JACKIE STORRAR - Cross The Border

Smooth Radio’s Jackie Storrar has quite an international career, having played to audiences in no less than 42 countries around the world. Her radio career took her from Radio Tay to Malta, and home again.
This is certainly not an all out Country album, but as Jackie admits, her influences are in UK pop as well as modern Country.
She does cover a couple of pop tracks, although Motorhead’s “Ace Of Spades” certainly has a country rock feel to it. Country fans will instantly recognise Dan Seal’s (when he was England Dan) “I Really Like To See You Tonight” and Mary McGregor’s “Torn Between Two Lovers”, which Jackie does a good job on.
But it’s the original material, which Jackie wrote, that really makes this album stand out.
The album kicks off with the catchy “Dont Leave Me Just Squeeze Me”, followed by some solid Country ballads like “Heaven Blessed”, “The More I Give You” and the title track .
“Angel In Disguise” , “Sometimes Love Is Not Enough” and “Which One Takes The Blame” are particularly strong songs of family values. I’m sure many readers will be able to associate with them. As Jackie writes on the sleevenotes, as she stands on the border between youth and maturity, she reflects on her own life,where one crosses the border between joy and heartache. That’s certainly reflected in the songs on this album. And because these songs are so much self inspired, she really delivers from the heart.
My own favourite has to be “She’s All Cried Out”, which is such a strong Country song, that would do Reba proud.
Recorded in Spain, and Valleyfield, the album is produced by Pete Ware who has previously worked with Charlie Landsborough. The musicians include Dougie Stevenson, Willie Logan and Canadian fiddler Ian Cameron.
In the main, it’s a modern Country sounding album. The production is great, the songs well crafted, and sung beautifully. Well worth checking out. The album is available in HMV,Virgin and Borders.