The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #109694   Message #2297853
Posted By: GUEST,Jake Boyman
26-Mar-08 - 06:32 AM
Thread Name: Wendy Arrowsmith: The Blacksmith Review?
Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: The Blacksmith Review?
When I'm reviewing I seldom use words like 'superb' and 'stunning' as these are very hard to quantify. Reviews are, largely, one person's opinion and it can be quite difficult to be objective.

Wendy gives a fine performance of The Blacksmith although I don't think Myspace TV does her justice. Her voice is in a 'sensible' register for such a song. Many female (and some male) folk singers do do not do enough 'homework' when it comes to pitching, thus leading to the stereotypical, squeaky-voiced warblers heard up and down the country. Ten out of ten Wendy.

It's also nice to hear a sensitive guitar accompaniment in a world of three chord strummers.

All in all I think Wendy Arrowsmith will build herself a nice little following at club level. In these days of folk 'superstars' (Kate Rusby, Show of Hands, Karine Polwart) it can often be difficult to break with 'floor-singer' tradition as the standards set by aforementioned folk gods is very high. Wendy has a chance of rising above the singaround circuit (not that there's anything wrong with that) and getting her music out there.

Jake Boyman (psyeudonym)

note. I have also seen Wendy live so my review is not based entirely on the video