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Clare Bowen – Debut Album Review

Clare Bowen best known for her popular portrayal of Scarlett O’Connor as the female leading role in the ABC/CMT Nashville TV series has already hit the country charts with her incredibly unique vocals with many of the songs taken from the popular series mostly accompanied by her co-star Sam Palladio. However now the cast have taken their last bow and the series has sadly come to an end, it’s time for Clare to shine away from everyone’s TV screens and take the country music world by storm flying solo and releasing her long awaited self-titled debut album on August 31st. The Australian beauty has gained quite an impressive fanbase as a singer/actress being part of the series and I’m sure Nashville fans was just as ecstatic as me to hear the announcement of her first solo UK tour too being supported by the fantastic UK duo, Striking Matches. Having composed one of the most popular songs used in the series When the right one comes along, Justin Davis and Sarah Zimmermann seem the perfect fit to accompany Clare on her tour.

The 11-track album that has been put together could best be described as a compilation of beautiful ballads accompanied by Clare’s powerfully rare vocals paired alongside the mesmerising tone she possesses that has the power to instantly captivate you on first listen. The opening track to the album Let It Rain debuted in the UK on Bob Harris Radio 2 show and it also looks set to be released as her first solo single. Releasing this stunning lovesong first gave the fans a little taste of what’s to come before release and being the first track sets the tone for the rest of the album. However, if you are not a fan of ballads there are a select few uplifting songs to add to the mix. One of them songs and a staple track of the album Tide Rolls In, third track on the album, is probably the most upbeat track of the album. The cleverness of the repetitiveness of the chorus line put together with the backing of the guitar ‘Tide Rolls In, Tide Rolls Out’ is the kind of lyric that gets completely stuck in your head and will have you toe-tapping along to the catchy beat wherever you are.  You only have to wait till a few tracks in to All The Bed’s I’ve Made to be given that Gunnar and Scarlett Nashville feel to the album, a gorgeous duet with her musician husband Brandon Young.

The last trio of tracks on the album are possibly the standout tracks for me and all carry the same positive message about having belief in yourself. Little by Little my personal favourite off the album, is a beautifully written track about trusting in yourself and having confidence to take that leap of faith, don’t let anyone stop you, and step by step “little by little” you will get through it. Grace of God & You and Warrior again are tracks also about belief you can do anything with the right people by your side. Although the album may consist of ballads what is quite a clever concept is they are quite catchy tunes and cleverly written lyrics that just draws you in completely. The album gives Clare her chance to show off her incredible talents and shine and shine she does!

Written by Katie Louise Ingram

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Annette Gibbons
Hi, I’m Annette, I have been a huge country music fan since the early 90s those were the days we were lucky enough to have CMT in the UK. I enjoy nothing more than listening to country music whilst having a cold beer (or a moonshine) with friends. I try to as many gigs as I can here in the UK and in the USA; I think of Nashville as my second home and I am lucky to have made some amazing friends in Tennessee. Think Country is something I am very proud of, I just want to share my love and passion of all things country music related with you all.
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