One Little Indian Rec.
Kelli Ali : Rocking Horse (UK,2008)****
One Little Indian Rec.Kelli Ali : Little Savages -download single- (UK,2009)****
While in her younger days Kelli, under her birth name Kelli Dayton, made sexy teenage triphop, while something underneath showed already its interests for building up a more beautiful natural world. The focus on her third solo release took three years to complete into a song cycle and is expressed with a more acid folk style, attracting Vasthi Bunyan’s producer (of Vashti’s more recent, second album) Max Richter to guide her. Her own sweet voice surely fits well for this approach.
The song cycle, 13 songs in total, show a growing consciousness involved with a love story to find comfort and her place in a more uneasy world guided and inspired by an idealistic heart, looking for a balance like in a magical state and place. All the artwork was ready for a digipack release which included the lyrics, but it became a jewel case instead (together with a single carton box promo version).
The arrangements are truly perfect, with some post late 60s, early 70s flavours : acoustic arrangements with acoustic guitars, piano, flute, some Floydian organ (the bird song with organ) on “one day..”, and some string or reed arrangements and a handful of other touches of arrangements (glass, tambourine, glockenspiel,..). Truly enjoyable for winter fire light nights, autumn leaves passing by. Great to know is that she has a heart for poetry.
Two beautiful tracks can be found on a digital 3-track single. The first outtake shows the sort of arrangements I was talking about (with a post-medieval magic feeling confirmed by two oboes, harpsichord touches, acoustic guitar, colourful keyboards on “the savages”). Also included is a different and interesting “acoustic version” of “Rocking Horse”, with arrangements by acoustic guitar, progressive flutes, cello or double bass and violin, somewhat provoking a rather romanticised but still vibrating energy as a tribute to provoke a magical faerie dance. Last but not least is her version of the beautiful “Willow Song” (Wickerman). Her voice handles the original very well. Highly recommended!
