This is a quality CD that comfortably straddles the line between country and Americana. Peach and Quiet are Heather Read and Jonny Miller. They have an established reputation on the Canadian roots scene and judging by this it’s well deserved.
They offer up songs with strong narratives in a warm folksy setting aided by a variety of session players. Recording at the Nashville, studios of Steve Dawson produces the quality you would expect of an album laid down in Music City. Jonny has a fairly high register voice that might, on its own, call to mind Tom Petty or Roger McGuinn but when combined with harmonies from Heather they achieve a quite unique feel.
There are two stand out tracks. ‘Shoreline After A Storm’ which has a great laid back, rocky feel that gives Heather a chance to channel her inner Bonnie Rait and features some fine lead guitar. ‘Seven Daffodils’ is probably the best example of Jonny’s vocal and the tight/ disciplined harmony singing this duo produce. I found it a shame that there was no opportunity to hear them let rip on an out and out rocker. I bet they are more than capable of it. Maybe next time.
Philip Thomas
