Genuinely timeless, this is an astonishing release that I cannot recommend to you highly enough.
Originally titled 'Woman Overboard', this has been a body of work created through pain and sadness by Judie Tzuke, and one that offers a deep insight into her troubled life, ongoing ill health and her continuing search for personal completion. Once referred to as "alone in a field of one", Tzuke maintains her unique and beautiful musical journey with that endlessly astonishing voice and music that defies lazy categorisations with consummate ease.
Ever the eternal waif, Tzuke's lyrics haunt you as she draws you in, holds you and captivates you throughout every second of this glorious (and extremely overdue) twentieth studio album (I think it is anyway). It's a gentle, charming and intimate journey showcasing a wonderful array of styles, and if there is such a thing as "natural justice" then this release should make her massive. Of course, she should have been massive as far back as 1978, so maybe she is simply destined to remain a gloriously cult secret (as such). The wider world's loss, of course, is our precious gain.
There are so many highlights... the superbly atmospheric 'Woman Overboard' opens the album in melancholic and sombre style, all sparse piano and haunting vocals, it's sadly beautiful. 'Love Is Not Enough' is lilting and fragile, almost a distant cousin of 'Dog Rose', as Tzuke's voice soars effortlessly atop almost Flamenco-like guitars and delicate percussion. 'So' could be put amongst The Cure's finer dreamy Pop moments, the guitars particularly, while 'Enjoy The Ride' has a gently funky feel, elegant and cool, it's pure Tzuke through and through.
As soon as 'Gold' kicked in, I found myself thinking of early Dire Straits, it's stunning Soft Rock with perfect melodies and lovely vocal harmonies. The title track is almost quirky in a Kate Bush kind of way, yet fragile and bewitching as well. 'Blue Chair' and 'Hurt In Your Heart' are pure classic Judie Tzuke that could easily have come from her late seventies period.
Genuinely timeless, this is an astonishing release that I cannot recommend to you highly enough! You need this!
Chris O'Connor
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