Search - Heidi Berry :: An Anthology: Pomegranate

The finest female singer/songwriter there has been

M. Brown | Cardiff United Kingdom | 07/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone who believes in beautiful songs and beautiful artistic mastery should own this compilation, then buy a couple of Heidi's albums. Heidi is simply the best female singer/songwriter there has ever been. Not only does she have the most beautiful and powerful voice, but also the best and most affecting songs. Anyone who has listened to the debut album by Rosie Thomas and enjoyed it, should discover Heidi Berry, as she did it first, and with more vision. Heidi's songs are not just beautiful listening experiences, they are a guide to living. She says things in a direct and sensible way, but makes them sound revelatory. Her music is the definition of timeless. It's sad that Heidi has only been allowed to release four albums. She has been without a record deal for several years, and this is criminal, considering her amazing talent. Any record label should be honoured to have her on their roster, but unfortunately the music business is anything but ideal. Even the virtuous 4AD could no longer fund her recordings, given the small audience, and the level of studio expertise put into the recordings. All the pieces here are wonderful, but it's worth owning for the rare track, 'Needle's Eye', which is one of the most staggeringly visionary recordings ever released, Heidi's vocal climbing and climbing into a strange howl/scream. Every song Heidi has recorded has been pure, from the heart, without pretension, and utterly inimitable. She deserves a much bigger audience than she has. One day she will be regarded as one of the finest musical artists of her or any generation. At the moment, she is still an overwhelming secret."

A surprisingly average collection from a superb artist.

cam h. | USA | 05/29/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this album for the demo of "The Mountain" and the two tracks I don't have because I haven't yet gotten my hands on Berry's first album, Below The Waves. As such a fan, it might seem odd I rate this album as average. I can't help it--although Berry is a truly wonderful singer and musician, to me, this "anthology" is less impressive than any other single studio album. Isn't that weird? I can't sort out exactly why. It might have to do with the absence of some of the songs by her that most moved me: "For The Rose" and "Ariel" from her self-titled record; "Hand Over Head", "Bright As Day", and "Lily" from Love; and "Holy Grail" from Miracle. These tracks are gorgeous, and I can't believe at least a few of them are not included! Some of the songs on this anthology are Berry at her best, but others, though very good indeed, were most powerful when part of the record from which they came. As it is, this disc lacks the cohesive zap of each of her studio albums as well as the awe and curiousity a retrospective could inspire. But I could be wrong. Don't forget the bottom line is that if you don't know Heidi Berry already, you won't regret any introduction to her, whether it's this album or others. Whichever you chose, plan to buy more. Berry is timeless and familiar, in the way a lullaby, hymn, or folk song can be."

Loved It!!!!

M. Brown | 06/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I heard Heidi Berry for the first time on AOL Radio Folk - and I was hooked. The songs on "Pomegranate" really touched me. The more I listen to them, the more I want to buy her other CD's. The tunes and lyrics are almost dreamlike. I wish the CD came with the libretto!"