Music Review// The Space Lady – Greatest Hits
When is a Greatest
Hits album not a Greatest Hits album? Whilst The Space Lady is not the first
artist to name her first recording collection after that oft-feared but not
always unworthy compilation title, (Japanese band Love Psychedelico did that in
the early 2000’s for a start), what makes this album unique is that it is her
only recorded work from a career on the outskirts of the music scene that spans
almost four decades.
On that basis you
might step back and consider that there are many artists who never record
anything yet perform often – but we should be grateful for this entrancing
collection of covers that transcend any derision the word ‘cover’ could bring.
Instead, it’s a dreamy album that obscures any worries you may have in a flurry
of dream like clouds that you can revisit over and over and never get tired.
The lead single was a
dream coated version of Major Tom, originally by Peter Schilling and is perhaps
one of the most addictive tracks from the collection alongside the beautifully
baroque I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night) that echoes with the Casio
keyboard loops that charm you into the deceptively simple soundscape with an
ease that impresses. If you’re going to do covers – this is the way to do it!
The Space Lady herself, resplendent in her
winged helmet on the monochrome album cover, holds a calm presence and adds the
all important mysterious element of surprise in her performance. Her wanderings
around San Francisco, away from the eyes of the main scene, have clearly
informed her unique style that adds her perfect mystique to some choice songs
to reinterpret in her own, shot out into space on a magic rocket like manner.
Indeed, the background
hissing that features on most of the album adds so much to the authenticity of the
work. Finding this album is akin to listening to an unmarked vinyl from decades
ago and realising that the past didn’t go anywhere. Thank Night School records
for releasing an album that is very addictive – you will most certainly have
too much to dream once you’ve discovered The Space Lady.
Reviewed by C. Agent
