06 November 2009

Deborah Hodgson, St Marys Church, Brading

New Gem Of Folk Scene

Presence can be a ghostly substance that will not be pinned down but, whatever it is, in the dim light of St Mary's Church, Brading, Deborah Hodgson proved that she had it.

The singer retuned to the Island for the charity gig, having met with Island promoters Vaguely Sunny following her impressive performance at the Isle of Wight Festival earlier this year.

With Celtic good looks and a vulnerable, yet self-assured confidence, the small audience was captivated and attentive from the first note of her delicately crafted folk music.

Songs like 'Tigh Allain' - which is Celtic for beuatiful house - and 'The Littlest Birds' bear a striking resemblance to early Joan Baez or Joni Mitchell, both in terms of timbre and content.

'Free' and 'Let The Mystery Be' touched on more Americana and Nashville influences.

Later in the set her acompanying guitarist Frank Mooon switched to the unusual lute-like instrument, the oud. He provided a haunting and atmospheric passage over which Deborah sang 'Love Will Find A Way' a fitting end to a diverse, accomplished set of original songs which receceived a rapturous encore and a small collective of new fans.

Vaguely Sunny has unearthed and delivered yet another gem from the modern British folk scene.

Michael Champion