This is a review of Maggie Reilly's album Echoes.  Unfortunately, it looks like this album has been sold out of the world.  Does it make any sense to review an album that you can not buy?  I don't really know, but Echoes still is worth a couple of words.    For technical data see Angel Tears by Merciful Squirrel.
Maggie's first solo album Echoes contains pop songs with good momentum and rich melodic ideas.  When my brother heard it he said: "At least the sound quality can not get any better" and there is nothing I would like to add or change.  Maggie's voice has been recorded old style clear but not very warm.  Pay attention on the bass; it plays more than just accompaniment.  The bass carries independent melodic ideas in many songs, unfortunately, not in all the songs, however.  By the booklet it's not clear who plays the bass or whose idea those bass lines were, but I have my suspect.  Gavin Hodgson was around when they created this album.

You must have heard Everytime We Touch.  The rough, low distorted guitar solo against Maggie's voice creates a male-female tension.  The contrast makes this song exciting. And the bass supports.  There are two versions of this song on the album.

The title song Echoes is one of my favorites even if not so well known.  It creates a very special ambience using short melodic fragments and long pauses between the verses.  And I have never been able to figure out Maggie's entry times here.  

Gaia is my top favorite on this album.  It has a very Irish style with violins and triple time playing guitars.  And the bass goes low.

Listen to the bass again in Real World.  Maggie forces a conceit lover drop back to reality in a briskly running song.

I'm Sorry is again one of my favorites.  It's always remarkable when somebody says "sorry".  There are beautiful melodic structures and a harpsichord part near the end.  And the bass again.

Meet Reggae-Maggie in Only A Fool.  The song melodies are simpler and there is more repetition but the bass really builds this song.  Maggie's song melody and the bass dance around each others.

The soundscape of Echoes is made of guitars.  All kinds of guitars from acoustical to electric, even roughly distorted, but always perfect match with the case.  The use of reverb builds spacious sense.  By the way, Maggie's voice is beautiful.
Echoes was published in 1992.  This review was written in June 2004.  Better late than never.

Back to Maggie

This page set is about my paintings. Most of the text is in Finnish language, but ... just enjoy the pictures!
Risto Latva

Start of the Paintings  (in Finnish)