I wasn't sure what heading to put this under, but since she's using technology to its absolute best advantage, I thought that would do. But I'm about to rave and rave and rave, so it probably should have been "Review". ;)

I stumbled across this AMAZING Scottish singer last night. Her style is not "Celtic" at all--she's classified as pop, but I wouldn't necessarily put her there. Anyway, this song, though very modern and gritty--more soul/R&B than anything, IMHO--almost sounds like it could have been inspired by a Child ballad.

Well my heart knows me better than I know myself
So I'm gonna let it do all the talking.
I came across a place in the middle of nowhere
With a big black horse and a cherry tree.

I felt a little fear, upon my back
I said don't look back, just keep on walking.
When the big black horse that looked this way,
Said hey lady, will you marry me?


Anyway, I was totally drawn to the song from the start--great vocals, the kind of guitar strumming that gets you right in the gut, and great acoustic percussion. Upon further searching, I found a video of her performing live on Conan O'Brien. She was all by her lonesome with a guitar, a tambourine, and an effects pedal, which she used to first set up and digitally sample (while still maintaining the integrity of the song) percussive muted strumming, hand-clapping, and (!!!) two-part harmony with herself. She then proceeded to strum and sing the hell out of the song. Both Conan and I were blown away. ;)

So, I simply had to share this. Here are the links to both the live performance and the music video (which is about as sexy and stylish as they come--she gets to play ALL the instruments! :))

Live performance (Conan O'Brien)

Music video

Enjoy! (Sorry about the lack of folk content. I figured the comment about Child ballads would get me off the hook. ;)

Molly