ISLA GRANT - I'm A Survivor

ISLA GRANT is one of Scotland’s biggest musical exports. She’s continues to be one of the most popular names on the Irish concert circuit. She’s off on a tour of Newfoundland this month, and in the autumn has a 2 ½ month tour of Australia and New Zealand lined up.
Although Isla is well recognised as a songwriter, having written such well covered songs as “Cottage In The Country” and “It’s a Dream Come True”, her latest 16 track album, “I’m A Survivor” only has three self penned numbers.  This gives us an insight into Isla’s own musical tastes, and quite varied they are.
She kicks off the album with Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice”, covers Willie Nelson’s “Alice In Hullaland” and “Nothing I Can Do About It Now” (written by Beth Neilson Chapman), Marty Robbins’ “Fly Butterfly Fly”, and a couple of Lacy J Dalton songs, including the title track, “I’m A Survivor”.
She even has one for the line dancers, with a cover of Rick Springfield’s “Speak To The Stars”.
But one that really sounds close to one of her own composition’s is “The Bridle On The Wall”, written way back in 1936 by Carson Robertson. Boy, has Isla put her own stamp on it. One of the album’s highlights, for sure.
Talking of her own songs, “Love Me” and “A Love That Used To Be” are both nice melodies with lovely lyrics. “Back Home”, is a real Isla style homecoming song. Isla’s done so much travelling over the years, but still calls Scotland home. It’s a really heartfelt homely number.
Elsewhere, I really loved her treatment of “Leavin’ And Sayin’ Goodbye”, originally a hit for Grand Ole Opry legend Jeannie Seeley. A special mention for “They Called It Music”, a catchy number originally done by bluegrass band, The Gibson Brothers. Isla really sparkles on this number.
The album closes with the sensitive “In The Time That You Gave Me”, which is a song, so associated with Joey Feek.
Another lovely heartwarming collection of songs from the wonderful Isla.
www.islagrant.net