Songs Lost & Stolen – The Irish World
One of the darlings of the UK folk scene, Bella Hardy proves her credentials yet again with new album, ‘Songs Lost & Stolen’…
Songs Lost & Stolen’ is the third album release from the acclaimed Derbyshire-based folk singer – her first for Navigator Records. With a total of twelve songs all written by Hardy herself, the album combines the traditional styles and ballad forms that have always been central to her work with an added gift for poetry and for Angela Carter-inspired twisted tales!
Hardy’s songs touch on the fantastical, storytelling elements of Kate Bush as well as the lovelorn song-writing craft of Carole King. Her subject matter is just as wide-reaching; from fairytales to working-class history via childhood nostalgia, myths, murder and the human condition – the spectrum is wide, yes.
Produced by Mattie Foulds, a member of the critically acclaimed The Burns Unit alongside names such as King Creosote, Emma Polock and Karine Polwart, the album has a lush, textured sound, aided by former Kate Rusby & Eddi Reader guitarist Anna Massie, Perthshire fiddle prodigy Patsy Reid, Lau’s Kris Drever (lis- ten out for some stunning slide guitar and backing vocals), Ju- liard graduate Su-a-Lee on cello and musical saw, no less, and long-time collaborators Corinna Hewat on harp and Chris Sherburn on concertina.
Still coming through clear and captivating, however, is Hardy’s hypnotic voice as she spins her stories with an equal balance of strength and sensitivity. Songs Lost & Stolen is an ambitious step forward from a folk singer who with each album stamps her unique sound in a different way.
