KEITH MACLEOD - Acoustic Originals

We’ll start our reviews this time around with two singers from the North of Scotland.
KEITH MACLEOD’s musical fan base has stretched far and wide from his Sutherland home. He has performed, and recorded in several Highland based bands over the years, and can still occasionally be seen performing with Maggie & Tennessee Express. Keith was born into his music. His father, David, was a big music fan, as well as a songwriter. Keith realised, at an early age, that the words meant as much to him, if not more so, than the music.
A good few years ago, Keith recorded an album of his father’s songs, which proved very popular, and helped him build up his popularity, and even exposure on BBC Alba’s Ceol Country.
He has recorded a few “singles” since then, but now comes his second album, “Acoustic Originals”, which is, as the title suggests, a collection of 10 original songs recorded in a simple acoustic style.
A couple of songs get second airings from his first album, namely “Dirty Ashtrays” and “Grandma’s Pictures”. He has also recorded another of his father’s songs, “The Bottle”.  The other 7 songs are from Keith’s own pen.
Despite the acoustic approach, Keith delivers a strong “full” sound on each track.
Most of the songs are strong ballads, especially. “If Seeing Is Believing” and “Where I Did”.
“My Heart Helped My Hands” is a really strong Country song, the sort of song you can imagine a Gene Watson doing.
One of the most sensitive tracks, “Banjo” is about the family dog, a song which anyone with pets, will associate with. “Be Patient”, which closes the album, is another thoughtful, sensitive song, which really puts life into perspective.
“I Know An Angel” is a bit more upbeat, and is quite catchy. It’s certainly a bit different to the rest of the album.
It’s a really nice album, and one I’d definitely recommend.
Keith tells me “it was recorded with the intention of it being a bit raw and focusing on the words. There’s a bit of room noise etc, but I wanted it to be authentic”.
The initial CD pressing was quite modest, which makes it all the most precious to get these songs into your collection.
You can contact Keith via his Facebook page, or his website www.keith-macleod.com

RUBY RENDALL - No More Broken Promises

RUBY RENDALL was making quite a name for herself thirty years ago. She was popular on the road with her own band, having come down from Orkney, was part of Colorado for a while, guesting on the Opry in Nashville with Jean Shepard, and had her own radio programmes on the BBC, both in Aberdeen, and across Scotland.

Since then, Ruby has concentrated on her music school in Aberdeenshire, but still has a loyal fan base who encourage her to do the odd gigs.

“No More Broken Promises” (Roadside Records) was a cassette only release from Ruby, way back in 1988. Now, 32 years on, the album is available on CD for the first time, thanks to Gordon Gunn, who has freshened up the sound, and remastered the album for this release.

The bright & breezy title track was written by Nashville based Mark Mosely, who has worked and encouraged many UK Country over the years. Mark produced Ruby’s next album, so must’ve been impressed with her sound.

The album kicks off with “Hard Hearted”, a fast paced bluegrass number originally done by Jim & Jesse McReynolds. That’s followed by Highway 101’s “The Bed You Made For Me”, and Nanci Griffiths’ slow anthem, “From a Distance”. From the first three songs you get an immediate idea of just how versatile a repertoire that Ruby offers.

“What You Gonna Do” is a catchy number written by Shetland based Mackie Sutherland. It’s just one of two tracks written by Mackie on the album, the other being “Please Wont You Stay”.

There’s Cajun and tex mex influences on “Our Last Night”.

Other tracks include another bluegrass cover in “Too Late To Cry”, Hoyt Axton’s “Lion In The Winter” and a haunting version of “White Rhythm And Blues”, which brings back memories of Linda Ronstadt’s version.

Closing off the album, is my favourite track on the album, ”My Heart’s In Trouble (Over You)”- a really catchy number.

It’s really good to hear this album again. One that certainly deserves to be upgraded to CD status.

Incidentally, Ruby has picked “From A Distance” for a single, which proceeds will be donated to the CLAN Cancer charity in the North East.

JACQUI SHARKEY - Home

Glasgow born, Donegal based JACQUI SHARKEY has made a name for herself in recent years for her warm, smooth vocal style and lovely ballads. Her new EP, “Home” is her first release since her 2017 cover of The Waterboys’ “Whole Of The Moon”. This 4 track collection shows Jacqui to the best of her vocal ability.
The title track is quite a powerful celtic version of the Karla Bonoff song, whilst “Just An Illusion” is a cover of the Dutch pop group BZN’s hit. Jacqui’s version fits well with her style of music, although you can pick up a little “80’s Eurovision” influence.
“Back To Earth”, a sensitive lament for the broken hearted, is one of these hidden gems from Willie Nelson’s pen. Jacqui’s version is quite spine chilling. It’s a superb.
And the EP is rounded out by one of Jacqui’s own songs, “Until Then”, a sensitive, piano led emotional ballad, written after the tragic death of her friend, Dawn Croke, in a road accident last year.
Jacqui’s voice is as beautiful as ever. When she first appeared on the scene, she was thought of, as having an Anne Murray sound, but, over the years has matured her own style, which, as this collection shows, can adapt to a number of writers styles.