Sara Daniels  -  Singer Songwriter

R2 Rock’n Reel CD Review
Sara Daniels
* * * * * * * * *
Lightly on My Heart
(Cracked) www.saradaniels.me

"Since 1993’s Celtic Clasp solo debut, this Berkshire based artist’s life has been subject to much upheaval. For listeners in the know, this lends a certain piquancy to this latest offering’s ‘Healing Powers’ finale and the very title track, each addressing the coming to terms with a loved one’s death. Yet, entirely bereft of mawkishness, these leave aftertastes of pleasant melancholia that is oddly and paradoxically uplifting.

Elsewhere too, Daniels’ original- and her interpretations of both those of others and traditional items- are simultaneously personal and universal, and buoyed by accompaniment from, among others, past and present Oysterband and Bellowhead, and Luke Daniels- BBC Radio 2’s Young Tradition Musician of the Year in 1992 and ex- Riverdance band member. Crucially, there’s an assured and clear vocal delivery worthy of Maddy Prior or Jane Relf.

Blending seamlessly with newly minted songs are some that have been part of Sara’s repertoire for years. The deceptively offhand desperation of ‘Stolen Time’, for instance, dates from tenure in a duo with Pippa Jones- Rowe. Moreover, the historic Yarn ‘Bonnie Jean Cameron’ has become synonymous with Daniels as Irish singing guitarist Eric Fleming and, in common with other aspects of this engrossing collection, makes you want to hear more of the same."
Alan Clayson

Up and coming Sara Daniels Gig...
Date: Sunday 14th August 2011, 7.30pm
Venue: Readifolk Club. RISC, London Street, Reading, Berks
www.readifolk.org.uk