Judy Dyble - Talking With Strangers (2009)

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Judy Dyble - Talking With Strangers (2009)

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Having returned to the music scene in 2004 after an absence of over 30 years, Judy Dyble has delivered her best album to date. Frequently overshadowed by her proximity to Sandy Denny in the history of Fairport Convention, the fragile clarity of Judy Dyble's vocals can be followed like some elusive ley line burrowing through sometimes tangential discographies that include progressive rock, folk, trance, electronica, ambient, indie pop, the Canterbury Scene, and post rock.

Though some of these elements are present on Talking With Strangers, any off-the-peg categorisation of the record isn't that easy. As someone with a track record of working with the only the best, Dyble proves she hasn't lost her touch by collaborating with No Man's Tim Bowness, who co-wrote, produced and performs throughout.

Drawing upon other musical spaces and times means that Bowness and multi-instrumentalist, Alistair Murphy, have subtly retro-fitted the material with just the right amount reference points to shape the mood but not swamp it with ersatz nostalgia.

More than once the album's lyrics look back on Dyble's life and times with the 19-minute Harpsong becoming something of an epic sentimental journey, and featuring guest spots from some players and personalities who were there with Dyble back in the 60s.

Thus Ian McDonald and Robert Fripp (King Crimson), Celia Humphris (Trees), Jacqui McShee (Pentangle) and Simon Nicol (Fairports) become part of a swirling chorus, echoing reminders of meetings in what were undoubtedly remarkable times.

What could have been an ill-advised stylistic disaster is instead a surprisingly sophisticated triumph.

Review by Sid Smith, BBC.co.uk

What a great album from a forgotten person in the annuls of rock and roll, Judy was 'Fairport Conventions' first female singer replaced by Sandy Denny, she took to a life as a relative reclusive, returning every now and then to make albums on her terms.

This album is probably a peak, the playing is as you would expect from a stellar collection of musicians (Robert Fripp, Tim Bowness, Ian Macdonald and more.) perfect. The collaboration with No-Man's Tim Bowness takes this album to another level. It opens with a light acoustic based track `Never knowing'.
`Jazzbirds' next which has a rising tension about it an air of the familiar but entirely enchanting and new. `Cest la vie' follows in a similar vein, before the title track `Talking with Strangers' takes us off in a piano based jaunt to new worlds. The albums tour de force though has to be the 19 minutes of `Harpsong' this goes off in tangents and rhymes almost prog rock maybe prog folk certainly outstanding.

This album is just too good to ignore, buy and you will not be disappointed.

Review by Fletch-a-sketch, Amazon.co.uk

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Judy Dyble - Talking With Strangers (2009)

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Judy Dyble - Talking With Strangers (2009)

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Judy Dyble - Talking With Strangers (2009)

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