This Is Me

This Is Me

I look in the mirror but I do not recognise the person staring back at me

Sunken eyes, the colour faded, dried lips, cracked and sore

Cheek bones protruding where once there was flesh, pale and pasty like a piece of unbaked dough

My head an odd egg shape no longer covered in layers of pretty auburn hair

My ribs on show for all to see, as easy to count as one, two, three

My arms black and blue, dented and bruised – wounded soldiers in this war on me

My stomach, which was once, deemed to big, now a saggy mess of unwanted flesh

My shoulders droop under the weight of stress, my legs barely support me they are so frail and thin

My wedding ring adorns a stand on the dresser, a reminder of all that I have lost

My heart is broken into two, loss and grief ripping at its very being

My wardrobe once full of elegant dresses and the finest of suits replaced now with standard issue grey tracksuits and comfy fitting jumpers

High heels buried at the back, not much need for those any more

Photos of the life I once had thrown into a box on the floor – I cannot look at the painful reminders, the wounds cut too deeply

Once I was happy and madly in love, I had a full life ahead of me with a man who offered me the world on a plate

He promised before friends and family to love me in sickness and in health, to take the good times a long with the bad

When the doctors told me I was ill he stood there in shock, literally frozen to the spot

As my world came crashing down around me I didn’t think things could get any worse

I tried to be bright and pretend things were ok, smiled in all the right places and kept my chin up

The doctors said my diagnosis wasn’t a death sentence things had come along way

Drugs and determination were the key to beating this evil thing that had invaded my body and destroyed all the good in me

The questions were endless, the appointments tiresome

I guess something had to give!

I had to resign from my job, give my carer prospects up, life was permanently on hold

For a few months he stood by me watching me fall apart

He walked around like a robot saying and doing all of the right things but the love we once shared in abundance just wasn’t there

One day he was my husband the next just a man in a faded photo smiling without a care

I have seen the statistics; there is a good chance I will beat this cancer

I touch the glass, my haunted reflection – this is me, there is still life in me yet

A Pilots War

A Pilots War

We sit in a small room playing cards, reading a well thumbed book or pondering fruitlessly over a crossword puzzle, each with our own mixed emotions

A ringing phone shattering the silence, we all run to our planes – scramble is the fancy name

A synchronised dance of men in flying suits

Chairs fall to the floor as we leave, card games half finished, drinks left untouched

Some names on the board never to be seen again

They count us out with cheers of good luck and see you soon

We are up and away in minutes

No time to waste

Like tiny ants we march across the sky

For some this will be their very last outing

Its all down to the roll of the dice, no one is beyond death

Alone in our cockpits we don’t have time to think just to react

Cold and isolated the cockpit of a Spitfire or Hurricane feels like a lonely home

Guns fire lighting up the night sky – it’s a strategic game of cat and mouse

Hunt or be hunted

We throw our planes this way and that, diving away from falling debris, all the time praying we are not hit

Sometimes you get separated from the crowd

A blanket of darkness washes over you, disorientates you until you go mad with fear

Concentration is vital, watch the dials or face certain death

It’s what we have trained for, our destiny

For some the training is so brief it’s a wonder they get off of the ground at all

Brave men risking everything for their country, serving the men and women left behind

The cruelty of war is all around – crashed planes, burnt out with no chance of escape, buildings reduced to piles of smouldering rubble

Innocent men, women and children displaced, grieving loved ones, praying for a swift end to the endless bombing

The fear of what else is to come grips the nation

As countries capitulate we fight on with our heads held high

Adrenaline kicks in and we act like robots, automatic responses drilled into our minds

We aren’t special; we aren’t heroes’ just ordinary folk doing a job that needs to be done

For many to fly a plane was just a distant boyhood dream now here we are up in the sky

Defending our country for all it is worth

We go up at all times of the day or night, always praying for good weather conditions

Fighting the enemy is one thing to have to fight the weather as well is a frustrating hazard we could well do without

Our lives are expendable it is the bigger picture that matters

We do not serve to get medals, to get recognition, to get our photos in the paper

We do not crave adulation from the wider public – how can you celebrate killing a fellow human being for that is what we have done?

