AN ABANDONED ORCHID HOUSE

What we have here is the debut album from Sussex-based singer-songwriter Talitha Rise. She provides vocals, guitars, keys and more, which were complimented by collaborator Martyn Barker (Shriekback, Robert Plant, Marianne Faithful, Billy Bragg) with both his drumming and multi-instrumental skills. The album also includes guest appearances, including Juldeh Camara (Robert Plant/Justin Adams/Real World - Gambian Riti), Peter Yates (Fields of the Nephilim - guitars) Arnulf Linder (KT Tunstall, Ed Harcourt - cello) and Rory McFarlane (Katie Melua - bass). Award winning songwriter Kathryn Williams provided most of the lyrics for "Valley" while songwriter Nick Webb (vocals, keys) collaborated on "Bloodfox".

What captures the listener from the first note to the very last are the wonderful vocals, which are always front and centre, with some reverb to add a little depth and emotion. The music is ethereal, a beauty that at times appears to be at risk of melting away altogether if the listener concentrates too hard on what is going on. Reminiscent at times of Talis Kimberley, at others of Suzanne Vega, Rise has a very pure sounding voice, one that hasn't been tarnished by modern pop music. Here we have a proper musician, singing wonderfully poignant songs, in a way that will affect anyone lucky enough to hear the album. It really is a thing of beauty, with depths that need discovery and close attention. It is the sort of album that one puts on the player and the world just drifts away, as if what is happening in reality actually doesn't matter anymore.

The arrangements are such so that there is enough going on to pique the listener and want them to spend time unravelling it all, but always at the top of the mix is that wonderful voice, intimate and personal, as if Talitha and the listener are the only people in the world. This is quite some album.

Jo Beth Young, the driving force behind this, her debut album, is about to embark on a rare tour of UK and Ireland, through October and November. If like me, you missed out on seeing any equally rare live performance by Kate Bush, you have a chance to make some amends to your musical soul by getting a ticket for one of Jo Beth's special shows. Her musical style sits in the gap between Kate Bush and Stevie Nicks, yet she has very much her own sound. The shows promise to bring an original format, too, with storytelling and a joint venture with fellow folk artist Serious Child. Affordably priced tickets are available via jobethyoung.com. Catch the show if you can at one of her carefully selected, amazing venues, such as Hedingham Castle!

So, to this debut album, a collaboration with Martyn Barker, bringing about the Talitha Rise group name. Debut albums are notoriously experimental and toe-in-the-water efforts, very often shown up by the second or third albums, as the artist gets to grip with how to really turn it on. Then the debut appears dull in comparison, but some artists get it right first time. My favourite debut by any artist is The Kick Inside, especially considering Kate Bush wrote some of the songs at the piano before she even took her O-levels. For me, An Abandoned Orchid House flies out of the blocks with the same gusto, beauty and musical intelligence.

Martyn Barker brings an eastern flavour to the mixes with his guitar playing and his contribution to the album must be acknowledged. His percussion, too, is perfect for the songs, so credit where credit is due. It is Jo Beth out front with her voice that is the star attraction here, though.

My ticker name on PA gives away the fact that I am biased towards this artist. I rate some albums in my 400 cd collection higher than this one for overall enjoyment, but I have to award this album with 5 stars under the PA rating system because I consider it essential in its unique style and sound. You will not hear other vocals quite like Jo Beth Young's and I am a massive fan of the emotive quality, on a par with Peter Gabriel for moving this one particular listener. Music is Marmite. You either get it or you do not, yet always remember with both food and music, there is such a thing as acquired taste. I love that quality of truly progressive music, where familiarity breeds context and joy.

Across this album, guitar, piano and violin accompany quavering vocals, the sympathetic vibrations cleanse and soothe my nervous system. What else would one expect from a songwriter who once trained as an Energy Healer? She sees music as a healing art and sings accordingly. The careful selection of other artists playing string pieces has been mixed to perfection throughout, with a french horn in there, too. It is that reaching out for the unusual yet apt that propels the music towards its progressive qualities, eg. the African one-string fiddle known as a Riti or Nyanyero on Incantation.

Each of the 10 tracks on An Abandoned Orchid House carries melodies that were captured spontaneously, on the ear while out in nature, rather than technically planned as compositions on keyboard or strings. Then, the technicalities follow by instrument and mixing desk to add depth and colour, with many nuances and layering of sounds and reverb. I guess many artists have worked this way; I know Elgar did while out on the Malvern Hills, riding his Royal Sunbeam bicycle he called Mr Phoebus. I love the results of this fluid method of songwriting, following the flow of what feels good as nature inspires the imagination and the muses within find a fitting melody.

I will just add that if you do not like the opening track, this album is not going to be your cup of tea. It opens the set in a beautiful style that runs like a theme throughout. The album ends on a stunner, too. If you like Kate Bush's The Man with the Child in his Eyes, you should give this album a listen or two or three... (rating: High 5s)