Sue Quigley has the sort of voice that careers are built on: it is strong, rich and distinctive and she uses it masterfully. At times she'll hold a note until your breastbone resonates; at others, she'll back off from the mic and draw you in to her private world - absolutely captivating singing. "Outside In" is her debut full-length cd and features eight songs that explore the emotional life in oblique but heartfelt terms; personally I found a lot of her metaphors and references didn't quite click for me:
"But you're saving something - for someone else/ Someone who'll run and not let you catch up/ Safe enough to be where you left them."
Perhaps the meaning teases itself out eventually, perhaps it's just me and all this seems perfectly direct to another listener.
That quibble aside, however, there is so much to enjoy and treasure on this album, moments in songs that touch an emotional chord and make it quiver. Produced with admirable simplicity and clarity by Joe Reineke with Sue Quigley, it's the guitar playing that shines almost as brightly as that voice. Sue Quigley's own playing on acoustic guitar is very atmospheric, whilst David Wall on electric guitar brings a controlled intensity to his supporting role that adds a whole extra palette of colour.
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With John Mills on bass and Roy Adler on drums capable of building a huge backdrop of sound, this is music that at its best you can lose yourself in. You may find yourself completely drawn in, lost in a maelstrom of emotional intensity: very highly recommended.
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