What a lovely, unexpected gem of an album! The Singing Tree is a stunning example of talent, patience and excellent musicianship. Layers of slide guitar and piano in a laidback style reminiscent of Tex, Don and Charlie with some echoes of Nick Cave’s ‘The Boatman’s Call’, especially on the opening track. Hard to categorise, it’s a collection of songs Tim calls ‘Country ‘n’ Eastern’, taking the listener on a journey from melancholy to optimism. It’s so easy these days for any person to write, record and distribute really mediocre material, but not this guy. Excellent production, great songs, beautiful packaging, and all artwork designed by the man himself.

Tim Hulsman will be performing in-store at Hawthorn on Friday 7 December at 6.30pm