There’s always a fear that when a well-known TV star releases an album of music that it may just be a cash in on a well-known name or at best a cheesy bucket list attempt to fulfill a lifelong ambition regardless of quality.
Having not seen actress Eleanor Tomlinson, in TV’s Poldark, I had no preconceptions of what to expect from her debut release Tales from Home, it was therefore a delight to find that this album actually sparkles with presentation and personality from Eleanor Tomlinson – the singer.
Yes, there are folk-influenced covers such as Simon & Garfunkel’s Homeward Bound, Carole King’s Tapestry, Bonnie Raitt’s I Can’t Make You Love Me and Gordon Lightfoot’s If You Could Read My Mind. All are given a beautiful new twist with Eleanor’s dreamy wistful vocal style set alongside Anne Dudley’s lush acoustic arrangements.
Eleanor also revisits popular favourites such as Sandy Denny’s Where Does the Time Go? as well as spotlighting traditional folk songs, including a rendition of The Spinning Wheel of which she duets with her brother, Ross. There’s also a trip into the world of musicals with Hushabye Mountain from Chitty, Chitty, Bang Bang.
Tales from Home is a worthy release which displays several enchanting vocal performances as well as revisiting some frequently overlooked favourites and hopefully will be the first of many albums from the talented Eleanor Tomlinson.
- Tales from Home is available on Compact Disc from Sony Music Masterworks.