MELTWATER GHOSTS – Stargazing (digital stream)

StargazingStargazing is the debut release from cosmic folk, americana and country group Meltwater Ghosts.  With songs written in shepherds’ huts and on black mountain sides, the album features acclaimed songwriters Rev Hammer and his lovely wife Sanchia Ryan.  They are wonderfully backed by Ian Jennings on double bass, Rupert McDonald on guitar and John Matthias on fiddle and string arrangements giving a beautiful rich sound. Topflight producer Tim Powell-Morris completes the team.  A wonderful musical history behind them all.

The album holds ten beautifully written and sung tracks each with a different tale.

Title track ‘Stargazing’ leads in giving Rev’s unmistakable vocals, a melodic foot tapper with beautiful harmonies from Sanchia.  Very descriptive lyrics too.  ‘Pendle Hill’ is a lovely melodic tale brought about from Sanchia’s childhood memories of her Grandad Jack putting on his walking boots and walking up ‘Pendle Hill’.  ‘History’ is a bluesy/americana featuring Sanchia’s stunning vocals.  ‘Deep Time’ completely knocked my socks off with the amazingly descriptive lyrics. A tale of deep love spanning time and space.  Of ‘two becoming one’ and ‘I knew you before’. ‘Held in amber so defined’ – awesome wonderfully deep lyrics pulling at the heart strings. Fabulous violin complements the lyrics and music.  Just wow!!

‘Hangman’s Moon’ features Sanchia.  A tale of seasons and love lost.  ‘Landslide’ is a funky rocky number. ‘Moonbeams’ is about being in a cold place and marching to the sun.  Moonbeams lighting up the path.  ‘Black Mountain’ is a slow bluesy track which really suits this band.  ‘Wingman’ is a Rev track another slow and bluesy number which is a typical Rev track.  I think this may be an audience participation number at live gigs!  Brilliant.  Last track ‘Cobblestones@ Is a very sad track.  Lyrics such as ‘broken bones over cobblestone stones, take me home’.   ‘Help me forget where I have been’.  Wow!

This is a superbly unique album that I will not get tired off.  Superb lyrics, music and vocals.

I so looking forward to hearing Meltwater Ghosts play it live.

Download your copy from Spotify or visit them on Facebook.

Jean Camp

Artists’ website www.facebook/meltwaterghosts

‘Hangman’s Moon’: