Anne Marie Almedal 'Memory Lane' - Self-Release

This is the third CD release from Norwegian singer/songwriter, Anne Marie Almedal, an artist with a very special talent. Across twelve intimately crafted songs, her hauntingly beautiful voice teases and gently wraps the listener in a sense of warmth and well-being. The arrangements and production display a lightness of touch at the hands of Nicholas Sillitoe, who also co- wrote ten of the songs and plays a variety of instruments on the recording.

We embark on a journey which takes the listener into a world of sweet sensuality and spectral imagery. The musicianship across the songs is of a very high quality with much sublime playing, including Danny Thompson on double bass and Kjetil Grande on electric guitar. The string arrangements are a real bonus and bring new dimensions to these gentle songs of love and longing, with the sensitive playing of violin, cello and viola intertwining and colouring the music.

 Two cover versions are inspired in their selection and given a freshness in their treatment; John Martyn (May You Never) and David Gates (If). There is a strong folk music influence and the gentle melodies and singing remind me of Sandy Denny and Fairport Convention. Anne Marie Almedal is a very interesting talent and this collection comes highly recommended.