ISLA GRANT - Dream Of Me

ISLA GRANT is one of Scotland’s most successful Country music writers, with her songs like “Cottage In The Country”, “It’s a Dream Come True” and “Will You Walk With Me” being recorded by many other artists around the world.
Her latest album “Dream Of Me” includes four of her own songs, alongside an interesting selection of covers, from Grand Ole Opry legend Jeannie Seely’s “Leaving And Saying Goodbye”, to bluegrass duo The Osborne Brothers’ “Windy City” , Woody Guthrie’s “When The Roses Bloom Again” and Springsteen’s “Tougher Than The Rest”. On each of the covers, Isla has given the songs her own unique style.
The title track was a hit for Vern Gosdin, although it’s the Alison Krauss version which inspired Isla’s version here. “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow”, a gospel song, written back in 1950 by Ira Stanphil, is another which Alison Krauss has also recorded. Another gospel number, “Climb Higher” closes the album, a song which Gene Watson fans will recognise.
Two of Isla’s own songs on the album, are re-recordings, simply as the originals are on old albums which are no longer available, but fans keep asking for them. In both cases, “Single Yellow Rose” and “Keeper Of my Heart” are given new slower arrangements.
Other original songs include the really catchy “Completely Over You” and “No One Knows”.
It’s a lovely easy listening album, which I really enjoyed.
Isla has built up a huge fan base over the years, and this album can only enhance her popularity. Look out also for a Live DVD of her “Opry Le Daniel” TV show, which was shown recently on BBC Alba.

ELAINE LENNON - Elaine Lennon

Glasgow singer songwriter ELAINE LENNON will release one of the most eagerly awaited albums on the Scottish music scene during her concert at Celtic Connections on January 24th 2020.
Since her first live appearance last December, Elaine started 2019 winning the prestigious Danny Kyle Award, appeared at both The Millport Country Music Festival and the Glasgow Americana Festival, and has been named as the Nashville Songwriters Association International 2019 “One To Watch”.

Her self titled debut album (Little Sailor Records), recorded at Chem19 Studios in Blantyre, features 10 self written songs and one Country standard.  It would be a stretch of the imagination to label this as a Country album, but given that Millport and the NSAI have embraced her, then its only right we feature her in these pages too.
Several of the songs are quite bluesy/jazzy numbers, most notably, the lead single “Trouble”, “This” and “In Songs We Live On”. It’s a style which suits her voice on these songs.
But then again, on other tracks, I hear similarities with the likes of established Country singer songwriters such as Beth Neilsen Chapman and Lori McKenna.
The album kicks off with “Next Friday Night”, which has really grown on me over a few listens. Elaine plays piano, which features heavily throughout the album. The simplicity of the arrangement, highlights the piano, alongside her stunning vocals on this track. Similar ballads include the stunning “Only Love Can Break Your Heart”, “Alone Here With You” and “By Your Side”.
She does lift the tempo on “Little Bird, Little Sailor”. Again a little bluesy, it kinda reminds me of the likes of Bobbie Gentry or Joan Baez. But it shows that Elaine isn’t restricted to piano led ballads.
The one song that Elaine didn’t write, is a cover of Patsy Cline’s “She’s Got You”. But it’s a song that she could’ve written. Stripped right down to the piano, and a subtle whiff of steel way off in the background, Elaine delivers a stunning slowed down version of the song. I have to say that having heard the song hundreds of times, I found myself hooked on every word Elaine delivered in this version, more so than I ever did with Patsy!
For a debut album, this is a stunning collection of material, and will establish Elaine as a real force on the Scottish music scene in 2020.

SANDY McLELLAND - Cross The Line

SANDY McLELLAND is an exiled Glaswegian, living these days in the big smoke of London, and beyond.
Throughout a long and respected music career Sandy has contributed to the artistic achievements of numerous artists and projects all over the world. His early days saw him work with the humblest of new pop artists such as Neneh Cherry and Bros, through to established international stars like Paul McCartney & Tears For Fears. He is a 3 times Grammy nominee and has won awards around the world.
His new album, “Cross the Line” brings him to the attention of Country & Americana audiences. 
There are vibrant and optimistic themes in songs like the celtic influenced, “We Always Will”, and charming, upbeat offerings, like ”I Believe in You”. 
The album kicks off with the title track, a mid tempo number, which has a smouldering vocal, which instantly conjours up comparisons to The Eagles sound.
“Already Gone” is a good upbeat number, as is “I’ve Ever Known”, the track released as a single to radio.  “All In The Name Of Love” was a bit rocky for my ears, but Sandy made it work for him.
Some of the slower numbers include “Before The Sun Goes Down”, “Before It’s Now” and “Reason To Believe”, which I really liked. 
“River Of Tears” has quite a haunting tribal feel to it, which suits the song perfectly.
“Poor Excuse”, which features vocals by Dee Jay did make its mark on me.
Stand out track has to be the very personal “My Home Town”, and fellow Glaswegians should check out Sandy’s video for the song, and try to work out his route as he drives around the city.
The album was entirely written, performed and produced by Sandy, in his own studio, with the help of a few friends. 
‘Cross the Line’ is unashamedly rooted in the American country, blues, folk and soul music he absorbed in his early days in Glasgow. It’s an album which certainly crosses genres, and should appeal to rock & pop fans alongside Country & Americana.