Sarah MacDougall: Across the Atlantic 

Reviewed By: Malcolm Carter
Label: Copperspine Records 
Format: CD

Although only just recently released in the U.K. Sarah MacDougall’s second album has been available, certainly in Sweden, the country she was born in, for nearly a year now. It appears that a few years ago MacDougall made another album, ‘Headed for the Hills’, but it was only available at gigs. So not having heard that debut and with ‘Across the Atlantic’ being touted as MacDougall’s first official release we’ll treat it as such.

Currently living in Canada when she is not touring, which is something MacDougall seems to do a lot of, it’s not surprising that the music she makes can easily be bracketed in the alt. country / folk genre. What is surprising is that MacDougall not only wrote all ten songs on ‘Across the Atlantic’ but she also recorded and produced them. This is no kitchen-sink production either, apart from a maybe misguided introduction to the opening song, ‘Ballad Of Sherri’, which sounds like it’s coming through a tinny transistor radio. MacDougall should be proud of the fact that if, for some unfathomable reason her singing career should fail, then she could well be in demand as a producer. 

‘Ballad of Sherri’ eventually does get to shine. Maybe MacDougall was trying to make a point that she is no lightweight; that she knows where the roots of the music she makes come from with that introduction, but once the sound of the song fills out it shows that MacDougall can write an extremely catchy tune coupled with lyrics that are far from throw-away. It’s a good sing-along country song, one that belies MacDougall’s age and origin but worryingly, as an opener, makes a new listener wonder if, fine as this song is, it’s all she has to offer.

Thankfully on the following song, ‘Ramblin’, MacDougall presents us with the first of a bunch of slower songs on ‘Across the Atlantic’; songs that we eventually, by the end of the album, know that this is where her future should lie. 

There have been many names mentioned when writers have been trying to compare MacDougall to other female singer/songwriters. With ‘Ramblin’ there is only one comparison needed and that’s with possibly the most important female singer/songwriter to emerge in the last thirty years, the one who, in fact, named her first album ‘Ramblin’ and is named Lucinda Williams. I hear so much of Williams in this particular song, especially her later work. But what is most surprising is not that MacDougall manages to evoke the work of Williams on this song but that she achieves it at a much younger age than Williams did. It took a good few years until Williams’ music matured into what it is today and the same amount of years for her to gain the recognition she deserved. If MacDougall comes up with more songs of the calibre of ‘Ramblin’ then her journey to the top will be considerably shorter than the road Williams had to travel.

The production on these songs really is remarkable. Even when MacDougall and the bunch of musicians she chose to bring these songs to life let loose on songs that are more upbeat and country influenced like the opening song and ‘Cry Wolf’, MacDougall manages to capture the sound of a band having fun and enjoying recording the songs without them ever sounding ramshackle; one gets the feeling that a lot of heart and soul went into each and every note. 

The title song is another beautiful tune, slowing the pace down to sing the praises of her hometown while missing a loved one left “Across The Atlantic” it’s another catchy tune but typically, while on her more up tempo songs her melodies can sometimes grate a little if you are not in the best of moods, on slower songs MacDougall’s tunes envelop the listener like that favourite winter coat. Even if it wasn’t possibly the only song ever to be written about Malmö, it will always be the best song written about that town. 

MacDougall plays the same trick on the next song on the album, ‘I’ve Got Your Back’, another slow gem of a song with MacDougall sounding her world-weariest best it’s another song that will break hearts. 

We’re only two months into a new year but MacDougall has been the biggest surprise so far with possibly the best new album I’ve heard so far this year. The production is impressive, MacDonald obviously has an ear for putting the right but sometimes totally unexpected sounds in just the right places, the playing is immaculate throughout and her vocals pull you into every song. I’d have to say that I prefer MacDougall when she sings her heartbreaking ballads but even when she ups the tempo the strength of her melodies wins me over.

