Merrilyn Simmons – Smiling at Strangers

“The new CD by this NSW singer was recorded with mostly Vic-torian musicians. Merrilyn has a very unusual timbre in her voice which is immediately distinctive and (to me) also likeable – a Ittle simmilar to the way Tiffany Eckhardt has a very special sound. 12 new songs, recorded with a great backing group consiting of Rose Bygraves, Dave Steel, Sandy Gibbney, Jonathan Jones and Wayne Simmons. Although I like the sound of her voice and the songs she writes, the gentle eveness in the vocals can sometimes take away from the strenth of the songs and its power to express them and therfore some songs are more convincing than others. But a pleasant album of quality music making.” Review by Dieter Bajzak.