Lovely review here from Dai Jefferies!

LINDA WATKINS – Butterfly In A Box (own label TAL0005) – Folking.com

Reviews – FATEA Magazine

Artist:Linda Watkins
Album: Butterfly In A Box
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 9

Linda Watkins, a Welsh singer songwriter now resident in England, has been active on her local folk scene and at festivals for many years. Album number 5 has just been released I was rather impressed with it. The tracks are both solo and accompanied by friends including Marion Fleetwood, Snake Davis, Jerome Davis, Brad Lang and Nick Holland. Although primarily a guitarist Linda also plays mandolin and bodhran, amongst other things so there’s lots of variety on display. Linda may be described broadly as a folk, or traditional, singer but the nine tracks on the album, all written by her I believe, show a good range of styles, tempos and formats that make for an interesting mix.

“Bunkers Hill” opens the album with a lively, bouncy song that has a country dance feel to it. As often, though, the happy tune hides darker lyrics about going off to war although it does have a happy ending and the young man comes back to share a kiss with his true love. This track is very rich with a sparkling fiddle backing and a sing-a-long chorus.

“In These Shoes” is a quieter song, with delicately picked guitar and whistle weaving through the music, but Linda’s fine voice leading. It is a simple song about a pair of shoes and the person who both made and wore them. It’s a traditional sounding folk song and one I can imagine becoming very popular amongst floorspots and singers. It’s a very beautiful song.

“Coffee Blues” is another departure. This is a real smokey speakeasy blues with sensuous sax and drum backing all and is a real toe tapper all about not having time for a coffee and what effect that has. Can’t we all relate to that one? Linda can adapt her voice well to songs so this one has a much lighter tone to it.

“Within These Walls” closes the album and again takes a different track. It’s spoken words with only the chorus being sung, and a simple guitar backing. It’s the story of a house and the people in it, watching the seasons change around them. It has a very bucolic and welcoming feel.

Every track has a different feel to it and all make very enjoyable listening. I think, ultimately, it’s Linda’s ability to make all of these different styles work, and arrange them so well that makes this an album worth getting. “Butterfly In A Box” was released on 1st March is available now as a download through her website or Bandcamp.

Tony Birch  19th March 2023

2023

Its February and all instrumentation now in and mixing & mastering process is completed!

There are some staggeringly beautiful additions from the one woman string section that is Marion Fleetwood,  Saxophonist and whistle player Snake Davis, Double bass from Jerome Davis and fretless bass from Brad Lang. Add to that the superb keyboard programming and playing skills of Nick Holland and the result is just the most rewarding studio album I have ever made.

2022

Well, its now November and, as promised – some very welcome news! I am extremely lucky to have secured studio time with producer and engineer, Nicholas Holland. and I can now announce:

Studio Album number 5 is well on the way!!

All vocal tracks are laid down, my instrumental parts are recorded. We are now adding contributions from some wonderful musicians. The fabulous percussionist, Terl Bryant has added some wonderful beats so far and I’ll keep you up to date as each contribution is completed.

Release is due before Easter 2023 – check back for release date announcement soon!

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Review of Album, “Behind the Clock”:

Linda Watkins

BEHIND THE CLOCK

Self-released TAL0004

****

Harks back to a more pleasant time in music.

Hailing from the Welsh valleys and having received airplay on 93.7 Express FM, this is the fourth record by Linda and shows a true artist blossoming as each album passes. Her angelic voice is bound to strike a chord with those suffering economic hardship as her songs will enable for the souls of many to be revitalised.

A dozen tracks long with all of them written by her, Blue Velvet Sky is a perfect example of what Linda is capable of providing. With an Americana groove and slight tinges of English folk, the pedal steel that is provided by PJ Wright is marvellous to say the least. It has an intergenerational appeal and houses possibilities that it will be accepted by mainstream audiences around the world.

A fifth album? Yes please. Russell Hill