Reviewed by Phil Thomson

Julie is a violin teacher working at various schools in West and East Sussex. She is also a hugely accomplished singer whose previous albums 'Bluebells Rising' (2004) and 'Days Of Wine' (2006) have led to this latest collaboration with poet and lyricist Robert Eggleston. It is an absolute pictorial delight, Julie Hall has a voice of such haunting fragility, its subtle persuasion filters out all other distractions. From song to sensitive song you'll find yourself dreaming her worlds, taking on her journey, finishing off her stories. And it is all so unforced. The essence of it is, I'm sure in her personality; it is certainly there in the poetry and in the music - Robert Eggleston's imaginative lyrics, Hall's musical ideas, the understated arrangements and playing - all work beautifully. Julie takes on some big themes - alienation ("My Heart Is A Dangerous Place"), Celtic ("Veni Sancte Spiritus"), slavery ("Our Flesh Is Not For Sale") - but you'd never know it; somehow they are treated to the same honesty and intimacy as "Bird With A Broken Wing" where her own vulnerability is on display. And that's what marks it out - the faintly elusive thread, the mystery and metaphor that is Balcombe Bridge. It is an album you can't help but experience.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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