After growing up in Hertfordshire and experiencing life under the
short-lived management wing of Ricky Gervais (really), Gill Sandell has gigged
and recorded with a number of groups, including Timothy Victor's Folk
Orchestra, The Broken Family Band and Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo.
Her debut album, 2010's 'Tarry Awhile' was a true collaborative effort, featuring artists she has worked with before. And now comes that 'difficult second album'. Except nothing here is difficult to listen to; in fact, it's a gorgeous tapestry of ethereal folk vignettes.
Album opener 'The Border' is a dreamy and barely-there exercise in relaxation, as is the piano-led 'Distance'. While there's nothing up-tempo here, this is welcomed heartily: this is an album for whiling away the time when you've had 'one of those days', soothing and melancholy in equal measure. 'Rooms For Sleep' is a perfect combination of this, Sandell's vocals washing through like waves, and it's a particular highlight on a very impressive album.
Gill tours her album from Sept 20, and her website www.gillsandell.com is well worth checking out for more information on this acclaimed musician.
Tracks: The Border/Sparkle Eyes/Distance/The Listening Ear/Rooms For Sleep/Sickle Swing/Every Willing Answer/Somedays/Forget Our Fires/Wide Eyed Wandering/The Old Whirlpool
★★★★