With instrumental assistance from various member of Sligo-based outfits like Rackhouse Pilfer, No Crows and Anything Goes, Offaly born singer-songwriter and flautist Collette Sheerin writes mellow, organic folk-rock/pop. Her second album is a lovingly crafted and deftly played collection that reveals a songwriting talent to be reckoned with.
On the gently shuffling ‘The Wicked’, Sheerin’s voice recalls 80s US folk maverick, Michelle Shocked, while on the country-ish ‘Pure Gold’ she comes across like a younger Marianne Faithful with a touch of Iris Dement’s down-home delivery. Her voice shines on the gorgeous piano-grounded ballad ‘Love is Blind’, which features stellar backing harmonies and rhythm section.
Elsewhere, ‘Two For Joy’ is a jaunty, up-tempo folk tune, while the bluesy, ‘Little Apples’ showcases yet another side to her versatility. The closing title track, an instrumental, appears to be inspired at least in part by Led Zep’s ‘Stairway To Heaven’ and features a lovely descending guitar pattern, mellifluous flute and tin whistle. Worth hearing.