Our greatest goal is to live, to see our families again, our children

To watch them grow up in a country they are proud to call home

Many of us are barely men at all; we haven’t tasted but a tiny drip of life

We haven’t proposed marriage to a girl, bought our own house – all that is but a dream waiting to come true

Our friends and colleagues die, picked off one by one

Some only last a day, hours even

A lost plane, brutal injuries that result in death, burns that scar a mans body for life

Men who parachute out of a dying plane only to be shot at and killed by the enemy

Some parachute too late and crash land into the world below, others drown when they are forced to bale out over the sea

We look for our missing men when time allows but often there is no trace, it is as if the earth has swallowed them whole, taken them some place where no further harm can come to them

Names written on a chalk board so easily rubbed out, replaced and rubbed out again

We cannot allow ourselves to grieve or we would never get out of bed

So many have gone leaving behind broken families and heartbroken friends

A new name, a new fresh face replaces them eager to do their bit for the cause

They cannot replace the men we have lost no matter how many jokes we share with them, no matter how many tales we tell them

We come back in to land battered and bruised – mentally as well as physically exhausted

A few are missing; some we saw meet their maker others vanished into the night sky never to be heard of again

The men on the ground patch up our wounded planes as best they can – working miracles all hours of the day and night, maybe they are the silent heroes of this merciless war?

We count up our achievements, say a silent prayer for those lost and head off for a stiff drink or a well earned sleep

Many sleep fitfully as nightmares creep in

In a few hours maybe less we will be doing this all again, the bombardment is endless as is our urge to win

We are but a few, an army of men pulled from every corner of the globe fighting with everything we have to obliterate an unwelcome foe

We cannot dwell on our achievements as for every enemy plane shot down a man has most probably died or at least been wounded

He is a man with family and friends just like us, just like us he is doing a job

One day roles into another, then another – the faces change but the objective always remains the same

Other songs by Tamsin Quin

Scared is a new song by Tamsin. This is a lyrically strong song that will resonate with many people. Catchy and upbeat this song focuses on Tamsin’s vocals, which are raw and unpolished. With a great acoustic sound this song is just perfect lyrically and vocally.

Falling is a gorgeous folk song with a strong indie sound. Tamsin’s vocals are powerful and engaging on this quite anthemic song. Tamsin’s vocals are never over shadowed by instrumentation allowing listeners to get the most out of her wonderful vocals. A really striking song that stands out because it is so good.

Wait And See is a fast paced folk/acoustic song with echoes of KT Tunstall in Tamsin’s high class vocals. Here again Tamsin’s vocals are the highlight of the song. Although polished her vocals still sound raw and unrestricted. Tamsin gives each songs she sings a character of their own. They take on their own identity, which allows them to stand on their own as individual things of greatness and beauty.

Tangled Up In Love is a catchy folk song infused with a bluesy/roots sound. This song is quite soulful and Tamsin’s vocals belay this with a rich velvety sound throughout the chorus of the song. The remainder of the song shows off Tamsin’s raw uncut vocals. A real mixed bag of sounds and genres this song is interesting and quite captivating. It is a real shame when this song comes to an end as you want to hear more, much more.

Tired Hands is a lovely folk song brought to life by Tamsin’s earthy vocals. Once again quite raw in sound Tamsin’s vocals give this song plenty of depth and character. 

Tamsin Quin - Where My Footprints Will Stay EP

A heady mix of folk and acoustic music finished off with a dash of blues and some intense and impassioned vocals

Tamsin Quin is a hugely talented singer/songwriter from the South West of England. Tamsin’s songs combine raw exuberance with quirky lyrics and heartfelt words. Her songs portray a natural talent for putting real life down in words. A heady mix of folk and acoustic styles Tamsin’s vocals are refreshing and distinctive. Her vibrant personality comes across in all that she sings as does her passion for life and all that it throws at her. Her songs are personal, like browsing through a young girl’s journal, but it is that personal touch that makes her music so great and worth listening to. Tamsin’s EP offers listeners a glimpse into the word of Tamsin Quin and all the talent she has to offer. One listen just won’t be enough as this collection of six songs is truly addictive on the ear! Bow And Arrow opens the EP with a bang. A catchy chorus and wonderful vocals along with an intoxicating mix of folk and pop give this song tremendous energy. Demons is a sophisticated folk song with a strong blues feel. Tamsin’s vocals are powerful, charming and full of character. There could easily be comparisons between Tamsin and the hugely successful folk singer Kate Rusby. Their vocals belay some similarities but Tamsin’s bluesy overtones give her songs a new depth. Tamsin effortlessly tells a story through her changes of tempo and obvious enthusiasm for the songs that she sings. Work Is Not Life is a slow raw song; with hardly any instrumentation allowing Tamsin’s naturally gifted vocals to shine. The pace of the song picks up slightly towards the end then sinks back to its original slow pace. A lovely transition! Backwards is a wonderful acoustic folk song with heavy emphasis on vocals. Stripped right back Tamsin’s vocals show confidence and passion. Filled with emotion this song is of the highest quality throughout. Homelands is a wonderful folk song with a strong acoustic sound. A slow song full of angst and filled with poetic lyrics that are so succinct. Been So Long ends the EP on a wonderfully bluesy note. Tamsin’s vocals are so intense on this rather soulful final song. Once again this song is lyrically strong. This is a charming collection of songs all of a very high standard and brought to life by Tamsin’s effortless and genuinely amazing vocals.

