Abagail Grey
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Abagail Grey

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Band Folk Singer/Songwriter

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"EP Abagail Grey - Dark Wook"

Claire Campbell chose the stage name Abagail Grey after meeting the character in what is described as an “eerily vivid dream”. And for that, she could hardly have a better name, because listening to her music seems like a slightly out-of-body experience, something that snatches at the senses and then comes back to haunt you later.

That dreamlike state is ideal, too, to tell the story Campbell wants to tell. This, her first record aside from a Christmas single since 2010’s Apple Cherub Dove, is a woozy, off-kilter sampling of ballads paying tribute to her aunt, who died of leukaemia in October 2010.

A classically trained pianist and traditional fiddler, Campbell adds delicate vocals to create a hazy atmosphere through which to channel her oddly affecting music. Through the mist emerge some fine hooks – opener ‘Dark Wood’’s haunting refrain is simple but liable to stick as Campbell sings to her lost aunt: “I hope I see you on the other side/We need more time”.

‘Water’ shimmers like a flowing stream as Campbell’s voice stretches to soprano to tell the story of an imagined stretch of water where those who have passed wait for others to join them. The four tracks on this EP are ordered in the reverse of their composition, so ‘Shoes’ and ‘Flame’ come from a time when Campbell’s aunt was still alive.

If anything, they are the darker songs, the fear of what might come greater than the acceptance and celebration of life that came afterwards. Those who have loved and lost will recognise that instinct, and find plenty to admire in this finely-crafted EP. - Ian Parker For Folks Sake


"Abagail Grey Dark Wood Ep"

“Well regarded Scottish artist Claire Campbell goes under her artistic nom de folk Abagail Grey again as she follows her 2011 sophomore release ‘Apple Cherub Dove’ with this deeply personal quartet of songs based around reminiscences of her aunt who played a pivotal part in her upbringing, and sadly succumbed to leukaemia in 2010.
Having gathered the assistance of musicians who have recorded alongside Caledonian Indie luminaries Teenage Fanclub and Belle and Sebastian, she charts this story chronologically backwards; the lead and title track ‘Dark Woods’ tackles the aftermath of Campbell’s loss with yearning and the need for more time, and hope s for the other side beneath keening violins, as pianos and soft drums pick out a tortured slow rhythm.

The other tracks deal with various stages of remission and disbelief. ‘Water‘ catches Campbell near the top of her vocal register interweaving melodies with violins. Its sudden quirky twists are sometimes Tori Amos-like in their intent, and remain beguiling and unpredictable for the most part. The highlight comes with the final claustrophobic rhythms and atmosphere of closing hymn ‘Flame’. It’s restrained grace, and grounding feel rounding off this fitting and heartfelt tribute.”
- Americana UK


"Abagail Grey Dark Wood Ep Reviewed"

“Abagail Grey is a new name to me but the purity of her voice and the emotion in the delivery suggest a performer of real talent. She is, in fact, the alter-ego of Claire Campbell – Scottish folk performer – and suddenly I can understand why her voice is recognisable.
This EP is a memoriam to her aunt who died of leukaemia in 2010 but she manages to avoid the mawkish or over-wrenched emotions and the four songs here not only stand as songs in their own right but almost present the positive side of the lost aunt without any mention of her directly.
Chris Geddes (Belle & Sebastian) and Tony Doogan (Snow Patrol & Teenage Fanclub) have collaborated with her to bring a deliciously poignant but sweet taste to the music. Ali Brown’s bass is subtle and strong and Derek Urquhart plays drums simply and in such an understated manner so as to be a suggestion rather than a rhythm and the two sit the sombreness of the music perfectly.
Campbell clearly felt the loss of her aunt deeply and her emotions are laid bare on tracks like ‘Dark Wood’ where she reflects on her childhood attachment – “you stole my heart when my heart was young” – and her feelings on certain points of her aunt’s illness – initial diagnosis and relapse are both treated with haunting soprano smokiness but the end result is simply beautiful music and well presented”
Songs ********/10
Sound quality ********/10
Satisfaction *********/10
- Musicosis


Discography

EP Snowflake Remember - Due for release 1st Dec 2012 - produced by Chris Geddes and Tony Doogan and mastered by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road. Supported by national radio and press campaign currently underway.

