Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
When lost in a dusty sandstorm and the sudden appearance of crystal clear waters present themselves, the only honourable and right thing to do is to drink heartily and toast good fortune, for the opportunity to do so again once you have left the oasis might be the longest of times and the throat could boil in the process. Similarly when the sound of musician and the tools of her trade offer the kind of experience where each note is beautifully captured, but not at the expense of a silk like voice that shows that joy and pleasure can be set free to enjoy its natural free slowing state, the only possible thing to do is breathe deeply and listen; for the opportunity to listen to such a refined voice might be a long time coming.
The call of freedom is what drives Sheffield’s Kirsty Bromley’s beautiful debut album, Time Ashore, it takes the wheel, allows for a safe journey and then without a second’s hesitation it puts the accelerator down and lets the voice of Ms. Bromley soar, it caress the clouds and cuts through with kindness the feathers of any passing albatros silly enough to not understand the dominant force of nature that Time Ashore provides.
The heady mixture of own compositions, traditional and the couple of expressive covers, the very different ports and the strange customs, that make up the album are complemented by the various musicians who add so much to the seismic beauty but who never once overpower the main point of the experience, the natural voice of a woman comfortable with her time.
With Simon Dumpleton, Beth Porter, Sarah Smout and Lucy Wise in the vast array of wonderful musicians supporting Ms. Bromley, tracks such as the brilliant opener Caught Up On A Breeze, Sweet Nightingale, Time Ashore, English Ground, the heartbreaking All Who Wander and the fine finish in Joni Mitchell’s Circle Game all giving the kind of response one could only dream of, Time Ashore more than prepares the ground for an album that refreshes and offers so much with asking very little in return except for peace, calm and tranquillity in which to shine.
A very beautiful album by a woman who understands that the greatest asset is a voice that is primed and able to break hearts throughout.
Kirsty Bromley will be performing at the Nordic Church in Liverpool on Sunday 13th September.
Ian D. Hall