Talking with strangers

"Perhaps uncharacteristically for the work of a librarian (sic!), the disc's contents defy easy classification - for if anything, it's an even more intelligent mix of psych-folk, retro and prog, with spellbinding textures that are lush and heady yet with strands keenly, crisply separated by virtue of abundantly imaginative scoring and an adept use of new technology. But however consistent the purely musical vision, it's nevertheless Judy's ultra-pure, utterly distinctive (and still tremendously beautiful) singing voice that remains both the most vital unifying force of the project and its aural focus, invariably stopping the listener in his/her tracks and compelling one's attention".

"A surprisingly sophisticated triumph ... Having returned to the music scene in 2004 after an absence of over 30 years, Judy Dyble has delivered her best album to date ... As someone with a track record of working with the only the best, Dyble proves she hasn't lost her touch by collaborating with No Man's Tim Bowness, who co-wrote, produced and performs throughout. Drawing upon other musical spaces and times means that Bowness and multi-instrumentalist, Alistair Murphy, have subtly retro-fitted the material with just the right amount reference points to shape the mood but not swamp it with ersatz nostalgia ... Ian McDonald and Robert Fripp (King Crimson), Celia Humphris (Trees), Jacqui McShee (Pentangle) and Simon Nicol (Fairports) become part of a swirling chorus, echoing reminders of meetings in what were undoubtedly remarkable times".

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