This I believe is Bonham’s fourth album and marks her move
to US label, Spectra Records. Recorded in Chichester, England and Nashville,
USA, mixed by Mike Poole, and co-produced by Glenn Skinner, it features twelve
tracks. They vary in vocal and musical style but most definitely veer towards a
late sixties, early seventies West Coast aesthetic.
The album opens with ‘Fly’, featuring mandolin, cello and
soaring vocals. However, I felt some unease with this opener and questioned
whether it should have been the introduction to the album. However, despite this, track two, ‘Painbirds’ blew me away.
An outstanding track and one that must be brilliant live. For the remainder of
the album one senses Debbie’s influences. The Eagles inform on ‘Take me Down’,
with its distinct ‘Take it Easy’ vibe and The Byrds possibly inspire ‘I Won’t
Let You Down’.
Of the others, ‘ Stop Now’ with its superb guitar playing
perfectly complements Bonham’s soulful voice and ‘Killing Fields’ with its strong rhythm and a rumbling bass line
further strengthens the album. ‘What it Feels’ sees special guest Robert Plant
throwing in a fine piece of blues harp and ‘I Need Love’ displaying Bonham’s
soulful voice at its best whilst the blues of ‘Good Times’ has some great
haunting slide guitar. Final track ‘Lay Me Down’ shows the Nashville influence
and is quite distinct from the earlier rockers yet it’s a fine ending to the
album.
Overall, an impressive album but I have to admit that it
took a lot of listening to reach that point. Apart from ‘Painbirds’ nothing
really struck me on the first few listens. I felt it patchy and lacking.
However, in the end, she won me over and I now look forward to seeing her live.
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