Sarah MacDougall is touring Europe from April and I hear she is even performing at some small venues in Sweden in March ; catch her now while you can. I’ve a feeling that it won’t be too long before she has to leave the more intimate venues behind. ‘Across The Atlantic’; the first truly great album of 2010.

Born in Sweden, but living in Vancouver, Canada, Sarah MacDougall is one of those gifted singer songwriters that is able to captivate an audience both on record as on stage! For the past years she’s been touring Europe, Scandinavia and Canada to promote her album “Across the Atlantic” an alt.country effort that comes with a handful of great tunes.

Leading track “Ballad of Sherri” opens with a bliss and gives away what Miss MacDougall has in store for us. “Cry Wolf” is another track that immediately attracts your attention! Not only the upbeat tempo but also the instrumentation and the catchy chorus is worth to listen to.
On “Hundred Dollar Bills” Sarah uses more of these strange instruments to accompany her voice. Well these instruments are not that strange, but face it the use of a cello, euphonium (aka Tuba) or a weissenborn (kind of lap guitar) aren’t standard either. “Biggest Mistake”, “Crow’s Lament” and “Goodbye Julie” are beautifully closing down this nice album full of self penned tunes.

While touring the world, Sarah is constantly working on a new album as well! An effort that is promised somewhere later this year, but in the mean time we have to do with Across the Atlantic. If you are into artists like Buffy Saint Marie, Eliza Gilkyson or Joan Baez then Sarah MacDougall will certainly find a place on your cd player.

It sometimes feels as though all the best music is coming out of Canada these days and this album by Sarah MacDougall keeps that refrain going – it is simply delicious.

This would be put in the alt.country pigeon-hole but there is as much folk and even bluegrass in her sound and some of the tracks on this album stand comparison with some of the greats. She has a sensitive approach to her music with real melodies and a tone that speaks to the heart of the listener without sugarcoating or applying the saccharine as she sings about the joys and the hardships of life. 

She manages to vary the tempo and the form from track to track, every song is different and on numbers like ‘Hundred Dollar Bills’ she manages to mix the jaunty sound of a euphonium and the melancholy of the viola before bouncing into ‘Biggest Mistake’, all up-tempo country with some superb guitar work. ‘Crow’s Lament’ sings of the solitary bird among the masses below and asks the question ‘Where do birds go when they die?’.
All through this album we are treated to songs about the solitary individual and the dichotomy of wanting human company and this is superbly demonstrated on ‘Ramblin’ as she sings ‘I’ve been rambling all my life so come on baby, ramble with me now ….. I’ve been rambling alone all my life’ over a steel lap slide; you feel the emotional split between wanting to keep your life as it was but feeling the need for contact and warmth.
10 tracks and every one a cracker in its own way, this is Ms MacDougall’s debut official release and it sounds as though she will have a huge future ahead of her. 

She is touring in April and May and the idea of seeing her in a venue like Camden’s Green Note Cafe or the Amberley Folk Club where she will be ‘intimate’ with the audience sounds like heaven to me.

www.sarahmacdougall.com www.myspace.com/sarahmacdougall

Q50 – February 2010.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2010/0115/1224262332626.html

Sarah MacDougall

JOE BREEN

Across the Atlantic , Copperspine Records ****

Born in Sweden and now based in Canada, Sarah MacDougall draws from both sides of the Atlantic, displaying an eclecticism that colours her uplifting music.

She could be described as indie folk with a strong hint of country, but perhaps the best description of this impressive debut is in her online biography: “I wanted to write an album that sticks in your head and grabs a hold of your heart.” Self-produced, with some tracks recorded in her bedroom, Across the Atlantic matches her ambition with songs, such as Ballad of Sherri, infused with character and invention. If the gentle bounce of that track sets the tone for the upbeat side, then the title track, lyrically rich with a smart arrangement, captures her more reflective side. She is some way short of the finished article, but this is an auspicious start. www.sarahmacdougall.com

I am on my way to Stockholm, and just wanted to say that I have got a little last minute show, opening for Nicolai Dunger, a wonderful Swedish singer-songwriter, at Mosebacke in Stockholm. This is such a great place, I can’t wait. So if you love good music, and you are in Stockholm tomorrow (Jan 7), come to Mosebacke!

