Saturday 1st March 08 - Edwina Hayes at Driffield Folk Club By Steve Rudd

It's not every day you get to see a world-class singer-songwriter perform in Driffield. Similarly, it's rare for the singer-songwriter in question to actually live in town. But then Edwina Hayes, despite her profile and enviable acquaintances in the music industry, is thoroughly modest and down-to-earth. She doesn't seem the type of person to expect front-page headlines even when they're due. Hence her latest low-key performance at Driffield Folk Club.

Having lived in cities as far-flung as London and Nashville, Edwina presently calls Driffield home. And, almost a year to the day since she last took to the Folk Club's humble stage, she returned to play a mixture of songs from her debut album, Out On My Own, and her brand-new release, Pour Me A Drink. 'It's a poor marketing strategy, but I've only got four copies of my new album for sale,' she guffawed, acknowledging the merchandise desk at the back of the venue.

As self-deprecating as ever, Edwina perpetually peppers her shows with anecdotes aplenty, all of which provide an insight into the inspiration for her Country-rooted songs.

Interestingly, her latest release also features a handful of covers songs, included because she strove to produce an album that reflected the nature of her live shows, given that she regularly performs songs by the likes of Gillian Welch and Nanci Griffith. Gliding onto the stage with her Tanglewood acoustic guitar, she opened with the intimate Leave A Light On For You, clearly glad to be playing in front of so many friends and family. Blessed with a rich, full-bodied voice that perfectly captures the mood of her soul-stirring melodies, she went on to play Run and Call Me, before revealing that the title track from her latest album - Pour Me A Drink - had been partially inspired by her dad.

Delighted to have finally released her second album, Edwina said she'd love it if somebody covered one of her songs, before she plunged into a bewitching rendition of Randy Newman's Feels Like Home. Having worked and toured with a whole host of prodigiously talented people (Boo Hewerdine, Sandi Thom and Jools Holland to name a few), she manages to remain grounded and focused, having released Pour Me A Drink on her own Twirly Music label.

And while her music is undeniably anchored in the Contemporary Country genre, its flavour's blended with doses of Folk and Americana at its finest. Paying tribute to one of her biggest influences in Richard Thompson, Edwina played a sublime version of his Waltzing's For Dreamers, confiding that she - like Thompson - can't get enough of writing sad songs concerned with unrequited love. Still, it's when she's singing her own self-penned tunes that her talents really shine to blinding degrees, with the short-but-sweet Bend In The Road and Open The Show proving to be set highlights, as catchy and captivating as they are.

Wearing her heart on her sleeve, Edwina consistently crafts lilting ballads that encapsulate the idiosyncrasies of the human condition, and everybody's desire to be desired.

When you can count Michael Parkinson and Bob Harris amongst your fans, it's safe to say that you must be doing something right. Having had her songs featured on radio shows presented by such aforementioned luminaries, it's clear that Edwina Hayes is a supremely talented singer-songwriter to be reckoned with. On record, she's incredible; in person, she's unbelievable. And to think, she lives in Driffield! Now just imagine if we had an Arts Centre to call our own, where she could play to her heart's content...

For more information about Edwina Hayes, and to purchase her latest album, visit www.edwinahayes.com or www.myspace.com/edwinahayes

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