Promotional material, by its nature, shouldn’t always be taken too literally. So, when I read promotional material for Clementine Lovell’s debut album, Westbound, comparing her voice to Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, and Sandy Denny, I didn’t take it too seriously. Then I listened to the album and from the opening track, I understood exactly why such comparisons would be made. With its impressive range, expressiveness and emotional intensity, Clementine has a voice is that really does stand apart from the crowd. She has worked in opera, and her voice does have operatic qualities, but this it not folk music delivered in a classical setting. This is a true folk album from a singer with a strong attachment to her material.
Clementine’s childhood was split between England and Ireland, leaving her rooted in the music of both countries. This is reflected on Westbound, which consists of her own compositions – narrative and personal, often telling stories of her family and friends – along with atmospheric versions of traditional songs. As well as a singer, Clementine is also an accomplished accordion player. She is joined here by members of the Clementine Lovell Trio – Carmen Ruiz on percussion and Duncan Menzies on fiddle and banjo – as well as an impressive cast of guest artists. Notables from the folk world featured here include Tom Leary (Feast of Fiddles), Robbie K. Jones (Track Dogs), Ric Sanders, P. J. Wright, and Vo Fletcher. Marion Fleetwood is also involved as the album’s producer, as well as playing violin, viola, and cello. All of this makes Westbound a debut with exciting potential, and I’m pleased to report that it doesn’t disappoint.
The album has a powerful opening, with an atmospheric version of the traditional song, ‘The Cuckoo.’ This is one of those songs where the verses don’t always fit well together, usually starting with a verse about a cuckoo before continuing about false love and deceit. Then again, a cuckoo practices deceit, so that could be the logic to it. It stars with Clementine’s voice over a haunting accordion drone, singing an opening verse that she has added to the song. The tune for this verse is her own and the lyrics are taken from another song that she found in the library at Halsway Manor and contains similar sentiments – “Come all you fair maidens, wherever you maybe, Don’t hang your poor hearts on the sycamore tree.” For the original verses that follow, Clementine has written a descending accordion riff, evoking a bird in flight. The track concludes with a powerful accordion and fiddle version of a traditional Swedish tune, curiously titled ‘The Convulsion Song.’
In contrast to the powerful and haunting opening track, ‘Land Army Girl’ is a sweet, gentle song about the early life of two of Clementine’s grandparents. One of them was the land army girl of the title, the other a farmer’s son and they overcame initial opposition from his family to marry. This is followed by ‘Sister,’ which tells of how Clementine and her sister became mothers to each other after their mum’s death. This poignant track is well served by a simple arrangement with Duncan Menzies’ banjo playing in a prominent role.
‘Sparrow’ has a very medieval feel, with simple percussion from Carmen Ruiz Vicente adding a haunting touch. The lyrics tell of Clementine’s struggle to maintain identity and find space for creativity amid the beautiful but sometimes overwhelming challenges of motherhood. Looking at nature, she envies the freedom of the birds and animals, but would never leave:
For a little turtle dove,
Builds a nest and keeps it warm,
Spreads her wings and keeps her babies
Sheltered from the storm.
This is a great track; personal, poetic and beautifully performed.
The mood changes for ‘Cottontail Hunting.’ This deliberately cheerful song was written for a friend who was going through a tough time and reminds him of happy times hunting rabbits with Clementine’s brother Tobias. The tune has a strong Americana feel, helped by Tobias contributing a harmonica introduction as well as P. J. Wright’s slide guitar.
‘Time to Let You Go’ has a melancholy but gentle tune, with a Celtic feel. The song returns to the loss of Clementine’s mum, and the poignant lyrics deal with the difficult process of moving on from grief: “I’ll always feel you in my heart, But now it’s time to let you go.” The track features some nice guitar playing, including a short solo, by Vo Fletcher.
Another atmospheric rendering of a traditional song follows. This time it’s ‘Turtle Dove,’ a song of love and separation. The arrangement is simple for the first verse but gains power and a rocky feel in the remaining two verses, driven by powerful guitar playing by P. J. Wright. A very impressive arrangement.
So far, Westbound has been essentially English, but we now move to West Cork, where Clementine spent childhood summers. It was there that she fell in love with Irish music, while going to local pub sessions, and ‘John Barnett’ was written for a great character from that time. This uplifting song was first performed at a celebration of John’s life, and the singalong quality successfully evokes a joyful pub session.
The mood changes on ‘Here for A Moment,’ which opens with Clementine’s emotionally powerful voice over an accordion drone. The lyrics take us back again to summers in West Cork, but this time they tell of a boating tragedy, in which four friends set off on a fishing trip and only one returned. The main theme is the uncertainty and fragility of life, in which we never know when tragedy might strike; “Oh how were they to know, they were all to go, We’re only here for a moment then we’re gone.”
The album concludes with the title track, written after Clementine had driven through a storm while travelling to West Cork to visit her dad. At the time, grief was still raw after losing her mum but being together brought comfort to them both. ‘Westbound’ has a beautifully lilting tune, helped by Ric Sanders’ fiddle, and once again the lyrics are deeply personal and very poignant; “And you don’t have to say a word, you know I understand, I know it’s hard sometimes to find your way back to dry land.”
You’ve probably realised by now, that I enjoyed Westbound. Clementine is a real talent, and this is a very accomplished debut. Her compositions and arrangements are impressive, and her poetic lyrics have real emotional impact. And of course, there is her voice but, I’ve already said plenty about that. Anyone who loves folk music, traditional and new, should find lots to enjoy on Westbound. Having listened to it, I’m hoping that we’ll be hearing much more from Clementine Lovell.
Graham Brown
Artist’s website: www.clementinelovell.com
‘Land Army Girl’ – live:
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