Reviews
Artist:Michele Stodart Album: Invitation
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 8
Website: https://michele-stodart.bandcamp.com/
I've been lucky enough to see Michele Stodart perform live several times this year. I've see her perform solo, with The Magic Numbers, as a sidesman for another musician and as part of a songwriter's circle. In all guises she is an impressive musician and singer, but it's the latter of that list really opens up her latest album, "Invitation".
One of the first things that I noticed about "Invitation" is that it's a songwriter's album. The songs are recorded in a very pure form, often Michele and one or two instruments, production is light to give the songs as much space as possible to set their story, to find their wings. There isn't a song on the album that you feel could find it's self a different habitat to roost in, be it a full band, or even fully orchestrated to being stripped back even further to just voice and guitar being played for pleasure in the corner of a room.
It's something that's hinted at on the cover of the album, the crow is a shape shifter, sometimes deceitful, sometimes there to impart wisdom, something that can slip into a background or dominate a room, I don't think it's a coincidence.
Stodart, is very much an artist with her own voice and style, but occasionally, such as on the opening number you feel she's channelling a bit of Joni and then on "These Bones", a touch of Etta James.
"Invitation" is an album that it's difficult to find fault, for me the only sin Michele is guilty off is not leaving enough space between tracks as the next song often kicks in whilst the final chords from the previous cut are still lingering in your soul.
There is much to relate to in this album, whilst the stories are very much Stodart, they tweek the strings of universal themes and allow you to overlay a few memories of your own, giving each song a personal touch and giving the opportunity to get something different from it for yourself.
"Invitation" is about giving the permission to step into the bits of Stodart's world that she's prepared to show. This is not a hearts on sleeve album, it's a getting under the skin album and Michele Stodart has done it so well
Neil King
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