When I last (and first) saw Rebecca Collins, she was playing support at a mid-week city-centre gig. Just her and her guitar. I confess, I though she could take Nashville. Still do. However, that was before I hear her E.P., At Sea.
Now I can see her playing anywhere.
At Sea is a beautifully presented work, from the graphics and design-work to the production on the tracks and, definitely not least, the music itself. Containing just four tracks, this is something for the collection. (I know, I know, by definition an E.P. will generally not contain more than four but when it ends, you want more.)
It helps that the production, to this reviewer’s ear, is good. It helps that Ms Collins herself was involved directly in the production so that nothing is lost in the translation. It helps that she appears to work with some of the best musicians in the country – certainly, cellists like Kate Ellis aren’t exactly ten’a’penny! But all of this is just icing when you listen to the songs themselves.
Let’s not beat about the bush here. Ms Collins can write. She is a poet. She is a songwright. And she can arrange music. The lyrics are beautiful, the harmonies intelligent. This all sounds rather bland in the reading so I urge you to get your hands on the cd and make up your own mind. This is more moody than mood music with the common denominator running through the four different tracks being her affinity with the minor 7th. This last tendency lends an ethereal air to the sound which works best on the very evocative Stella Maris.
Ms Collins is following in the tradition of singer/songwriters like Fiona Apple & Suzanne Vega. Her songs have a poignancy & strength – so very feminine, so very good.
At Sea
- Can’t be tough
- Marseille, Marseille
- I bit a tear
- Stella Maris
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