Well, I finally got the album I'd been suspecting would be a highlight of 2002, and it's exceeded my already high expectations: Out Of Season by Beth Gibbons (her out of Portishead) and Rustin Man (Paul Webb, formerly bassist with Talk Talk). It's simply stunning, full of beautiful songs, spine-tingling singing, imaginative arrangements and a general air of quiet melancholy. The first song - Mysteries - is worth the price of admission on its own, and throws into an unfavourable light many more widely touted releases this year.
If you enjoy Portishead and/or Talk Talk (although it is essential Beth Gibbons's solo debut) you need this record. Anyone else give it a listen if you can, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Azeem, back in London after Xmas in Worcester, not far from a village called Wyre Piddle. Really. NP: Phoebe Snow - Never Letting Go (has she made a better album? I've got the self-titled one and Rock a Little, which aren't as good as this one)
