Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
In times past, as way of introduction, people would travel between kingdoms to future employers, or to non-family members to whom they were hoping to visit so they could perhaps take advantage of seeing for themselves the structure and architecture of the area, letters of introduction vouching for their fidelity, their trustworthiness, the fact that who they were could not be questioned because someone else took time to paint a picture of their past deeds and their personal achievements.
It is a picture transferred, certainly in music, that has come to have the label of greatest hits attached to it, the chance for the new listener to be introduced to the work of an artist without, in some cases, being over burdened by the past; the expectation has become one in the modern age as akin to dipping in out of the conscious of the artist and being able to cherry pick the deed without taking the responsibility of examining in depth the overall contribution to society.
Rather than looking at such a release as a package of greatest hits, perhaps we should be looking at the moment as the chance to unravel the enigma that we arguably may have missed the first time round, to embrace the mania and love of others and seek knowledge for ourselves, of in part being able to understand the retrospective to which they are part.
An introduction from Anna Elizabeth Laube’s back catalogue is explored in the recording of Annamania, tracks that are hand-picked from Outta My Head, Pool All The Love * Pool All The Knowledge, Anna Laube and Tree, but also of the future, as one new track gives a sizeable indication of what to expect from this generous and talented artist.
The introduction is swift, but assuring, comfortable, passionate, but one that leaves you wanting to feel the aural scent of beauty again, to continue unabated, and as tracks such as the opener Sweet Boy From Minnesota, All My Runnin, If You Build It, Hippie Boyfriend, the insightfulness of the cover of Tom Petty’s Time To Move On, the magnificence of Please Let It Rain In California Tonight, and the brand new song of Jardim da Estrela, the multi-talented artist, songwriter and engineer takes you gently on a journey of discovery that you wish you had been introduced to earlier in your life; such is the effect of love when held in the right hands and soul.
An intimate portrayal of the woman in her rightful place as an artist of esteem, Annamania is powerful, serene, complex, crafted and balanced, as introductions go, it might as well be considered to have been written by the finest of learned minds.
Anna Elizabeth Laube’s Annamania is out now.
Ian D. Hall