*A Little Bird Told Me- REVIEWS...*
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Rock n Reel / R2 Magazine June 2009
A Little Bird Told Me is Derby-based singer songwriter, Julie Collings, second full-length disc and displays a maturity well beyond her tender 25 years. From the chirruping sound effects which introduce the title track the listener is lulled into a tender place, the sparse arrangements leaving plenty of room for Collings’ breathy vocal harmonies to envelop and enchant. Across the disc the songs range from bare acoustic guitar and voice to a light, acoustic pop mix which suits the songs perfectly. It’s all the more impressive when one realises that all were recorded by the singer herself in her own home studio; proof that “home made” needn’t be seen as a perjorative.
It’s no surprise that Collings quotes the likes of Joni Mitchell and Simon and Garfunkel as formative influences and these provide a general reference point for her writing style. But that’s not to suggest a derivative nature to the songs. There is poetic and thoughtful nature to the lyrics and she has clearly assimilated the lessons learned from presenting her songs to audiences around the acoustic circuit: each one displays a charmingly involving vulnerability. If a collection of the quality of A Little Bird Told Me represents Collings’ “difficult second album” then this bodes well for the future.
Trevor Raggatt
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Wears the trousers
***1/2
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"Collings is cut from the old cloth – she stands and delivers with a voice that is warm and dry, backing that up with obvious craft on the guitar."
"The title track and opener plays uneasy guitar off against crystalline birdsong to delicious effect, perfectly matched with lyrics of hope that verge on desperation (”Now show me something good / give me something good to show”). ‘Sticks & Stones’ introduces a bluesy twang to proceedings and provides what is probably the most pleasing moment of the record with a chorus that neatly syncs the words to the rhythm for a perfect gut-wrencher: “and we bend, break, stop, fix, move on”. It’s the kind of kinetic approach to songwriting that influence Suzanne Vega would no doubt appreciate."
"Indeed, Ms Vega’s influence is keenly felt across the album as a whole, particularly in the lyrics. Collings is of the same school of pared-down, introspective and self-aware songwriting"
"Collings isn’t one to spare the body blows, raining them down even on herself. It makes for painful, almost eviscerating listening at times and requires a level of commitment from the listener to make the journey. "
"Particularly welcome is Collings’s drive to stick to what she does best and work hard at it. A review of earlier release Flotsam urged her to add “a dash of fiddle, accordion, or cello”. It’s a great thing that she’s ignored this call to be more like her folky peers. Her strength in an oversaturated market is definitely her dedication to finely-crafted, introspective songwriting."
Scott Sinclair
http://wearsthetrousers.com/
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Fatea Records
"A Little Bird Told Me" sees Julie Collings maturing as a song writer. Her songs seem more assertive as though she's more at ease with her place in the world, happier in her own skin and happy to show more of herself in her songs. Consequently she's written a stronger album, lest whistful, a bit more grit and determination. It's an album that asks more questions. Why don't you fight back? How do you find the strength to move on? Can you really be that green? Why not take a bit of responsibility? The result is an album that moves Julie up a division.
*Flotsam Reviews...*
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The Guardian - Robin Denselow 2007 *** ....
Julie Collings is a DIY celebrity in the making. She is a 25-year-old singer-songwriter from Derby who was not only responsible for all the "instruments, voices and noises" on this impressively laid-back and thoughtful new set, but also recorded and produced it herself in her spare room. Her singing is light, breathy and personal, and she backs herself on a variety of instruments, dominated by acoustic guitar and a gentle wash of electronica. There's not a vast range in her work - most of the tracks are sad-edged and slow - but she is a confident and distinctive song-writer, as shown by the personal and reflective The Last Post, the drifting electronica of Don't, the easy pop charm of Simple Things, or the more gently gutsy, guitar-backed title track. It's a remarkable effort, considering the technical problems she must have faced, and she will now hopefully move out of that spare room to find more varied backing for her songs. A dash of fiddle, accordion or cello could work wonders.
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Rock n Reel Magazine of Flotsam......
"Julie Collings, a Derby-based singer-songwriter debuts with Flotsam, a gently beguiling collection of eleven originals where her atmospheric vocals, tumbling guitar lines and occasional effects push things in the direction of acoustic acid folk. Sporadically it does float off into the ether in its dreamy ambience but her stylish delivery manages to prevent disaster. .."
