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Review: 'EMM, TERRY'
'Starlight'   

-  Label: 'Azez'
-  Genre: 'Folk' -  Release Date: '11th August 2014'-  Catalogue No: 'AZEZ002CD'

Our Rating:
'Starlight' is the latest album by Bedfordshire alt-folk singer/songwriter Terry Emm. This is Terry's third album. His first, 'White Butterflies' caused ripples of excitement when it was released in 2009, whilst he was still a teenager, due to the intricate guitar playing and the well crafted lyrics which caused comparisons to be made with such greats as Nick Drake and John Martyn. Following this Terry recorded a few radio sessions and toured heavily to much acclaim.

In 2012, his second album was released, 'Petals Fallen Off The Sun', which again received almost unanimous support from the music press and critics alike. Some of the arrangements on this album were stark, and the lyrical contact somewhat darker than his debut.

Now we come to album number three,'Starlight', and I have to say Terry has certainly maintained the quality, and produced a very likeable album. There are ten tracks on the album, with Terry's excellent acoustic guitar work complementing such instruments as violins, viola and cello, creating an exquisite musical tapestry.

The opening track 'Wilderness' is a prime example, working its way into your conSciousness slowly and pleasantly, rather like the feeling you get when you wake from a dream. Terry's mellow vocals add to the atmosphere, although the lyrical content belies the happy sound: - “Welcome to the wilderness, welcome to the place that I know best/ Welcome to the wilderness, welcome to the place that I know best/ Trying to be what I can't, You think I'm gonna be the same."

The second track on the album, 'Forever and After' was released as the lead single from the album back in May. This is rockier, with electric guitars, bass and drums, and has a country edge to it. Once again, Terry's vocals are laid back and suit the mood of the song perfectly: - “Always liked the days when I'd see you and take you to town/ Days were a daydream, Of love and blossom ground."

For me, the high water mark on the album is the excellent 'Is There An End To Your Love?', a song using keys and acoustic guitar to produce a love song of depth and complexity as Terry remarks on the state of a relationship: - “How many time have I Fallen? How many times have you caught?/ How many times have I got it wrong? How many lessons you've taught/ How many chances are given? How many more do I have?/ How do you keep on lovin' me? Is there an end to your love?”

As stated earlier, Terry has built upon his previous work, and in this case managed to produce an album of strength and depth, and certainly one worth investigation.
  author: Nick Browne

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EMM, TERRY - Starlight