WILDFLOWER

A post from Heather appeared in one of the groups I am a member of on Facebook, and the computer in my head started whirring and I immediately thought of a band I haven't listened to in years, Mostly Autumn. Originally signed to Cyclops, I reviewed the first three albums when they were released, but the last I had heard of theirs was the wonderful 'Passengers' from 2003. I was not aware that Heather had left the band after 13 years and eight studio albums to follow a solo career, nor that she had formed Mantra Vega and released albums in different group formats and styles, as well as books, poetry and art. What I did know, though, was that I always loved Heather's vocals and was intrigued to hear what she was doing more than 20 years after I last reviewed her.

I was soon playing 'Wildflower' and fell into a world where all that mattered was the voice, and the voice was all that mattered. This is mostly a true solo album, with Heather accompanying herself on acoustic guitar and occasional piano and percussion with just Troy Donockley (yes, I know he is in Nightwish, but for me he will always be the guy from Iona), providing a wonderfully emotional vocal and Portuguese Mandola to the lilting duet, "Still Burning". This is an acoustic album, containing a few elements of folk, quite a bit of Americana, a touch of Country and Western, and a ton of beauty. The album is bookended by Heather leaving a message on voicemail, welcoming us and reminding us we are all loved, and although there may be some who will not like this element, it works well to both bring us into the album and leave us with a positive message.

Positivity is a common element throughout this release, as while there are times when it wants us to think, it is never negative or mournful. This is particularly true of the last song, "Love Is All", which is a capella with just a few bird sounds to provide backing. It is uplifting, all-encompassing and incredibly powerful. It is if Heather is in a warm summer's glade, the birds in the trees, and we are sat entranced at her feet, caught in her spell. Although I have found myself enjoying this in the car, there is no doubt the best way to listen to this is on headphones when one has the time to immerse oneself in the world she is creating with her voice.

Having not heard any of Heather's releases in more than twenty years I can see from this that I have been missing out and will have to investigate her Bandcamp page further. For those to whom the name Heather Findlay is new I can assure you this is an album very much worth investigating. If you enjoy acoustic music with wonderful female vocals and lyrics with meaning, then this is simply essential.

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