Reviewed by Paul Obrey

Sometimes I get surprised. Reviewing new music means that you have to make allowances - to listen and remember that some of these people are just starting out and on a journey in their musical experience. So you learn to expect imperfection, the occasional duff note, odd rhyme, or poor production. What surprises me about 'Chasing My Tail' is that Lisa Twydell is not a professional musician but a trainee psychologist. That she has not got many recordings under her belt, this being the second. That she hasn't got the valuable backing of a record company hasn't stopped this hugely talented singer/songwriter from producing a corker of an album. Lisa has a rich, pure voice that is as equally suited to quiet emotion as it is to the more aggressive rock on some of the tracks, and she takes the task with ease. The album does start deceptively with a couple of tracks that could be criticised as sounding slightly dated. But it very quickly settles down into a string of unapologetic and confident, but considerate and well-written songs to God, about God, and about life with or without him. A lot to listen to. The production must rank amongst the best I have heard for a long while and credit goes to Jonathon Newman for this. Lisa Twydell is an exceptional talent who deserves to be heard. If she had been born in the States then I envisage that she would have the record companies throwing their money at her. Fortunately for us Brits she is committed to gigging around the UK. Find out where she is playing and go see her in concert. And check out this CD.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.