reviews > Folk Alliance Australia - October 2003

Trad & Now Magazine summer 2004
Written by Dieter Bajzek

I still remember reviewing her last CD ('Leap Of Faith' June 2002) and the joy it brought me listening to it. And again I feel a certain warmth and satisfying pleasure creeping into my heart as I listen to this new album, and I ask myself, why do I feel emotionally uplifted?. It is obviously a number of factors giving me that "warm fuzzy feeling".

One; The musical arrangements and instrumental playing are just great, the suptle translucent textures of the variety of acoustic stringed instruments provide such supportive and never overwhelming support, and the near absence of drums is a bonus- they would be destructive and out of place here. Congratulations to Dave Steel, Sandy Brady, John Bedggood, Mark Wardle and others.

Two; The unique vocal timbrel qualities (of Tiffany) feel like the voice is floating gently along almost breaking up sometimes, but still very expressive - it's just the dynamics are still there, they are just at a different level, rewarding when you are really listening.

Three; The recording and matering is crisp and of good quality.

Four; the songwriting and interpretation has a refreshingly positive, deceivingly simple, and soulfully loving message to it.
It appears that motherhood, a loving relationship and relatively peaceful life outside the stressful big city has enhanced Tiffany's songwriting greatly, especially leaning towards one major and worthwhile message:

"... love is the treasure ...
... love is the saviour ...
... love is the healer, more precious than silver & gold ..."

I could not agree more! And a beautiful and strongly haunting song like 'Wounded Heart' just proves the rule of the exception, and the idea that one cannot truly appreciate happiness if one has never experienced deep sadness.