Lee Martin - Album Review: Dreamers Dawn
Christchurch-based singer-songwriter Lee Martin has released her third studio album Dreamers Dawn – a dozen original songs crafted while dealing with personal challenges Lee faced during a time of transformation.
The highs and lows are evident to the listener throughout the album, which includes highly personal lyric layered in a bed of genres from Indie Folk to Americana. Whilst strongly Country sounding, Lee Martin’s voice lends itself easily into the Blues musicality that her band offer, particularly in songs like Hard To Breathe.
Recorded at The Chapel by Brendan Zwaan and recorded, produced, and mixed by Te Matera Smith, with mastering by Chris Chetland from Kog Studio, Dreamers Dawn has a host of wonderful musicians on bass, drums, saxophone, trumpet, and even a Welsh male choir for Losing Sleep. For me, this song was the highlight of the album.
Accompanying the release of Dreamers Dawn is a stunning music video directed by Charlie Rose for the focus track When I Was Still With You, which traces back to Lee’s South African heritage.
Last October is a beautifully reflective song with an equally stunning video, and Free encapsulates the gorgeous free-spirit Lee Martin appears to be – and what I would give to have a play with her wardrobe one day!
Lee Martin says, "Dreamers Dawn is a reflection of the dreams, hopes, and journeys that define us all about embracing new beginnings and finding beauty in the unexpected."
One song that stands out to me as offering all of this in one is Use Me, which has a beginning that is very The Civil Wars-esque, and then kicks into something reminiscent of U2 back in the day, before building into Lee’s own anthem of freedom.
Dreamers Dawn sounds like it would be amazing to witness in concert, and I suspect the performative energy Lee and her band create together in a live setting would be unparalleled magical joy.
No matter the topic or genre Lee Martin wanders into, the overall feeling Dreamers Dawn brings is hope, which is something we could all do with more of, and I can’t wait to catch Lee Martin in real life!
About Lee Martin
Both her recorded music and live shows continue to receive rave reviews, capturing the hearts of an ever-growing fanbase and the attention of media and industry globally. Lee's evocative lyrics and soulful performances have consistently resonated with audiences, establishing her as a prominent figure in the music scene.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Lee Martin
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