I'm always sceptical when an artist gets almost universal acclaim from the mainstream press and broadcasters. It's usually a recipe for sinking without trace.

And that would probably be my expectation of this 2nd album released by Nell Bryden. It's been well documented that the album was funded by the sale of a painting discovered in an attic, and the album itself has been heralded as the latest retro marvel.

The marketplace at present seems to be crowded with new artists revisiting the Sixties and beyond - Winehouse, Beth Rowley et al. But in Brydon's case the influence stretch way back to the 1950s - rockabilly, New Orleans jazz, Patsy Cline era country and blues.

No doubting the album is beautifully played, recorded and sung, but I'd seriously question whether there's a market for a sound that sounds quite so authentically vintage than a modern take on the era.

The standout track though, for me, is the lovely Goodbye which has more in common with the Tracy Chapman songwriting style and is somewhat out of place. For that track alone, I'll give it ***.

***

Review by Pete Whalley