Gerda Stevenson is better known for her acting and writing for theatre than her singing and songwriting, but this first album, long in gestation, will surely see her become as well regarded in music circles as her composer father Ronald, harpist sister Savourna and fiddler niece Anna Wendy.

Gerda's theatre background shines through in timing and diction that make her storytelling lyrics all the more potent and entertaining. She also has the ability to switch roles from an Ivor Cutler-like innocence to something resembling the McGarrigle sisters' mischievousness and poignancy, all in the same song. Her composing has depth as well as a breadth that takes in sophisticated acoustic swing (Papa's Leaving) and piano ballads (Hard To Say It) and a more earthy style that carries on the Borders folk ballad and love song tradition (It's Ower). A session musician cast including James Ross (piano) and Konrad Wiszniewski (saxophones) adds shape and colour but, in terms of character, Stevenson has plenty of her own.

Rob Adams