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‘one of our finest singer/songwriters’ ‘It was also wonderful to discover why everyone thinks so highly of Lisa Redford. She was lovely…bright, enthusiastic and talented. She works incredibly hard and takes a hands-on role in all aspects of her career, from recording, pressing and releasing her own CD’s to booking her own tours. .. her second album ‘Lost Again’, contains a superb version of Neal Casal’s ‘Fell On Hard Times’…just voice and guitar. She exactly locates and expresses the plaintive emotion of the song.’ Bob Harris, writing about Lisa and her live Radio 2 session in Maverick Magazine Issue 56 Praise for Clouds with Silver ‘Excellent new album…a real step up in sound for Lisa, the quality and profile of the guests are guaranteed to raise her profile both here and the US, and this is an album that will bring her to an even wider audience.’ ‘a very strong and confident piece of work that deserves to be heard.’ Praise for Lost Again ‘a lovely album..I’m a big fan of Lost Again’ ‘Lost Again’ really delivers on the promise shown on her debut disc – memorable songs, strong vocals and sweet melodies combine to make an excellent album.’ ‘one of the most captivating records of its kind that I’ve received for review this year…while Lost Again is manifestly a continuation in terms of Lisa’s deeply felt yet recognisably smart songwriting, and its basic idiom remains exquisite melodic country-tinged acoustic pop, the album is definitely and consciously more “produced”, with significantly increased instrumentation and beautiful (and imaginative) arrangements to envelop Lisa’s trademark stunning voice and acoustic guitar and complement her reflective, heartfelt and emotionally-charged (without being overwrought) lyrics…the end result is heart-meltingly good…Play this rapturously good CD just once, and you’ll definitely want to get lost again (and again, and again…) in its charms, I just know it!’ ‘a well accomplished selection of songs which are personal, direct and easily accessible. Strong, distinct melodies give the tracks a sense of immediacy and are topped off by Lisa’s great voice and some excellent musical backing.’ ‘my pick of the crop has to be Lost Again – Lisa Redford. I personally would put Lisa in the same bracket as country/folk singers Iris Dement and Nanci Griffith. I will be very disappointed if we do not get to hear more from this lady with the super voice. And her talents do not just stop there, all tracks on this album, except for one, were written by Lisa Redford. If you like good music, this one is well worth a listen.’ Roy Heap, Pedal Steel Magazine ‘a wonderful cd’ East Magazine ‘this album is even better..an alt country-tinged set with zippy melodies and excellent playing all topped with Lisa’s effortlessly pure vocals.’ ‘it is that voice which is her crowning glory and sets her apart from her contemporaries. In a market awash with quality female singer/songwriters Lisa Redford is up there with the best.’ Classic Rock Society Read full review here ‘Lisa knows how to write songs that linger on longer than the length of the CD..she writes great melodies and lovely refrains.’ ‘it’s wonderful but I expected that of course’ Harmony Ridge Music, California, USA ‘there is no doubting the quality of writing and performance’ ‘a terrific record that I love a lot!’ ‘We love the Cd and have been playing it on the programs.’ Folkscene, USA ‘seems to confirm the good things I said about the debut album so it will be a pleasure to play them in my radio show here…the songs are even easier on the ear than it’s predecessor!’ ‘Lisa Redford has a good voice (Bob Harris thinks so too)..it’s fair to say they’re generally pretty melodic..overall this is actually quite promising’ ‘Concerning Lost Again, the album from the young British Lisa Redford, we have to be ‘Plain classy – roots and all..her ballady songs had an effortless feel, as if they bounced right out of her without her having to try.’
’With the onslaught of new singer-songwriters around being touted as the ‘new whoever‘, it’s easy to be sceptical about going out to see anyone new to the scene or up and coming. However, at Manchester’s Night n Day on a cold March night, singer-songwriter Lisa Redford held an audience totally captivated and cheering for more. Making her debut at the respected venue, Lisa, who usually plays solo or with the brilliant Alan Cook on pedal steel and dobro, was joined this time by James Youngjohns on violin from the lovely Manchester based band Anna Kashfi. Not a total newcomer either, Lisa has already released two highly acclaimed independent albums Slipstream and the latest, Lost Again, which was produced by ex Guthrie Gabriel Minnikin. Both albums have received airplay and praise on Bob Harris‘s Radio 2 shows and contain all original material written by Lisa as well as a stunning live cover of Neal Casal’s Fell on Hard Times which appears on Lost Again. Starting with the lilting melody of the catchy title track from the latest album, highlights in the set include the beautifully nostalgic Dragonfly with the combination of Lisa‘s finger picking and James‘ violin working especially well here, adding a moody and haunting quality. The song has already received much acclaim as it was featured on a Bob Harris ‘Best of British‘ special and it‘s easy to hear why. Lyrically, the song tells the story of a road trip and Lisa’s voice begins in a very low sultry tone during the verses before hitting an incredibly high falsetto in the uplifting chorus. Other highlights include a song from Slipstream, the wonderful heartbreak ballad Don’t Tell Me that really reveals the raw strength of Lisa’s powerful voice, and brand