Dirt Road Angels CD

Dirt Road Angels

Dirt Road Angels

Pump Records DRA01

*****

Five talented female singer-songwriters showcase their music on one amazing album

Dirt Road Angels is a project that sees five hugely talented female Canadian singer-songwriters come together on one album. Each of the five artists performs three tracks showcasing their diverse musical interests and styles.  With a wealth of experience in the music industry these artists are definitely a force to be reckoned with. All of the songs featured are originals.  The overall feel of the album is country but country mixed with other genres. The mixed album is kick started with three songs by Shawna Lynne who is more of a traditional modern country singer. Shawna has performed all over Canada and has opened for many top country acts. Kick Down The Door is a high octane fast tempo song. Shawna’s vocals are strong and easy on the ear. This song is catchy and has some lovely instrumentation, which only serves to enhance the quality of the song. The Dancing Queen is a much slower offering with delicate vocals. Written by Larry Wayne Clark, Shelly Rann and Marc Rosa this is a charming song with heartfelt lyrics. Shawna puts a lot of emotion into the vocals. An outstanding track! I Wish I Was A Train really showcases Shawna’s traditional country sound. Once again delightful vocals make this song a joy to listen to.  Karen Claypool is the second artist to be featured on the CD. Karen’s vocals are distinctive and really interesting. Karen’s music is more pop than country. Titanic was co-written with Rob Hewes and is a pop song with an easy listening sound. Done is a high quality song that really stands out. Lovely vocals, which are quite delicate – never overpowering. This song has a strong country/pop feel and is worthy of a high chart placing. Rewind has an edgy vibe, another strong offering from this talented young lady who sounds a cross between Taylor Swift and Suzanne Vega. Country/rock singer Dahlia Wakefield is the third singer-songwriter to be showcased. Dahlia’s vocals are strong and always entertaining. Unsatisfied is a powerful rocky country song. Dahlia sounds a little like Carrie Underwood on this extremely catchy high class modern country song. Beautiful illustrates how Dahlia can sing both rocky up-tempo songs with class and then swap easily to a delicate charming slow song with angelic vocals. Warming vocals and stripped back instrumentation make this song so delightful. All The Way To Heaven is a pop infused country song. This song is a glorious vocally driven song, a perfect example of what a strong modern country song should sound like! Shila Marie grew up influenced by the music of top selling artists like Dolly Parton and Shania Twain. Shila Marie has a distinctive vocal style. Her vocals are raw and unpolished. Whirlwind is edgy and blends modern country and pop together effortlessly. Her vocals engage the listener because they sound fresh and natural. Love Can’t Be Denied is a slow moody country song. Once again it is the vocals that stand out and give the song depth and character. A delicate emotive song co-written by Shila Marie this is perhaps the main highlight of the whole album. Truly beautiful this song captures the heart and brings a tear to the eye. Be There is a heavier song with a modern country feel to it. All three of Shila Marie’s songs are outstanding and so unique mainly due to her classy vocals. Danita is the final artist on this rather impressive album. All five artists deserve their place on the CD as they all bring something new and interesting to the world of music. Danita is known for combining rock with country to create an edgy upbeat sound. Ripped Jeans is a powerful rock infused country song. Leaning more towards rock than country this song needs to be played with the volume turned up high. Danita has strong powerful vocals that are never consumed by the blasting instrumentation. Co-written by Danita it is worth paying attention to the lyrics of this song as quite a story unfolds throughout the course of the song. Not everyone’s cup of tea, this song is not for the faint hearted. Rare Bird is Danita’s second offering and a pleasant one at that. In complete contrast to Ripped Jeans this is a slow offering with an interesting sound. Worthy of more than one airing. I Did It For Love brings the album to a close. Although there are fifteen songs on the album time seems to fly and the ending comes all too soon. I Did It For Love is a crazy, heavy rock/country song. A really punchy song to end the album on. All in all it is obvious that all five of these ladies are really talented in their respective fields of music. There are so many stand out songs on this album and much praise can be heaped on each individual singer-songwriter. A very worthy project this album will hopefully encourage music fans to look out for further albums by all five of the featured artists in the months to come. 

