Wild Medicine
Hearts Connect, 2024
9/10
The English singer/songwriter and harpist Hattie Webb brings her inimitable talents to these 15 songs that recruit the help of Roscoe Beck, David Grissom, Ron Blair, Stephen Barber, Patrick Leonard, and Paul Kelly, among others.
The gorgeous and expressive singing of the title track opens with much beauty present alongside the harmonic textures that include Webb’s soothing harp, and “Ruined In The Rain” follows with thumping drums and well timed strings that suit the rich delivery.
Closer to the middle, the twinkling strings of “Shakespeare’s Shores” lands in lullaby territory, while the more rockin’ “A Song Called Love” comes with plenty of warm, rootsy spirit via Beck’s bass and Grissom’s electric guitar.
Deeper still, “You’ll Accompany Me” is bare moment of sublime intimacy that’s touching and welcomes Joel Guzman’s accordion, and “Chapters Of Love” exits with much care, as Leonard’s sparse keys and synth suit Webb’s pretty voice.
The sophomore solo album from an artist who was half of The Webb Sisters, Webb knows her way around a harp, and balances louder moments with plenty of calm introspection.
Travels well with: Anna Tivel- Living Thing; Dawn Landes- Row