the new album is available here as a download and on beautiful white vinyl. It’s in the shops too, in all good Brighton record shops and Sister Ray and Rough Trade in London. Mark Cunliffe is also featuring it on his show on Dandelion Radio this month.
Some lovely reviews too:
Lianne Hall can boast an impressive list of accomplishments: running the Brighton venue West Hill Hall, recording with Paul Hartnoll (of Orbital fame) for his new solo album, plus the recording of a duet with The Cure’s Robert Smith. After listening to this album she can definitely go ahead and proudly add ‘Crossing Wires’ to her list.
What’s more, she had the John Peel seal of approval when he described her as “one of the great English voices”. At the risk of understating all of these achievements, they all add up to make a CV that ain’t too shabby.
Hall’s first album in 4 years combines an interesting balance of accoustica, electronica and even a bit of trombone. If this doesn’t intrigue you then you and I, my friend, are on two very different musical pages.
Continuing her list of accomplishments, Hall can add: knocking folk into the 21st century with a charming effortlessness whilst retaining the integrity of the genre. She has done this almost single-handedly; playing and recording most of ‘Crossing Wires’ herself – she’s even releasing the album on her own label: Malinki Records.
The sincerity in Hall’s lyrics remains constant; this sincerity ties the album together and makes it feel personal. Put across with a voice to rival Joni Mitchell, it’s hard to ignore Hall’s discernible talent.
In case you haven’t picked up on it, I’d like to make this clear: I love it.
By Emily Anderton
DIESHELLSUITDIE
10/10
When the late great John Peel has described someone as “One of the great English Voices” you have to presume it’s something special. Can you imagine the heart & riot grrrl soul of Kimya Dawson with a stunning, heart wrenching singing voice & astonishing originality? Don’t even try. Just click the link at the bottom of this review & buy the record. Read more…
RUTH BARNES, THE OTHER WOMAN RADIO
Lianne Hall is someone who I feel immensely embarrassed about. How could I not have come across her before? John Peel was a huge fan and she performed a ton of sessions for his Radio 1 show with Pico. Lianne is one of those artists who makes TOW feel very good about what we do. She should by rights, be huge! But as with all women who make music like Lianne, outside of the manstream, outside of a particular marketing box, they will forever be outsiders. However, with the ground swell of bloggers and websites supporting not only women artists but all the great specialist music makers out there – there is hope! With the demise of any radio (Save 6 Music!) or TV platforms for them we just have to hope for the best. The interent will prevail! Right, rant over. Lianne has a fantastic voice (Brighton’s own Nina Nastasia at times, and described by Peel as ‘one of the great English voices’) and writes frankly awesome tunes. Her new album Crossing Wires is out on Malinki Records soon – BUY IT.
5/5
I like this record. I think she has a great collection of songs with a voice so strong and true. She recorded/played most of this album herself and has released it on her own label. The name of the album comes from how many wires she had to cross while recording it. Class! The songs are extra brilliant when she sings, I almost hear violins. My favourite songs so far are the second song “Telephone in a Foreign City” which discusses the ethics of squatting, and the hauntingly brilliant “Cry Wolf”. (not an A-Ha cover….) I don’t know what this songs about though as the lyrics are quite oblique. All-in-all an emotional, heartfelt disc that is served up on the thickest whitest(?) vinyl. Shine a light!!!!
THE BRIGHTON SOURCE
There are many artists ploughing the various folk furrows at the moment, and its definition dilutes with every new emergence. Lianne Hall takes its earthy essence and peppers it with a surprisingly appropriate melange of disparate backings, from crunchy electronica beats and grungy guitars to jazz piano. Her vocal is the consistent standout asset throughout however, once described by the late John Peel as “one of the great English voices”. This is an outstanding piece of work and comes highly recommended.