Lisa Lambe: Hiding Away | Album Review

Hiding Away
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Artist: Lisa Lambe
Genre: Country
Label: Self-released

Dublin singer and actor Lisa Lambe takes few risks with her debut album, but Hiding Away is, nonetheless, a measured, classy collection of Nashville-infused country-folk that's just a little too understated for its own good. Lambe, apart from her work on the Dublin stage in Ross O'Carroll Kelly productions, is a former pillar of Celtic Woman and, as such, she's no ingenue. Yet any real sense of life's vicissitudes is lost in the rosy glow of sweet love that dominates these 14 tracks. A better balance of material would have worked in her favour. That said, Lambe's bright, warm, supple voice has just a touch of grain, and she is obviously at home in country-folk. Producer Gavin Murphy gives everything a real sheen, the playing is top-notch and the songs, including a couple from Paul Brady, grow in stature with repeated listening.