Listening to Kathryn Williams and Neill McColl is like lying on your back outside on a sunny day, watching the clouds go by. The music is so tranquil that I couldn’t concentrate on the work I was trying to do – and instead, gave up and am now writing this review.

Their new album, ‘Two’ is out in March 2008, but I’m lucky to have it early and am happy to tell the world about it. The harmonies and musicianship throughout ‘Two’ is superb – it’s the most hypnotic and relaxing music that I’ve heard in a long time. Kathryn’s voice is gentle, and seems to float in amongst the chords of the acoustic guitar.

‘Two’ is a generous album, with 13 songs, most of them co-written by Kathryn and Neill. It was recorded in an intimate setting, and the album was unbelievably written, recorded and mixed in just over two weeks.

Opening track, “6am Corner” features Neill’s subtle vocal harmonies – just enough to add ‘a little color’ to Kathyrn’s lead. The instrumentation is tight – albeit at times the melody reminds me of the Beatles’ “Let It Be”, but only briefly. On the quaint “Innocent When You Dream” (Tom Waits), Neill and Kathryn harmonize throughout, and apparently, the song was recorded in just one take.

“Come With Me” is the first single release off of ‘Two’. The lyrics are enchanting, and the song as a whole draws me in with each note. Like some sort of spell is being cast. A brilliant choice for the first release.

“Frame” is one of my favorites, a clever song, and is the one song on the album that makes me think, “Joni Mitchell”. Maybe it’s Kathryn’s vocal phrasing, or the lyrics that include, “look at that painting on a hotel wall, seen by lonely eyes. Don’t go into hotels lookin’ for dreams, don’t go into them with thoughts of your life” – either way, it’s a stand out track. I love the story – very touching and unique.

The rustic feel of “Armchair” could be a number straight out of Gram Parson’s repertoire. Perfect around a campfire at night – and surprisingly includes a particular swear word. Excellent!

Kathryn Williams and Neill McColl’s album, ‘Two’ is highly recommended, to be consumed in it’s entirety. One of my favorite albums of the year.

Read more about Kathryn Williams and Neill McColl on Band Weblogs.

Kathryn Williams and Neill McColl Official Website

By: Jenny May – BandWeblogs.com

Kathryn Williams & Neill MacColl release “Come With Me” as a first single from their forthcoming ‘Two’ album on 25th February, 2008. “Come With Me” is a spine-tingling, intimate and beguiling song where two people “taken by the tide way out to sea, past the friends that we used to be”, spend the night wondering if they should go further.

Kathryn and Neill first met at the Daughters of Albion concert (part of the BBC’s Folk Britannia season) where they had been paired to perform “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”, a song which Neill’s father, Ewan MacColl, wrote for his mother, Peggy Seeger. “We just clicked, we didn’t need to say anything on stage, we could read where the other was going” recalls Kathryn; “within a few hours of first saying ‘hello’ to each other, we were saying ‘yeah, lets get together and make a record’ … which was both strange and kind of liberating.”

The pair have announced a special ‘iTunes Live’ show to take place at Air Studios on Friday 22nd February.

Prior to this show they’ll play warm-up shows in the Orkneys and Highlands:

February 2008

7th Inverness, Eden Court
8th Stornaway, Woodlands Centre
9th Ullapool, The Ceildh Place

The album ‘Two’ is released through Caw on 3rd March, 2008.

As previously announced, a major UK tour follows.

Kathryn Williams & Neill MacColl March/April 2008 UK tour dates:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to their Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

16 March Sun BRIGHTON KOMEDIA
18 March Tue CARDIFF LEVEL 3, ST DAVIDS HALL
19 March Wed BURY THE MET
24 March Mon PERTH RED ROOMS @ PERTH THEATRE
25 March Tue EDINBURGH CABARET VOLTAIRE
26 March Wed GLASGOW CLASSIC GRAND
28 March Fri LONDON QEH
29 March Sat LEICESTER MUSICIAN
31 March Mon CHESTER TELFORDS
01 April Tue CARDIGAN THEATR MWLDAN
04 April Fri ABERYSTWYTH ARTS CENTRE
05 April Sat DURSLEY, GLOS PREMA ARTS CENTRE
06 April Sun WOLVES WULFRUN
08 April Tue NORWICH ARTS CENTRE
10 April Thu LEEDS CITY VARITIES
11 April Fri GATESHEAD SAGE
12 April Sat POCKLINGTON, YORKS ARTS CENTRE
13 April Sun BRISTOL ST GEORGES HALL
15 April Tue CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION
16 April Wed NOTTINGHAM RESCUE ROOMS
17 April Thu BEDFORD CIVIC THEATRE
19 April Sat MORCAMBE PLATFORM
27 April Sun BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY HALL*
13 May Tue BRIGHTON THE DOME (as part of Brighton Festival)*
* Newly added ‘Daughters Of Albion’ shows.

Watch: Kathryn Williams & Neill MacColl video

For more information, go to:

Kathryn Williams Official Website

Kathryn Williams & Neill MacColl Official Website