Here is to a great new year with lots of art and music, and lots of love for all……………..and more money. hehe it’s all about the money! : )  (but mostly about the music…..)

XOXO

sarah

http://www.shakenstir.co.uk/index.php/reviews/last-reviews-of-2009/reviews/13644/

Sarah MacDougall ACROSS THE ANTLANTIC (Copperspine Records). Release Date: 25 January 2010.

MacDougall is a Swedish-born alt country/indie folk singer/songwriter based in Canada. This album is her first official release and has been produced and engineered by her. “I wanted to write an album that sticks in your head and grabs a hold of your heart” says MacDougall. “And I also wanted to prove myself as a producer and audio-engineer, because I am incredibly passionate about sound!”

Well, congratulations Sarah, you’ve nailed it! Listen to the firt track ‘Ballad Of Sherri’ and you will see exactly what this lady is on about. It opens sounding like something coming out of an old valve radio, then about the middle-eight it opens out in modern audio style. It’s upbeat with a monster melody, a great vocal quality, and dare I say it, a sense of fun. Glorious! ‘Ramblin’ is contemplative, gently rolling love song with country guitar wailing away in the background, and an expressive vocal up-front. There’s a bar-room vibe on ‘Cry Wolf’ which bounds along in true country style. ‘Across The Atlantic’ goes reflective and emo with perhaps the most moving vibe on the record. Beautiful. ‘Hundred Dollar Bills’ has a retro feel that mixes dark and light perfectly. ‘Biggest Mistake’ has a pronounced beat – a real foot-tapper. ‘I’ve Got Sorrow’ moves at glacial pace with gorgeous multi-layered vocals, while ‘Crow’s Lament’ has a distinctly retro, continental feel. Finally, ‘Goodbye Julie’ completes the album on a sad and thoughtful note, and is a standout here.

4/5

“It is not so easyto find a good album of folk song / country / americana which does not fall in clichés associated to these musical styles. Swedish exiled in Canada Sarah MacDougall is THE discovery of alternative folk song / country of this end of year, simply. She possesses the charming voice of a fallen angel, Lucinda William’s depth, maturity of one Joan Baez and the freshness as well as the spontaneity of her young age. This author / composer / producer and guitarist has everything for her. Across The Atlantic is the second Lp of the attractive young lady who follows upon already very promising sound first album Headed for the hills ( 2005 ) and in Ep I don’t want to be alone anymore (2008). Her music is at once light and serious, brilliant and poignant, in summary, it is a true beautiful experience to discover and to listen to Across The Atlantic.

Ballad Of Sherri begins on an acoustic sound mono which makes dream of a demo taken on the deep to take finally its flight on a dishevelled rhythm. The more melancholic tune is absolutely sublime. An ideal opening. The beauty of the folk song / country ballad Ramblin ‘ sets in the throat. A very moving piece which rings as a classic of the years of 70’s. Warmer and joyful dancing Cry Wolf country is a small jewel as we would more like to listen to it. The melody is wonderful. Across The Atlantic invites in the journey through this attractive ballad restful, simple and splendidly sung by Sarah. I’ ve Got Your Back is one of these blazing torch songs only the Americans of which have the secret deciphered by Sarah. On a lighter and moved note, Hundred Dollar Bills is a subtle and elegant comic sweetness. Acceleration of considerable tempo on the jewel whom is Biggest Mistake. The heartbreaking I’ ve Got Sorrow continues in the lineage begun withsublime ballads by the piece Ramblin ‘. Of Crow Lament summarizes perfectly Sarah’s universe: a piece country well-balanced which can please a little attracted public parce particular musical genre. A tour de force. The closing piece is made in the most beautiful way by means of a magnificent haunting ballad: Goodbye Juliet.

First album was released in a official way, Across The Atlantic impresses from part the maturity of her creator. Amazing.”