Whilst Beyond the Breaking Glass is a very different work from the visceral energy of Cover Plus or Breaking Glass, the laid-back Celtic influence adds a whole new dimension to her powerful songs and has promoted this album on very first listen to my all-time favourite chill-out CD (sorry Beth!).
The classic punk anthems Big Brother and Blackman work surprisingly well, with Hazel's astonishingly vibrant voice conveying more emotion now than the naked aggression of her early material. The Celtic road she is now travelling is most apparent in the impassioned Blackwater Side and the achingly beautiful Scamaill. The tribute to Hazel's late friend Rebecca is tenderly empathetic without ever being over sentimental. Still Breathing (that's the big audience participation one if you ever see her live!) is a gloriously uplifting anthem to life - carpe diem could be its subtitle. Driftwood is another highlight - an instantly memorable song with heavy autobiographical overtones. Her most famous song, Will You , is surely one of the most sensual songs about lovemaking ever written. But does it work without the classic sax solo? Of course it does! The haunting sound of Éamonn Galldubh on low whistle gives a beautiful ethereal quality to the fade-out and, believe me, Hazel's vocals have never sounded more sensual (live, Hazel does the instrumental bit on mouth-organ, giving the song a more gutsy, bluesy feel). Finally, the title track, an inspiring song about life's journey, will send you to bed with its memorable chorus stuck in you head.
Thanks for the music Haze (and for taking the time to chat with me!). Carry on like this and you won't go far wrong!
