This is an extremely good debut from Lucy Wise. Lucy’s parents are well known on the Australian folk scene and her father is a renowned instrument builder. She has relocated from the Margaret River region in Western Australian and is a welcome addition to the Melbourne acoustic scene.

Not only is Wise a really expressive singer, but she writes fantastic, memorable songs about the moments of beauty in everyday life, some of which draw upon her Margaret River heritage, like the homesick Have a Swim for Me. Lucy also plays guitar and ukelele – and her use of Appalachan dulcimer certainly brings to mind early Joni Mitchell. Lucy’s role in reviving interest in the local folk scene resembles Kate Rusby’s in the UK; she has a very bright future ahead. The B’Gollies add lots to the songs, with fully realised arrangements that feature Graham McLeod on guitar, Chris Stone on violin, Holly Downes on double bass and Mischa Herman on accordion.

Herman also recorded and mixed this very fine-sounding recording and has worked on recordings by some other promising bands, like the String Theory (also featuring Lucy Wise) and the String Contingent.

Paul Barr is from Readings Carlton