knocks you sideways. That happened for me last year when SLIPSTREAM, the debut album by Norwich-based singer-songwriter Lisa Redford, landed in my CD player.’ Interview feature in Maverick Magazine
‘her long-awaited debut album, can best be described as heavenly…This album will grow and grow on you – buy it.’
The Event Magazine ****
‘this is no clumsy pastiche of other people’s work, it’s a distinct and individual disc that more than stands up on its own as a strong collection of new material. This is possibly the best independent UKsinger/songwriter disc we’ve heard over the past 5 years…Highly recommended.’
Fish Records – read full review here
‘Redford’s voice is clear and well-articulated…she demonstrates a mature songwriting style…This album should provide her with a platform on which to further build her reputation.’
Country Music People magazine ***1/2
‘an absolute beauty…twelve gorgeous songs that make an instant impression. Simple, pure, mainly acoustic, it’s an album full of highs…highly recommended.’
East Life Magazine
‘Redford never loses track of what she does best, which is create acoustic gems full of heart-felt emotion… captures Lisa’s ability to hold a listener’s attention with just her voice, words, and acoustic guitar.’
BestFemaleMusicians
‘(allows) the strength and sensitivity of Redford’s voice to come to the fore, a tool she interweaves with her gentle picking to maximum effect…Redford’s star will shine somewhat brighter on the wider acoustic scene in the near future.’
Folk and Roots
‘Quite simply she writes great songs which are the perfect vehicle for her stunningly beautiful voice…she’s right up there with the best of them.’
Classic Rock Society
‘As a solo artist she exudes an angelic, almost ethereal charm; her agreeable, warm vocals simple and enticing, coupling delightfully with her palette of gentle acoustics…there’s a dedication at work beneath these dozen delightfully crafted songs that burns bright with commendable confidence.’
Logo Magazine ***
‘An excellent debut-CD from an interesting Brittish artist. I long to hear her next release. If you haven´t heard her, then do!’
Smalands Country Club, Sweden *****
‘delicate acoustic roots pop with heartfelt lyrics and a superbvocal..deserves to be bigger than Katie Melua!’
Reveal Records
‘a great album’
Harmony Ridge Music, California
‘This record showcases Lisa’s voice, one that could turn the bleakest Norfolk winter into a Bahamian paradise.’
Americana UK
Selected Press quotes
‘Sweetly angelic vocals and songs dealing with universal themes, this is a singer going places.’ East Life Magazine
‘A fine example of Lisa’s beautiful voice and songwriting talent.’ Review of Lisa’s song ‘Turn Away’ in The Event Magazine
‘An absolutely beautiful voice…her songs are simple and perfect and will be buzzing round your head for weeks after you hear them.’
BBC Radio
‘She has one of those voices that make you feel good when you listen to her… Her ability to carry a line on the acoustic guitar is first rate.’ Best Female Musicians
‘Acclaimed singer-songwriter Lisa has earned herself a reputation as a formidable talent. Don’t miss this star in the making.’
One Hundred Magazine
‘a wonderful voice’ Virgin Records
‘With an angelic voice and a shed load of talent this girl is going to go far..a born star..only a matter of time before she has world domination.’
The Biz ITV1
‘continues to make huge waves with her sweet melancholy…a formidable talent and a star in the making.’
Norwich Arts Centre