Night Visiting: reviews

This must be amongst the most promising and interesting debut albums in a long time.

Bella is a singer/fiddler from Derbyshire. Still in her early twenties, she has been involved with folk and traditional song for ten years and she sounds as though she is ready for her first album.

There is much to admire in a fine unaccompanied "Molly Vaughan" and a punchy "Searching For Lambs" in a rolling 5/4 time.

Bella also shows herself to be an effective songwriter in the well-constructed "Alone, Jane", her intelligent commentary on "Jane Eyre".

She works with a number of other accompanists but seems to be most compatible with the harp of Corrina Hewat and the fiddle and melodeon of the Askew sisters.

It is still possible to hear the influences of some of the folk scene's major female singers in some of her performances, but there is no doubt that Bella is carving unique and identifiable approach to her music. This is certainly a name to watch.

« Return