Customer Reviews

Water in the Ground

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I first heard Canadian singer-songwriter Catherine Maclellan when a couple of songs from 'Water In The Ground' were previewed on a BBC radio folk music programme about a month ago. On the strength of this, I bought the album; initially, it didn't have much impact, but the more I played it, the more I liked it - and now, I like it a lot! This release not only includes 'Water In the Ground'(Disc 1), but also(on Disc 2), her first release 'Dark Dream Midnight' (but not taken into consideration for the purpose of this review).

'Water In the Ground' is an album of easy on the ear contemporary folk-pop with, for the most part, a high 'feel good' factor. CM has a fairly soft, slightly 'husky-bluesy' voice and a relaxed style of singing - on the up-tempo numbers, her voice reminds me a little of Eddi Reader and, on a few of the slow tempo songs, Brandi Carlile and Eilen Jewell. Instrumental accompaniment is semi-acoustic - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, nylon string guitar, acoustic bass, mandolin, drums and percussion; also, brief appearances are made by cello, accordion, steel guitar, banjo, piano and harmonium. There are some captivating short instrumental solos to listen out for (often at the end of the song) - these feature mainly various guitars and mandolin; also, a few songs have pleasant harmony vocals - and those on 'Set This Heart On Fire' should not be missed.

CM writes pretty songs with undemanding, but well-crafted, lyrics and melodies that often linger. None of the songs really rock, but there is a good mix of rhythms and tempos - songs with a customary folksy lilt ('Water In The Ground', 'Set This Heart On Fire'); plaintive, slow tempo numbers ('Isabels's Song', 'Again From The Start'); or those with a 'brushed drum swing' to give a light 'jazz-blues' feel ('Take A Break', 'Not Much To Do'). The music has very little edge, and her lyrics are virtually 'angst-free'. There are no songs that I dislike, each one of these songs has something that I can enjoy - be it the vocals, the harmonies, the playing or the melodies (in most cases, all of these ingredients).

The inclusion of 2 or 3 songs with a bit more edge would have been welcomed - but somehow, I don't think this is Catherine Maclellan's style. 'Water In The Ground' presents the listener with a stream (no pun intended) of gentle and refined music featuring elegant songs which manage to avoid sounding precious. Feeling a bit stressed out? - then turn down the lights, treat yourself to a large measure of your favourite tipple, and put 'Water In The Ground' in your CD player.

I heard the title cut on our local public radio station and bought the CD right away I liked it so much. Glad I did- MCclelland's voice is clear and beautiful, the music is not cluttered with a lot of fancy production, just straightforward,quality songs. I find myself listening to this CD
over and over- it is so beautiful.There is a very heartening tone to her songs that I really like.

Well, I had to put this CD aside for awhile simply because I was afraid I afraid I would wear it out. I played it every day for weeks! It's that good.

This is a beautiful album. Ms. MacLellan has a sweet voice and sings songs of simple things like love and loss and hope, about the impermanence of the first two and of the undercurrent through all of the songs that is the third. There is a softness to her style that is disarming. It is not the softness of a pushover but of an honesty that doesn't need to be shouted, of a tenderness that comes from where it lives in the heart, unscathed by any posturing or attitude of any kind, except that of wanting to express what it needs to. For those times when you need to hear songs that will not try to fool you back into your illusions, but that will show you their pure heart and speak without falseness to yours, the songs of Water in the Ground are those kinds of songs.