Harpo's Ghost is a great listen (Harpo's Ghost - Thea Gilmore)

Member Name: Lakerfanster

Product:	Harpo's Ghost - Thea Gilmore
Date:	08/11/08 (87 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great voice, music,, Personal lyrics

Disadvantages: Only 11 tracks???

**Introduction**

Thea Gilmore is one of the most prolific artists around at the moment. Aged just 28 she has already released eight studio albums and three EP's. She is one of the most highly acclaimed songwriters in the United Kingdom and has built herself quite a famous fanbase with her famous fans ranging from Joan Baez to Bruce Springsteen.

**Harpo's Ghost**

Harpo's Ghost is Thea Gilmore's seventh album and was released in 2006. It features songwriting credits from Thea of course and Mike Scott and her husband Nigel Stonier who also co produced the album. Harpo's Ghost takes her blend of sharp focused acoustic and folk music to a new level with this album which features sharper songs than some of her previous work.

1.) The Gambler

This album is off to a great start with this gentle track, it opens with a soft drum part and the gentle keyboards, her voice comes in and catches your attention with it's tonal quality. After a few minutes the song changes pace and the guitars come in with Thea's voice still sounding beautifully mellow.

2.) Everybody's Numb

This track really shows that she can do the uptempo tracks aswell as she can do the slower ones. Her sharp vocals add a great touch to this track as the catchy drum beat and bass hooks move along with the lyrics. Her close miked vocals shine through. A really good track which is a great live track.

3.) Red White And Black

This is one of the most stripped down tracks on the album, A lovely acoustic guitar led ballad which showcases her superb voice which drips with emotion. The perfect track to play for anyone who wants to know what Thea Gilmore's music is about.

4.) Call Me Your Darling

This is a catchy midtempo track with a nice beat and some nice hammond organ. This is one of the catchiest tracks on the album especially when the chorus kicks in. This is another great live track which gets the crowd toe tapping like I did when I saw her at Bloomsbury Theatre in London.

5.) We Built A Monster

This track opens with a catchy drum and electric guitar intro which moves into a melodic bass guitar hook and her superbly recorded vocals show the range in her voice as this track is an uptempo one with some nice guitar work from Nigel Stonier.

6.) The List

This opens with a warm acoustic guitar piece with her superbly recorded vocals. The way she moves through the verses is the best on the album and the overall track is superb. The bluesy slide guitar tones add a great laid back touch.

7.) Going Down

This opens with a catchy flicking guitar intro which leads into the gentle drumming. Whilst not quite up there with the best on the album it still has a nice feel and is by no means a bad track. It is Still very listenable.

8.) Whistle And Steam

This is a really good track which opens with very gentle guitars and a flicking sound. One of the best on the album but this track might take longer to get stuck in your head than some of the other tracks on the album, don't let that fool you as it is a gem.

9.) Cheap Tricks

The best uptempo track on the album with some fantastic drumming to open the album and then the track gets into full swing with the infectious chorus which is sharp yet melodic. A top top track.

10.) Contessa

Another fantastic track which has an acoustic guitar opening, then the tautest drum beat on the album comes in and then the track becomes a real toe tapper whilst still keeping Thea's gentle vocals to the fore. A superb track.

11.) Slow Journey II

A beautifully recorded stripped down track which features just acoustic guitar, strings, double bass and soft drumming. This track is more proof if you needed it of the emotive quality of her voice. An absolutely superb track.

**Overall**

Harpo's Ghost is one of her best albums and certainly one of the best albums released in 2006. It contains superbly emotive ballads and a few catchy uptempo tracks which show the range of her voice and her musical talent. She doesnt turn 29 until 25th November and she has already released eight albums, I can't wait for the ninth. She is touring at the moment so check her out if you can.

Summary: Great stuff.