 Working Girl (Beautiful Enough Records BERCD002) |
I suppose you could count all the staff at camp (and no, I don’t mean camp in that way!) folking.com firm fans of Madeline Milla and I’ve just added myself to the list. On the strength of this second album she should be a serious contender for an appearance on Jools Holland’s Later. Categorising (an easy way of saying if you like that, you’ll like this) Madeline settles comfortably into the shoes of Tori Amos and even Kate Bush and Suzanne Vega spring to mind. Her smokey, almost lazy late night vocal with keyboard accompaniment joined by Simon Shaw’s guitars, Russell Field (drums), Lynda Murray’s throaty saxophone and Erica Wilson’s double bass are never overused adding just enough to an already rich tapestry of melodies. Indeed the musical content is so good; it could stand on its own as a work of art. On the title track, she moves seamlessly into Beverley Craven mode with a straightforward lyric that speaks volumes for her profession as a mis-read musician – in fact, it should be an anthem for all of us trying to make it in this business. Why some major record company hasn’t discovered Madeline will remain a mystery to me and I’m sure it will to her as well – she deserves better – maybe she’ll get it. Only time will tell. This is a lady who deserves all the accolades a fickle music scene can throw at her so I hope Mr Holland reads this review. |