Laura Wright: The Last Rose - an album guide
Laura Wright's debut album is a collection of well-loved folk songs that truly manages to breathe fresh life into old pieces. Find out how, with our handy track-by-track guide!
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1. The Last Rose Of Summer
A plaintive introduction to Laura's gorgeous soprano, this song encourages it to ring out in the higher registers.
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2. I Know Where I'm Going
This Scottish ballad is a sweet declaration of a girl's love for her "handsome, winsome Johnny." Here's it's given a sensitive string arrangement so that Wright's vocals take centre stage.
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3. Scarborough Fair
It's been tackled by all sorts of artists over the years (perhaps most famously by Simon & Garfunkel, pictured), but Laura Wright gives this folk classic a delicate overhaul. It also features guitar from fellow Classic BRIT nominee Craig Ogden.
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4. Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
Ben Johnson's poem 'To Celia' is the basis for this popular folk song, which features a gorgeous intertwining of Wright's voice and solo violin.
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5. Blow The Wind Southerly
With origins in Northumbria, this song is another example of how well Laura Wright performs songs about longing and romance.
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6. Now Sleeps The Crimson Petal
This is the only non-traditional song on the whole album, but the great Paul Mealor (of Military Wives fame, pictured) steps in with this winning number.
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7. O Waly Waly
Beginning with a throaty viola line, this song of Scottish origin is the perfect vehicle for Wright's soaring soprano.
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8. Skye Boat Song
This one will be familiar to most, but thanks to an inventive string arrangement, it sounds remarkably fresh on this album.
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9. Down By The Salley Gardens
Based on a poem by William Butler Yeats, this Irish standard is a dreadfully sad story, ending with the immortal line: "But I was young and foolish, and now am full of tears."
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10. The Ash Grove
Continuing her tour of the British Isles, Laura swings past Wales for this hymn to nature's glory. It's been performed over the years by the likes of Ry Cooder (pictured), Lightnin' Hopkins and Mississippi John Hurt.
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11. My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean
Beginning with a sweet cello solo, this is a super arrangement of the well-loved folk song.
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12. Lavender's Blue
Perhaps wisely avoiding most of the thirty or so known verses for this dainty little song, Laura finishes her album off with this quaint number that originates from the 17th century.
