Album Review: Emma Swift - Emma Swift

28 July 2014 | 8:39 pm | Ross Clelland

If you hear the honesty in her voice, you were a damn fool to get on that plane.

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One problem when Australian country singers relocate to Nashville to ‘find themselves’ is they can get lost in the surroundings.

Ms Swift was smart enough to avoid that – the pedal steel twang and hint of Linda Ronstadt Mexicana in the distance behind Bittersweet doesn’t detract from her own voice of soft longing. Similarly, the Seasons of the song of that title are of a bright, if dappled, distinctly Australian sunlight. There’s more quiet regret in James – and pal, if you hear the honesty in her voice, you were a damn fool to get on that plane.