Album Review: Pam Jackson, Dream a Little Bigger

Irish singer Pam Jackson was born into a family drenched in the country music of Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Susan McCann, and it shows on this, her second album. A trip to Nashville spawned her first LP, the much-touted Guardian Angels, which was brimful of country music staples. Follow-up Dream A Little Bigger comes with a more contemporary feel, with 13 original songs of love, loss and optimism written by Nashville’s finest.

First up is ‘Line In A Song’, buoyed by Jackson’s expressive vocal about a troubled relationship. The title track immediately brings a ray of optimism and resilience, its boogaloo vibes sure to fill country music dancefloors. Issues of anxiety and mental wellbeing are flagged by the moody piano intro on ‘Stay’, while ‘Fly On The Wall’ has steel guitar and downhome harmonies to the fore. Elsewhere, ‘Bad Taste’ ticks all the country boxes with its finger-clicking rhythm, swaying fiddle, honky-tonk piano and steel geetar.

Throughout the album, Jackson’s voice fits snugly, untarnished by the Americanisms that infected Irish country in the past. With top-notch production and masterful musicianship, the album plays it straight down the middle. But when it sounds this good, there’s precious little reason to complain.

8/10