new song, the punchy Come Back Down, that has a very memorable hook. Lisa’s songs have a very classic feel, like she is carrying on that singer-songwriter lineage from the likes of Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young. However, the songs also possess a strong Americana influence that makes her own distinct sound. Her songs to me evoke a female Teddy Thompson or Josh Rouse, and the afore-mentioned Casal, she shares that same gift for writing deceptively simple, gorgeously melodic and well-crafted songs. Inbetween songs Lisa is charming, funny and very natural, as if she’s been performing forever. Like her American contemporaries Mindy Smith and Tift Merritt, she has bundles of charisma and stage presence, possessing that same ability to leave you spellbound by the emotion of her voice and onstage personality. Live, her voice really has immense power yet great control too and reminds me of the same heart worn tender vibrato of a young Emmylou Harris. Lisa’s voice is purer with a warm timbre, but has that same raw emotion in her voice that makes you feel she has lived through all the heartbreak she sings and writes about. Having already supported the likes of Chuck Prophet, Eileen Rose, The Deadstring Brothers, The Arlenes, and Peter Mulvey, Lisa is most definitely one to watch. Don’t miss her performing at festivals this summer or on her future supports to Jeff Black, Corb Lund and Gina Villalobos. Live Review from Manchester Night n Day March 23 2006 from Americana UK Praise for Slipstream ‘a beautiful debut album…a lovely songwriter with a great voice.’ Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2 ‘Slipstream is an amalgam of heartache, fervour and triumph, sung with authority and passion…In a sea of smart female singer-songwriters, Lisa Redford is an admiral.’ ‘Every so often a CD by an totally new, unknown artist comes along and just knocks you sideways. That happened for me last year when SLIPSTREAM, the debut album by Norwich-based singer-songwriter Lisa Redford, landed in my CD player.’ Read more extracts from Lisa’s interview in Maverick Magazine here ‘her long-awaited debut album, can best be described as heavenly…This album will grow and grow on you – buy it.’ ‘this is no clumsy pastiche of other people’s work, it’s a distinct and individual disc that more than stands up on its own as a strong collection of new material. This is possibly the best independent UK singer/songwriter disc we’ve heard over the past 5 years…Highly recommended.’ ‘Redford’s voice is clear and well-articulated…she demonstrates a mature songwriting style…This album should provide her with a platform on which to further build her reputation.’ ‘an absolute beauty…twelve gorgeous songs that make an instant impression. Simple, pure, mainly acoustic, it’s an album full of highs…highly recommended.’ East Life Magazine Read full review here ‘Redford never loses track of what she does best, which is create acoustic gems full of heart-felt emotion… captures Lisa’s ability to hold a listener’s attention with just her voice, words, and acoustic guitar.’ ‘(allows) the strength and sensitivity of Redford’s voice to come to the fore, a tool she interweaves with her gentle picking to maximum effect…Redford’s star will shine somewhat brighter on the wider acoustic scene in the near future.’ Folk and Roots Full review at www.folkandroots.co.uk ‘Quite simply she writes great songs which are the perfect vehicle for her stunningly beautiful voice…she’s right up there with the best of them.’ Classic Rock Society Read full review here ‘As a solo artist she exudes an angelic, almost ethereal charm; her agreeable, warm vocals simple and enticing, coupling delightfully with her palette of gentle acoustics…there’s a dedication at work beneath these dozen delightfully crafted songs that burns bright with commendable confidence.’ ‘An excellent debut-CD from an interesting Brittish artist. I long to hear her next release. If you haven´t heard her, then do!’ ‘delicate acoustic roots pop with heartfelt lyrics and a superb vocal..deserves to be bigger than Katie Melua!’ ‘a great album’ ‘This record showcases Lisa’s voice, one that could turn the bleakest Norfolk winter into a Bahamian paradise.’ Selected Press quotes ‘Sweetly angelic vocals and songs dealing with universal themes, this is a singer going places.’ East Life Magazine ‘A fine example of Lisa’s beautiful voice and songwriting talent.’ Review of Lisa’s song ‘Turn Away’ in The Event Magazine ‘An absolutely beautiful voice…her songs are simple and perfect and will be buzzing round your head for weeks after you hear them.’ BBC Radio ‘She has one of those voices that make you feel good when you listen to her… Her ability to carry a line on the acoustic guitar is first rate.’ Best Female Musicians, New York. Full review of promo CD Carolina Rain here ‘Acclaimed singer-songwriter Lisa has earned herself a reputation as a formidable talent. Don’t miss this star in the making.’ One Hundred Magazine ‘a wonderful voice’ Virgin Records ‘With an angelic voice and a shed load of talent this girl is going to go far..a born star..only a matter of time before she has world domination.’ The Biz ITV1 ‘continues to make huge waves with her sweet melancholy…a formidable talent and a star in the making.’ Norwich Arts Centre ‘Lisa Redford…conjures the kind of ethereal acoustic haze that links trip hop to folk in one seamless stroke.’ Monkey Suite ‘The brilliant Lisa Redford combines acoustic sensibilities, a unique melodic style and stunning vocals.’ Norfolk & Norwich Fringe Festival |
Lisa Redford
'one of our finest singer/songwriters' Bob Harris. Acoustic, Americana. Vocal coach, guitar/ ukulele tutor and workshop leader.
