A sparkling, delightful, charming, polished and witty self-released debut by the Dublin-based French-American singer and guitarist who mixes folk, country, jazz, blues, French chanson and Appalachian with crisply performed covers and originals. Basha’s clarity of voice and diction has some of the quality of Dory Previn with its own wit and mischief, and some occasional inflections that remind of the upper register and turns of phrase and pace of Fiona Apple. The a cappella Love Is Teasin’ is an intimate, confident opener, a song first recorded by Jean Ritchie and covered by Shirley Collins on her 1958 debut. Another fine cover, later on, is the traditional ballad Three Little Babes (with nyckelharpa player Aina Tulier and singer Anna Mieke, with whom she sings in three-part-harmony group Rufous Nightjar). But the album gets into full swing earlier with her originals, such as title track, then Worried, a slow, bluesy number that flits suddenly and skilfully in and out of jaunty piano-led sections to capture mood swings when overthinking a relationship and being obsessed over desire. The album itself is very much inspired by travelling, and Traveling Shoes is more about leaving a lover behind, with agile, witty turns of phrase such as “don’t expect me to be there in morning … my travelling shoes will have already left with my feet … I laughed out loud because I think you’re hilarious, but I laugh at burnt toast.” Same Swallows Swooping is a beauty, and another standout is the country style Dublin Street Corners. A fabulously mature, timeless debut of delicious songwriting and performance, promising a wonderful career ahead. Independent release.
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