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Deborah Conway & Willy ZygierSummertown Independent/MGM Deborah Conway's seventh studio album is, by her own admission, perhaps her most accessible. 'Summertown' is a gentle and soulful series of songs that returns to simpler songcraft than previous ventures (such as 1997's 'My Third Husband') which took detours through fey experimentalism and the eschewing of regular instruments. 'Summertown' is also Conway's most independent release thus far. Free of record company and manager Conway and partner Willy Zygier set up in her parents' front room when they went on a cruise, dropping the kids off at school each day and recording, squatter style. Early gems include Any Fool, with it's cascading melodies and rollicking chorus, and the fantastic Sunday Morning, an up-and-at-'em energic track with brilliant "oooh la la la la la" back ups from mate Toni Collette. It is a prime example of the album's summery, sparkling sound, with delicate instrumentation from Zygier finely balancing Conway's voice, which has opportunities to strongly lead a ruckus, as in Sunday Morning, or subtly weave and follow through the strings of Shannon Birchall's arrangement in the wonderful Something's Right; a gorgeously soft, yet substantial ballad; perhaps a little too sweet for these sour days. Paul Kelly duets perfectly on another stand out track, the upbeat and infectious It Doesn't Work That Way. With lyrics revealing a DIY gender dilemma (the flipside of the Ikea dream of suburban perfection) it reminds us of Conway's considerable wit and skill as a lyricist. Summertown won't arrest your ears on the first listen; it is rather more gently persuasive.  |
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