R E V I E W S
"Brilliant! Go girl!" Shane Richie
META PLANET MUSIC ALBUM REVIEW - PAUL SABIN OCTOBER 2024
Not only is Devon a beautiful place full of rolling hills, Tors and amazing beaches, but its also the home to a hotbed of musical talent.
Devon born and bred, singer, songwriter Sarah Yeo first trod the boards at a Pontins talent contest in Brixham and from there she was hooked.
Since then, music has been in her veins and that music is not limited to Country as she loves attending gigs which include Toto, Inglorious as well as the more mainstream Wildwood Kin and The Shires. Yeo has now released several EPs and a lockdown CD and now Yeo who has varied influences including the Eagles, Garth Brooks, Martina Mcbride, Gretchen Peters, Joni Mitchell to name a few has released a new 14 track album which was recorded at Devon’s Rapunzel Studios by George Arnold.
First track, `Nothing To Declare’ see Yeo take the classic American Country sound and make it her own. Brilliant slide guitar parts compliment her warm, crystalline vocal. `A Rainy Night In Glastonbury’ brings us back to Blighty as a moody violin and piano accompany Yeo’s guitar and vocal conjuring up images of a stormy evening in the famous festival town.
`Monterey Bay’ is beautiful track which highlights the haunting strength of Yeo voice which has more than a passing resemblance to that of the late Karen Carpenter. Superb piano and acoustic guitars underpin this wonderful song. `Its All Gone Now’ ventures into a more traditional folk style of song but is still given the Yeo spin making for a unique sound that captures the listener.
`Still Collecting Seashells’ picks up the pace and represents a more modern Country sound whilst remaining distinctly British. This track could so easily have been penned by The Shires. `Car Wash Crying’ is a tear jerker that is totally stateside bound.
`You Don’t Know It Now’ takes its social commentary that offers hope to others and sees some tasteful guitar riffs popping up between Yeo’s strong vocal tone. Slide guitars and a sweet vocal set the scene for `Next Year It’s Nashville’. The songwriting and arrangements found here are quite simply major league.
`It’s Your Town Now’ brings in a pop rock edge as upbeat drums and piano flurries pull this chirpy track along. `Waiting For You’ is a dramatic song oozing emotion from every note and phrase. Violins, tinkling piano and acoustic guitars build this into an epic, mighty song.
`Stow Away’ could be a sea shanty sung at Brixham Pirate festival but here, Yeo’s echoed voice makes this a Capela outing something really special. `Thank Your Lucky Stars’ is a jolly summer song that makes you glad to be alive.
A dreamy slide guitar announces the arrival of `Cold Sangria’ which talks of the familiar last night of the holiday blues. Last track, `Leap Of Fath (Just On A Feeling) has that Eagles vibe and is a real high point to end on.
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Sarah Yeo has pulled some superb musicians together for this album. Combine that with her great ability to compose songs around subjects that everyone can relate to, arrange it beautifully and then add the cherry on top which is her soulful, warm voice which melts like a honey coating to finish things to perfection. No wonder the late Jim Marshall (of the Amplifier fame) cited her as his favourite singer!
The tracks are not all standard country fodder but mix things up nicely which makes for a very easy to listen to album. Don’t let this lady pass you by!
The Wisdom of the Wind by Sarah Yeo . REVIEW BY MICHEAL CHOWNE
14 songs, released 13th September 2024. One of the albums of the year and one I know I'll be going back to time and time again. Devon based Sarah, who also runs the West Country Music Festival (BCMA Festival of the Year nominee), has produced a wonderful album full of country and folk influences. The richness of Sarah's voice is something to behold and gets me every time! Beautiful songwriting too.
THE WISDOM OF THE WIND REVIEW - JAMES CLANCY, LOUD MASTERING Sept 24
"The album is consistantly strong,and I have to say 'Stowaway deserves a special mention. It's a beautiful A Capella number which propels this album to almost legendary status"
"FIRST CLASS ALBUM" - DOUG PARISH, 10 RADIO sept 24
Chris Farlie Feb 2021 Constant Craving
KD Lang has already given her seal of approval to this version, and its easy to see why. Sarah Yeo who did a great job at Midwinterfest some years ago has captured the key elements of the vocal line but has not sought to slavishly follow the instrumentation. In place of the accordion we get an acoustic guitar and gently tinkling piano working in perfect harmony. with some unobtrusive atmospherics added to great effect. Sarah's vocal is clear beautifully sung and yet slightly understated. Rather than going note for note, this is a more personal rendition with Sarah really digging into those lyrics. Though it may never move into full band mode in the way that KD does, it remains a compelling version - and if KD has given it the thumbs up, who are we to disagree?
**** Maverick Magazine
A lovely collection of songs from a very talented artist. As soon as the electric guitar bursts in on the way you make me feel,
the opening track of Sarah Yeo's latest album 'That was Then', you as the listener are immediately hooked.
It's not often that the first few seconds of a song can really lock you in, but Yeo has certainly managed that and the rest of the songs don't disappoint in any way.
From the delicate Flying to the comparatively fast paced
what does it matter, Yeo displays how versatile she can be as an artist and captivates you the whole way through this eight track album.
The album closes with a very gentle and emotive offering in Easily that builds
up into a very powerful climax and ultimately caps off a very good album with a hugely impressive track. With excellent Guitar work and most importantly of all, very good songs, this is very much an album that deserves to be heard.
You'll be wishing there were more tracks to get stuck into by the time it comes to an end.
Rob Ramsey
THAT WAS THEN ALBUM REVEIW
Maverick Magazine Jan/Feb 2019
“Sarah's music is so inspiring and always brings a sweet tear to my face"
"Sarah has such a beautiful tone to her voice and these songs are brilliantly written and produced. Theres got to be a hit there!”
" Nice surprise in the post today, wow! i love the sound and feel in her voice. the melodies, arrangements, keys and guitar work.. it could be a big hit in America. I can hear the Carpenters, Cheryl Crow, the Corrs in parts…"
"My favorite Singer!" Jim Marshall
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"Beautiful voice, I loved it"
BBC introducing
"A beautiful album, sublime vocals and great songs. This album needs to be heard..."
"This lady oozes pure talent by the bucket load. She is an amazing musician with a very likeable unique voice that i could listen to for hours.
Totally Singsational..!!!"