BBC Review
A surprisingly sophisticated triumph.
Sid Smith 2009-08-06
Having returned to the music scene in 2004 after an absence of over 30 years, Judy Dyble has delivered her best album to date. Frequently overshadowed by her proximity to Sandy Denny in the history of Fairport Convention, the fragile clarity of Judy Dyble's vocals can be followed like some elusive ley line burrowing through sometimes tangential discographies that include progressive rock, folk, trance, electronica, ambient, indie pop, the Canterbury Scene, and post rock.
Though some of these elements are present on Talking With Strangers, any off-the-peg categorisation of the record isn't that easy. As someone with a track record of working with the only the best, Dyble proves she hasn't lost her touch by collaborating with No Man's Tim Bowness, who co-wrote, produced and performs throughout.
Drawing upon other musical spaces and times means that Bowness and multi-instrumentalist, Alistair Murphy, have subtly retro-fitted the material with just the right amount reference points to shape the mood but not swamp it with ersatz nostalgia.
More than once the album's lyrics look back on Dyble's life and times with the 19-minute Harpsong becoming something of an epic sentimental journey, and featuring guest spots from some players and personalities who were there with Dyble back in the 60s.
Thus Ian McDonald and Robert Fripp (King Crimson), Celia Humphris (Trees), Jacqui McShee (Pentangle) and Simon Nicol (Fairports) become part of a swirling chorus, echoing reminders of meetings in what were undoubtedly remarkable times.
What could have been an ill-advised stylistic disaster is instead a surprisingly sophisticated triumph.
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Comment number 1.
At 13:28 14th Aug 2009, Kalidan wrote:This is a great treat for me. I always wondered what had happened to Judy Dyble; I was only really aware of here on the Fairport album, then I got the Gile Giles and Fripp Brondesbury Tapes album, which was home recordings by that group just prior to them transforming into King Crimson. The next thing I knew of Judy was that she was singing a Cropredy Festival but hadn't been aware of any other recorded output. Yesterday I heard this wonderful sound, in Fopp record shop in Edinburgh, which sounded strangely familiar. This album illustrates the strong connections between genres of music that superficially seem to be worlds apart. It is heartening that Judy has found route back into music after a long absence. I am pleased for her and but I am also delighted that we, the audience, have a chance to hear her again. This album seems to evoke the spirit of 1968, it feels like the last 40 years never happened, which in many ways is a great thing.
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Comment number 2.
At 13:27 25th Aug 2009, davebassexcod wrote:Completely agree with the above comments.Always liked Judy and would urge this person to buy the one album she did with Jackie McAuley under the name Trader Horne. The only album they did and very much in the spirit of "Talking with Strangers.
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Comment number 3.
At 14:47 31st Aug 2009, Curve-Ball wrote:Sid Smith says:
"Thus Ian McDonald and Robert Fripp (King Crimson), Celia Humphris (Trees), Jacqui McShee (Pentangle) and Simon Nicol (Fairports) become part of a swirling chorus, echoing reminders of meetings in what were undoubtedly remarkable times."
He forgot to mention that the very *TALENTED* JULIANNE REGAN (All About Eve)also contributes to "Talking With Strangers", performing a spine tingling vocal on the very beautiful "C'Est La Vie."
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