Reviews of In The Valley
Now
here's a thing. Back in 1988, a youthful, floppy-fringed
singer-songwriter by the name of James Varda released his
debut (John Leckie produced) album to some fair acclaim.
Describing itself as 'songs from the fog' with a 'part punk
energy' it was a bold and promising work that evinced
comparisons to the likes of Dylan (then, as now, the burden
of any singer-songwriter), Roy Harper (who Varda toured
with) and 'Suzanne Vega on acid' (a bit off the mark, that
one). And then... nothing. Little was known about Varda. He
was London-based, appeared from out of the ether, and then
just disappeared, seemingly from whence he came.
Well now, some 15 years later, he's back! And this album is
a quietly wonderful return. It's tender and introspective,
consummately unassuming, and achingly affecting. I hesitate
to mention the name Nick Drake, particularly as recent
years have seen such a shameless slew of folky types
welding themselves so vaingloriously to his name and sound
and memory. But with Varda, it's more subtle and natural.
There's something in the phrasing, the hushed tone, the
soft gyre, the darkly rusted air.
Enquiries as to his whereabouts over the last decade and a
half are fielded with a straight bat. 'I took a break from
recording and playing live to sort a few things out in my
life,' he says. 'But I never stopped writing songs.' This
is an excellent album.
Ross Fortune - Time Out. January
2004.
-----------------------
In 1988,this English singer-songwriter released an album
produced by John Leckie (Roy Harper, Radiohead), which kept
him busy on the folk-rock circuit for a couple of years. He
seemed to disappear after that, but he's back with a
gorgeously mature work, on which crisp vocals and emotive
recollections provide food for the heart and head.
Tim Perry - The Independent Newspaper. 17th January
2004.
-----------------------
Sometimes all you need is a voice and a guitar. Sometimes
plain, unadorned music, free of artifice, is sufficient.
Sometimes the sound of one man strumming an acoustic guitar
and singing songs in a clear, heartfelt voice, is enough.
Enough to help slough off the cares of the day as the music
effortlessly envelops you. Such is the case with James
Varda's exquisite In The Valley. Ten simple songs, recorded
with care, that are uplifting and satisfying and bear
repeated listening. Fans of Varda, of course, will
appreciate that they have had a long wait to hear more of
his work. For this release comes a mere 15 years - that's
right, 15 years - after his previous work, Hunger. Since
those heady days of his first album Varda has supported
artists like Roy Harper and Townes Van Zandt and appeared
at the Cambridge Folk Festival and the Reading Festival,
plus doing various TV and radio performances. All that was
a long time ago. To say the guy has, as his publicist says,
kept a low profile most be the understatement of the
century. Hunger was produced by John Leckie back in 1989,
but this time Varda has opted to do it himself, creating a
simple, spacious, warm sound. Some have compared him to
Nick Drake, but Varda's work contains a degree of inherent
optimism that Drake was not exactly renowned for. Standout
track is the five-minute "That's The Time," a gorgeous
rumination on ageing, the passing of time and the
realisation that maybe you haven't achieved what you might
have done. 'When you're weary and heavy and in need of a
rest, and you finally realise that you won't be blessed,
that's the time to give some thought to when your race is
run.' In The Valley is a lovely, sincere, at times moving
piece of work. I only hope we don't have to wait another 15
years for the follow-up.
John Stacey - Comes with a Smile.
-----------------------
It’s been almost fifteen years since James Varda dropped
off the radar, following a brief flirtation with the
spotlight that included one album produced by John Leckie
(Stone Roses, Dr John, Muse) and tours with the likes of
Roy Harper and Townes van Zandt, as well as an appearance
at the Reading Festival. Since then, nothing, though one
suspects he spent his time living and loving. He may not
have been missed, but his return is welcome, for his
intimate, heartfelt and honest style of performing - just
his voice and an acoustic guitar - recalls the acuity of
early James Taylor or a honeyed Richard Thompson. James
Varda’s valley may not be exotic, but it is an enticing,
mysterious place where you can get lost and still feel
safe.
Gillian Nash – Logo Magazine. January
2004.
-----------------------
James Varda's first album was released in 1988 and now he
returns 15 years later with a beautifully written, highly
individual, intimate album - composed, performed and
recorded by Varda.
Rough Trade Shops.