My Star Is Shining

It’s been a long time since the last Harvest Ministers album, but then time is something that you feel this band of like-minded musical souls don’t really worry about. Will Merriman’s merry men have been peddling their brand of what could loosely be described as alternative country since before the genre was so-named – they’ve always been ahead of their time, so to speak. They have always had a knack with a slightly off-kilter melody that snags in your head and won’t let go, as it wisps its willowy charms deeper and deeper into your cranium. But enough of songs fitted with esoteric fishing hooks, what of the tunes?

Opener ‘The Warmest Heart’ is one of the most beautiful, gentle, magical songs they have ever recorded. ’21 November Orchids’ muddies the waters somewhat, courtesy of some scorching electric guitar – Neil Young eat your heart out. Miriam Ingram chips in some glorious harmonies on ‘Beautiful Vagabond’, while Sarah Fox does the same on both ‘Surrendering My Heart’ and ‘If She Wants You’, the latter seemingly the first love-song about stalking.

The arrangements are deceptively simple and unfussy, while Merriman’s voice is a fragile yet wondrous instrument, from the whispers of ‘Saved By The Love Of You’ or the stunning ‘When I Became Yours’ to the more world-weary ‘Don’t Break A Heart You Don’t Know’ or the aching title track, which could send shivers down the spine of the heartless.

The themes are those age-old chestnuts of love lost and gained, served up with style, grace and a heart on the sleeve honesty, lending My Star Is Shining a timeless quality that deserves to become a much-cherished part of record collections the world over. The fact is, Will Merriman’s songs predate Ryan Adams by a good decade or so and chances are if he was American, the world would already be worshipping at the Ministers’ table. Hopefully, it’s a case of better late than never.