Brittany McLamb EP Review

Brittany McLamb has just released her self-titled debut EP featuring seven tracks which blend together modern country and pop. Hailing from Salemburg, North Carolina Brittany currently calls Nashville, Tennessee home. The EP kicks off with All The Little Pieces a modern country song in the style of Faith Hill. Brittany’s vocals are highly polished and chart worthy. This is a wonderful opening offering highlighting Brittany’s talents as a country singer. This is more country than pop and has a subtle deepness that only becomes evident upon the second or third listen. Summer Rain is an up tempo country/pop song, again leaning more on country than pop. Brittany’s vocals are cheery and easy on the ear making this song a pleasure to listen to. Knockin’ On Your Heart is a classy modern country song in the style of early Taylor Swift. Brittany seems to have quite a striking vocal ability. Her vocals are stylish and have something quite charming about them that makes listeners want to listen to more than just one song. Mr Right sees the tempo slip a notch. This is another catchy modern country song. Here Brittany’s vocals are lighter and breezy. Back From Your Goodbye is a rockier country/pop song. Brittany’s vocals on this song seem to take on more of an edge. I Didn’t Think That is a slower country song. Once again Brittany’s vocals remind me of Faith Hill. House Of Cards brings the EP to a close. This is a live offering and shows a different side to Brittany’s musical and vocal style. This song has a much heavier rocky/country feel. The lyrics are strong and Brittany’s vocals are solid and confident. All in all this is a debut offering that highlights Brittany McLamb’s potential as a country/pop singer. The songs here are good and pleasurable to listen to. Brittany’s vocals show a great deal of maturity and power, which should serve her well for the future. 

Sarah Murray Song Review

Sarah Murray is an exciting and extremely talented singer/songwriter and producer from Cork, Ireland. Having performed with many bands over the years Sarah is now starting to emerge as a solo female performer. With two songs released so far Sarah is busy recording and writing new material. Sarah’s main passion in life is music and her dream is to release a full length solo album, a dream that is looking ever more like a reality with the attention she is currently picking up from the music industry. Sarah’s sound is an atmospheric one. Her vocals are strong and have a vivid character all of their own. Some might compare her sound to that of The Corrs. Although there are similarities Sarah’s music has a lot more depth, which is mostly down to her striking vocals. Sarah’s first two solo releases effortlessly blend pop and folk together throwing in a bit of rock for good measure.

Ferris Wheel is a really upbeat pop/folk song with strong lyrics written by Sarah. Definitely worthy of a high chart placing Ferris Wheel shows off Sarah’s unique vocal talents, which are spot on. This song has a real edge and plenty of angst. Its catchy beat gives this song a stand out feel. Sarah’s vocals are forceful but never over the top. A real joy to listen to this song is a must for fans of good quality pop/folk music. Sarah’s vocals have similar qualities to those of Andrea Corr and inevitable comparisons will be drawn between the two but Sarah for me is more a mix of Andrea Corr’s luscious harmonies and Dolores O’Riordan’s angst and power. The end result is something outstanding and really mesmerising.

Better Than This is quite breathtaking. Sarah’s vocals have a velvety quality about them on this gentle slightly airy pop/folk song. This song is both classy and atmospheric. Perfect for a hot summer’s day with its lingering instrumentation and Sarah's stunning vocals, which captivate and linger on long after the song has finished. This is anything but a bland run of the mill Irish pop/folk offering. Sarah’s performance on this song is strong and really engages the listener. Listening to Sarah’s rendition of this self-penned song you can feel yourself drifting off to an intimate bar or café and watching Sarah perform this song for the small crowd gathered around her. Her music is that good! 

Website - http://www.sarahmurraymusic.com/sarahmurraymusic.com/Sarah_Murray_Music.html