Reddeerclub
Hepzibah Broom -EP- (UK,2008)****'
Only after various listens, was I able to feel the whole range of expressions on this really distinctive 6-track picturedisk cdr. Hepzibah studied herbal medicine after having experimented in India for years with psychotropic plants, like datura, a plant which is still used now and then for engaging the psyche. Besides she’s a ceramist, and feels a strong connection with the earth. Her voice has a very wide range of, sometimes theatrical expressions, something I have mostly only found in people involved honestly in shamanistic dream-trance visionary expressiveness, going with their mind to various places while their voice follows after like with multiple possibilities of guiding personalities expressing how this world can be within reach. While on “Flinty” the lead voice is odd and rather freaky, theatrical, backing vocals are expressed like elves in the forest, and a banjo accompanies, with the violin improvisation making this song become like an ode, a dance. On “Potter’s Song”, with soft pickings, she sings as if this song is the dream of a bird, a song from heaven, even when this can be an ode to earth. Even more variety in vocals we hear on milk, a little part is spoken trough a self-made megaphone, elsewhere her high-toned singing is sweet, and magical. People who like Marissa Nadler’s latest release should surely check this out as well. On “Liberty Cap” there’s even more harmonious, magickal singing, as well as magical harmonies on flute. It is as if this expresses something, with slightly theatrical capacities, something that goes towards different transcendent regions which usually are beyond a normal human’s scope. “Road Digger” sounds like a gospel song, for a forest religion, accompanied by guitar, with powerful singing, performed almost like a (forest?-dedication) ritual. Also “Love delight us” sounds like another song for the forest, with positive witchcraft-like power. We hear also a nice melodic piano, a bit of violin improvisation, some tambourine rhythm and of course acoustic guitar. A real winner.
The album also contains a bonus video of a song called "Love Delight Us".
Additional guitar and backing vocals was provided by Tom Dale ; Consuelo Scivoletto : piano ; Claudia Hoffman : violin.
