Abracadeborah and Good Companion Records

A sonic pilgrimage – a journey through sacred and poetic worlds.  Singer-songwriter Deborah Rose expresses her experiences and beliefs in music with new album, Atlas.  It might just be the best soundtrack to Christmas yet.

PLAUDITS FOR AN ANGELIC VOICE

Originally from Wales and mow resident in Ludlow, Shropshire, Deborah Rose has performed internationally throughout Europe, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Africa.  She’s toured with such legends as Judy Collins, Ralph McTell, Jimmy Webb, Fairport Convention and author/activist Marianne Williamson, who has twice run for US President.  What’s more, her angelic voice has won plaudits from such legends as Roberta Flack, Dan Cassidy – brother of Eva, Deborah’s ‘greatest inspiration’ – and Joan C herself.  Her Celtic-inspired music is emotive, ethereal and – most definitely – from the heart; a seamless blend of styles and influences which include pop, jazz and bluegrass.

Deborah released her debut album, Song Be My Soul, back in 2013 and she’s since released a couple of further albums – most recently, 2020’s offering, The Shining Pathway.  By my reckoning, Atlas will be Deborah’s fourth album and it once again showcases one of the most wonderful, heartwarming voices that you’re likely to hear anywhere, whilst taking things a step further – most notably by integrating world music influences into her sound.

A SONIC PILGRAMAGE

We’ve already enjoyed a taster of the treats in store on Atlas – the album’s title track was reviewed within these pages just a couple of weeks ago.  It took our breath away.  We noted back then that it would be impossible not to be moved and soothed by the beauty of that song and, if anything, our resolve has strengthened on that count, having had time for a prolonged sit-down with the parent album.

Yes: Atlas – the album – is now with us, and it’s everything we anticipated, and more.  Written and recorded between Ludlow, London, Nashville and Morocco, Atlas is a sonic pilgrimage; a journey through sacred and poetic worlds, described already as: “…a collection of songs inspired by poetry, Psalms, Pre-Raphealite art and the landscapes of North Africa, America and Deboraha’s native Shropshire.”  That’s a pretty comprehensive and accurate summary…

NASHVILLE, MARRAKECH AND THE CELTIC LANDS

It’s the title track that gets Atlas – the album – underway and, if anything, the song has matured since we gave it our first listen.  The song was written during a sojourn into Morocco’s Atlas Mountains and, fittingly, features the oud of Moroccan maestro Majid Bekkas.  Oud, guitar and mystical strings blend seamlessly to achieve a heady amalgam of Nashville and Marrakech and Deborah’s lyrics, which reference both the Islamic call to prayer and the Christian preparations for Christmas help cement that blending of cultures.  “The mountains in the Atlas are calling me back,” sings Deborah, as the song reaches its conclusion.

Written in Glasgow on the cusp of the pandemic, with input from Boo Hewerdine, the Celtic-flavoured Anam Cara was one of the of the first Altas songs to see light of day.  The Celtic feel is so strong that it’s easy to imagine Clannad tackling this song, but it doesn’t stop there – the Arabian influences expressed in the title track are still around.  Deborah’s voice is plaintive, pleading and vulnerable, the music simmers in the background, and the overall effect is, quite simply, delightful.

SO INTIMATE…

The bright, almost poppy, Rings Of Saturn emerged from a Mary Gauthier retreat that Deborah attended in Nashville.  Lyrics like: “I can’t count the rings of Saturn or the years of a Bonsai tree.  I can’t count the rings of fire that Johnny sang to me.  But I can count on you,” are warmly reassuring.  Deborah’s voice is as delicate as ever but there’s no doubting who’s sitting at the front, as the band play their sweet, sweet stuff.

The soft, gentle Night With Her Train of Stars was inspired by the 1912 pre-Raphaelite painting of the same name, by Edward Robert Hughes.  In fact, the song was commissioned by Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, to be played alongside the original watercolour.  Deborah’s voice is so intimate that it sounds as though the song is being performed especially for you.  The harmonies are angelic and the instrumental backing is discrete, yet sparkly.

CHRISTMAS NIGHT

Deborah is proud to declare her Christian beliefs and such declarations are made throughout Atlas.  For Christmas Night, she draws a parallel between her niece Ffion’s first Christmas and the Nativity.  It’s a ballad, with the piano – the principal accompanying instrument – enriched by mellow woodwind.  And Deborah conjures up beautiful Christmas images with lines like: “Your breath is warm and your feet are cold and your hands curl into mine.  I will hold you on this Christmas night, until the morning light comes in.”

PSALMS – INTERPRETTED

Deborah has received recognition on numerous occasions for her interpretations of the Psalms and several such interpretations are featured on Atlas.  For Under The Feathers Of Your Wings Deborah draws on the reassurances offered in Psalm 91, as she sings: “Under the feathers of your wings, you take me to a secret place, where no-one feels lost or is afraid.”  Accompanied by a thoughtfully-plucked guitar, Deborah’s promise of comfort and security intensifies as the music builds.  And we stick with the Psalms – Psalm 98 this time – for Sing a New Song.  Reflecting the words of the Psalm – with its references to trumpets, cornets and joyful noise – Deborah’s voice assumes a stridency that’s absent anywhere else on the album!

And we’re not finished with the Psalms, just yet, as Deborah superimposes the sentiment of Psalm 121 onto the Black Mountains of her Welsh home.  Folky at its heart, it’s another intimate, ethereal song.  The strings are pitched just right and the vocal harmonies evoke dreamlike and ecstatic emotions.

A STUNNING COVER VERSION

Acoustic guitar and outdoor sounds provide the soundtrack to Bright Field, Deborah’s homage to the work of Welsh poet, RS Thomas.  Lyrical references to turtle doves add to the pastoral feel, whilst shimmering strings lift the song to another level, without losing the rural idyll.

Atlas is an album that’s loaded with absorbing songs but, if I was pressed to choose my absolute favourite of the fare on offer, I would have to go for Deborah’s exquisite cover of the Emmylou Harris classic, Boulder to Birmingham.  A duet with New Yorker Kenny White, it’s a stunning version of a well-loved song.  Wonderfully restrained, with Kenny’s backing vocals adding just the right amount of grit to Deborah’s divine voice, it’s a true album highlight.

A NEW CHRISTMAS SOUNDTRACK?

Deborah references John 7:38 in her lyrics to Living Waters, a delightful a-cappella number with pristine echo-y harmonies.  But it’s Deborah’s voice that, once again, catches the listener’s attention as she reflects the tones of her inspiration, Eva Cassidy.

Atlas is brought to its close with Deborah’s reimagined version of the Christmas song, Mary, Did You Know?  Recorded ‘live’ at Jeremy Jameson’s Chapel Lawn Studio in Shropshire, it provides a fine conclusion to a fascinating album.  The band – including a selection of Greek and ancient instruments – shimmer and, on an album that features some of the sweetest, most heartwarming vocals that you’ll ever hear, Deborah tops the lot.

Have a listen to Atlas – you might just decide that it’s the best soundtrack that Christmas ever had.

Watch the official video to Atlas – the album’s title track – below:

Deborah Rose online: Official Website

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