The press on 'So Much To Cover'

By: Eric Supparo
In: Le Cri du Coyote

We can't use words sparingly here: this album is a splendid revelation. And despite the lack of information (we don't know where in The Netherlands she is from, or what her career thusfar has been like nor what her aspirations are), these songs have a charm that equals and often even surpasses that of Gillian Welch, Neko Case or Lucinda Williams productions. The people responsible for this flagrant success are Marjolein van der Klauw (in her thirties, sublime folky voice and perfect compositions) and Jac Bico (responsible for the acoustic beauty, mandolines, steel and dobro, guitars). The twelve songs on the album So Much To Cover rival in joy, originality and good taste, like a marriage between Linda Thompson, Alison Krauss and the Cowboy Junkies: a stream of emotions, Irish influences (The Pillow), tastes of the Balkan (Daddy Left His Wife), blues (Tessa), bluegrass (Big Mouth) and a series of folk-rock ballads of a rare quality. A detail that should not go unmentioned: this cd can be played incessantly and never wear out. Listen to it with your eyes closed: Powderblue is the most beautiful surprise of folk at this moment and Marjolein is a songwriter to be watched closely. This had to be said, and written.

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