Barbara McDonald from Philadelphia PA headed up our long distance travelling artists in the new year with her music partner John Perkins who is based here in Hereford. A review of her debut album Madmen & Lovers says "Soulful vocals, well-crafted songs, and imaginatively varied production set this debut album apart from the current glut of female pop singers. Sounding neither angry nor mousy -- the two main paradigms lately -- BARBARA McDONALD sings in a gutsy, sincere style informed by classic soul, Joni Mitchell, and Rickie Lee Jones.
Having gone to hear McDonald and Perkins perform an acoustic club set after enjoying this disc, I would say, however, that "live" is the context in which this material sounds the best." - Steve Holtje, formerly editor of CD Now, New York.
A collection of new and old original songs can always be expected from these two, who for part of the set were augmented by other musicians, Colette Nicholls on bass and Cyndy Styth on drums (both individual singer/songwriters in their own right).

Home grown and outstanding singer songwriter, Louise Richardson can be seen this month, and is well known for her appearances with The Accord, but is now working solo singing many more of her own songs, mixed with less commonly covered songs by the likes of Kate Bush and Sarah McLachlan.