Katie Doherty is one of the young graduates from the Folk music degree in Newcastle; but unlike many of her contemporaries her album is a singer/songwriter disc that takes its inspiration from the tradition, rather than a traditional folk disc.
For a debut album this is a confident and accomplished piece of work, her vocals are clean and very easy to enjoy, and the quality of the songwriting is consistently high across the 11 tracks.
The folk degree brings artists into contact with some of the best young musicians in the country, on ‘Bridges’ her band includes the excellent Ian Stephenson (guitars) & Calum Stewart (flute & whistles), plus there’s an appearance from Kathryn Tickell.
While the instrumentation has a firm foot in the traditional camp, the album has a contemporary and fresh atmosphere; and like Rusby & Moray before her, she is bringing traditional inspired songs to a new audience.
The mixture of songs (9 self penned, 2 covers) is well balanced and varied, with highlights spread evenly over the 42 minutes – the title track is a fine song, that’s beautifully sung; Nancy Kerr’s ‘Port and Brandy’ is effortlessly smooth; and ‘Something Warmer’ has a melody that washes over the listener.
‘Bridges’ is a fine album and the most mature collection to come from a recent folk degree graduate – it certainly augurs well for the future, and Katie Doherty is certainly an artist to look out for. Highly recommended.
Track listing
1 Bridges
2 Beautiful Colour
3 Sing Softly
4 Lady Midas
5 Winter is Past
6 Snow Dove
7 Port & Brandy
8 Bonie Laddie
9 Listen
10 Something Warmer
11 Sitting on Top of the World
