Review by Paul Sabin for MPM
Not only is Devon a beautiful place full of rolling hills, Tors and amazing beaches, but its also the home to a hotbed of musical talent.
Devon born and bred, singer, songwriter Sarah Yeo first trod the boards at a Pontins talent contest in Brixham and from there she was hooked.
Since then, music has been in her veins and that music is not limited to Country as she loves attending gigs which include Toto, Inglorious as well as the more mainstream Wildwood Kin and The Shires. Yeo has now released several EPs and a lockdown CD and now Yeo who has varied influences including the Eagles, Garth Brooks, Martina Mcbride, Gretchen Peters, Joni Mitchell to name a few has released a new 14 track album which was recorded at Devon’s Rapunzel Studios by George Arnold.
First track, `Nothing To Declare’ see Yeo take the classic American Country sound and make it her own. Brilliant slide guitar parts compliment her warm, crystalline vocal. `A Rainy Night In Glastonbury’ brings us back to Blighty as a moody violin and piano accompany Yeo’s guitar and vocal conjuring up images of a stormy evening in the famous festival town.
`Monterey Bay’ is beautiful track which highlights the haunting strength of Yeo voice which has more than a passing resemblance to that of the late Karen Carpenter. Superb piano and acoustic guitars underpin this wonderful song. `Its All Gone Now’ ventures into a more traditional folk style of song but is still given the Yeo spin making for a unique sound that captures the listener.
`Still Collecting Seashells’ picks up the pace and represents a more modern Country sound whilst remaining distinctly British. This track could so easily have been penned by The Shires. `Car Wash Crying’ is a tear jerker that is totally stateside bound.
`You Don’t Know It Now’ takes its social commentary that offers hope to others and sees some tasteful guitar riffs popping up between Yeo’s strong vocal tone. Slide guitars and a sweet vocal set the scene for `Next Year It’s Nashville’. The songwriting and arrangements found here are quite simply major league.
`It’s Your Town Now’ brings in a pop rock edge as upbeat drums and piano flurries pull this chirpy track along. `Waiting For You’ is a dramatic song oozing emotion from every note and phrase. Violins, tinkling piano and acoustic guitars build this into an epic, mighty song.
`Stow Away’ could be a sea shanty sung at Brixham Pirate festival but here, Yeo’s echoed voice makes this a Capela outing something really special. `Thank Your Lucky Stars’ is a jolly summer song that makes you glad to be alive.
A dreamy slide guitar announces the arrival of `Cold Sangria’ which talks of the familiar last night of the holiday blues. Last track, `Leap Of Fath (Just On A Feeling) has that Eagles vibe and is a real high point to end on.
Sarah Yeo has pulled some superb musicians together for this album. Combine that with her great ability to compose songs around subjects that everyone can relate to, arrange it beautifully and then add the cherry on top which is her soulful, warm voice which melts like a honey coating to finish things to perfection. No wonder the late Jim Marshall (of the Amplifier fame) cited her as his favourite singer!
The tracks are not all standard country fodder but mix things up nicely which makes for a very easy to listen to album. Don’t let this lady pass you by!
SARAH YEO www.sarahyeomusic.co.uk