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Like I Belong to you- Review on Garageband.....
"Woven into the rivers that flow through southern america is a voice. As the river rushes, it gathers pieces of wood that resonate a beautiful and comfortable wave. The river calls the locals from each town it passes towards the banks to take in the shine of the cascading waters. As the water brushes against each rock and soil it weathers its existence and carves itself into the history of this fine planet.
This is a beautiful piece of music. Glorious vocals, music that pulls the heart and ear like the moon our seas. A+"
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Overplay.com......
"Melancholy but never maudlin, it's spellbinding stuff. . "
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Jo Overfield - Sundown......
"This is acoustic music at its most effective, with songs so exquisite they find a place inside your head to fit perfectly."
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BBC Radio 2 Janice Long...... " I think its lovely!"
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BBC Radio Derby Shane O' Connor.......
"Breathtaking!.......Light's up a room"
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BBC Derby Music...... "One of Derby's best kept secrets - a dreamy singer-songwriter who's been penning tunes since her early teens. Everyone's rumbling on about James Morrison being discovered in Derby but there's no way he's the last word in talent from this city.... Beautiful melodies, crystal clear voice, fantastic harmonies - and a worldly wisdom far beyond her 25 years. Taking in influences including Shawn Colvin and Suzanne Vega, Julie has a dreamy, melancholic sound that's earnt her a loyal following and superb live reputation."
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Rambles Folk & Roots Magazine......
"I’ve been eagerly awaiting this woman’s debut album for some time now, just like you did when you were a kid waiting for the sweetshop man to get the new jar of cola cubes. Julie Collings is from Derby, she writes songs and plays the guitar. She works in a drum shop. She likes cinnamon flavoured chewing gum. BBC Radio 2’s Janice Long played her on her show recently. I saw Julie live last year and her songs were as crisp as they sound recorded, I was impressed. But can she make a good first album?
The answer is yes and ‘good’ just isn’t enough of a description so I’ll continue. I’m really glad that Julie has decided to incorporate other sounds and instruments into her classic acoustic style. It makes for a very haunting, dreamlike quality. ‘All Else’ is the hello track, it’s electronica personified and works brilliantly with her voice, one of my favourites. ‘Side Eye’ is like a seesaw of sounds, it kicks off then vastly moves into a mellow place but I think this has a great hook, really reminds me of Juliana Hatfield. ‘Flotsam’ is taken from the demo and having seen this live, it’s a testament to Julie’s voice. It’s funny, listening to this album; it has a very otherworldly texture making Julie’s material seem timeless. ‘The Last Post’ is very poignant, awesome use of falsetto; it’s lovely if I can get away with using such a Grandma term. I was looking forward to the ‘Simple Things’ track, also from the demo, this has top radio potential and I could totally imagine a string quartet behind it in the bridge. This was the song that made me think that Julie can and will make it, plus it made me book her for an event I run. The album finishes with the ghostly ‘Follow You’, sounding gospel in parts and quite hypnotic. Altogether an experimental venture into the mind of Julie’s music, Flotsam is poetic, moving, soulful and all recorded in her spare room. While the rest of us keep boxes for Ebay in ours."
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LIVE review from Girls Rock - 2007/ Blush Bar, London
First up was Julie Collings whose dreamy voice held the crowd in rapt attention from the first note to the last strum, the front row sitting on the floor in order to better appreciate the show. Her opening song Side Eye already sounds like a staple for any self-respecting girl's cd collection (her album Flotsam's out now) and the moody version of one of my personal favourites, Blue Moon, really made me smile. Not so much torch song as a smouldering trip up the river. Among the other skillfully penned offerings – one of which appears on the soundtrack of soon-to-be-released film Tomorrow Is Today – she threw in a surprisingly different take on the Police's Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.
Her lightness of touch belies a depth of musical talent. She's supporting Horse on the Hebden Bridge leg of her UK tour, and despite this, the bums on floor and the acoustic guitar vibe, her performance was a far cry from a throwback to seventies folk stylings. She's got a contemporary edginess and is just very, very good.
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