EP Dark Wood - released 30th August 2012 - produced by Chris Geddes and Tony Doogan. Supported by national radio and press campaign, received press coverage and radio play on a national level. Available on itunes and other digital stores - distributor www.theorchard.com

Digital Single - Winter & Icicles - released Nov 2011 - produced by Chris Geddes and Tony Doogan. Available on itunes and other digital stores - distributor www.emubands.com

Album - Apple Cherub Dove (old line-up) - released April 2011 - produced by Chris Geddes and Tony Doogan. Available on itunes and other digital stores - distributor www.emubands.com. Released on vinyl in USA via http//:www.mplsltd.com - available in retail stores throughout USA.

Album - Long Case Clock Suspension (old line-up) - released July 2009 - produced by Chris Geddes and Tony Doogan. Available on itunes and other digital stores - distributor www.emubands.com. Released on vinyl in USA via http//:www.mplsltd.com - available in retail stores throughout USA.

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Bio

ABAGAIL GREY: NEW EP DARK WOOD RELEASED AUGUST 30TH

PRODUCED BY CHRIS GEDDES & TONY DOOGAN

Uniting the intensely personal with the wholly universal, Dark Wood is the latest release from Scotland’s Abagail Grey, the creative alter ego of Highland singer-songwriter, pianist and fiddler Claire Campbell. Following widespread praise for last year’s second album Apple Cherub Dove, and December’s seasonal download single ‘Winter & Icicles’, Campbell has again teamed up with long-time collaborators Chris Geddes (Belle & Sebastian) and Tony Doogan (Snow Patrol, Teenage Fanclub) to record Dark Wood, an achingly poignant yet magically affirmative mini-suite of songs in memory of Campbell’s aunt, who died of leukaemia in October 2010.

Dark Wood’s release marks another highlight in an exciting year for Abagail Grey, including appearances at Celtic Connections, London Folkfest and a headline slot at the world’s biggest music festival, Summerfest in Milwaukee, alongside the likes of the Beach Boys, Foo Fighters and Iron Maiden. With interest in Campbell’s music mounting fast around the UK, and US licensing and publishing deals recently secured, this captivatingly heartfelt, exquisitely crafted EP will further enhance her reputation among Scotland’s most gifted emerging artists.

ABAGAIL GREY WILL RELEASE SNOWFLAKE REMEMBER ON 1ST DECEMBER 2012

Praise for Dark Wood
"the purity of her voice and the emotion in the delivery suggest a performer of real talent....deliciously poignant but sweet...simply beautiful"
http://www.musicosis.co.uk/?p=1962

"Well regarded Scottish artist Claire Campbell goes under her artistic nom de folk Abagail Grey again as she follows her 2011 sophomore release ‘Apple Cherub Dove’ with this deeply personal quartet of songs based around reminiscences of her aunt who played a pivotal part in her upbringing, and sadly succumbed to leukaemia in 2010.
Having gathered the assistance of musicians who have recorded alongside Caledonian Indie luminaries Teenage Fanclub and Belle and Sebastian, she charts this story chronologically backwards; the lead and title track ‘Dark Woods’ tackles the aftermath of Campbell’s loss with yearning and the need for more time, and hope s for the other side beneath keening violins, as pianos and soft drums pick out a tortured slow rhythm.

The other tracks deal with various stages of remission and disbelief. ‘Water‘ catches Campbell near the top of her vocal register interweaving melodies with violins. Its sudden quirky twists are sometimes Tori Amos-like in their intent, and remain beguiling and unpredictable for the most part. The highlight comes with the final claustrophobic rhythms and atmosphere of closing hymn ‘Flame’. It’s restrained grace, and grounding feel rounding off this fitting and heartfelt tribute"
http://www.americana-uk.com/reviews-cd-live/latest-cd-reviews/item/abagail-grey