Staff Reviews

Nancy Elizabeth - Wrought Iron

Review by Rory Gibb

Moving away from the harp-dominated textures of her appropriately named debut Battle & Victory – a gauntlet thrown down for this follow-up to match, which it does with aplomb – Wrought Iron sees Elizabeth continues to explore the possibilities of fleshing out the most skeletal of folk standard templates through unconventional instrumentation. »

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'wrought iron' is the second album by wigan's nancy elizabeth, following the success of 2007's 'battle and victory'. largely focused on piano-led songs (nancy's instrument of choice this time), the album is a more understated affair than the guitar and harp-centred debut. the quality of the songwriting is stronger than ever, with a more personal, emotional edge to this album.
recorded in a remote corner of north wales following time spent in rural spain and the faroe islands, the album's arrangements reflect a sense of space and solitude. the album is as much influenced by the minimalism of arvo part and steve reich as by the choral harmonies of judee sill and the bare expression of leonard cohen's early records. nancy recorded with james yorkston on his last album 'when the haar rolls in', as well as a forthcoming album of traditional folk songs as part of the big eye family players. she also recently collaborated with japanese artist susumu yokota on his album 'mother', and contributed to the lal waterson tribute album 'migrating bird'.
'wrought iron' should appeal to fans of pj harvey's white chalk, talk talk, beth gibbons, laura marling, blue roses and alela diane.
description from www.roughtrade.com