DAPHNE'S FLIGHT (Fledgling Records Five 005)
If someone were to push me on what was my favourite independent label I would have to say Fledgling - I have loved everything that has come out on the label, but I had difficulty with this one.
Daphne's Flight are Julie Matthews, Chris While, Christine Collister, Helen Watson and Melanie Harrold.
The turbines spluttered, the prop juddered but for me Daphne's Flight never really got off the ground.
The album has it's moments - there is some fine harmony singing, but with the exception of Helen Watson's excellent 'Shake Down Your Silver' I found most of the material too lightweight.
Potentially classic songs like 'The Letter', based on a letter home from a 23 year old soldier, killed in action in 1917, were marred by a somewhat overwraught delivery which sometimes teetered on the brink of stylised pomposity.
I can't help wondering that if this is rooted in any tradition it is the tradition of mainstream contemporary songwriting - it was all a bit too lightweight for me.
If you listen to Radio Two regularly you'll probably love it.
(Andy Hemsley)