Charlie Dore has had a colourful career. She has been a pop star, best-known for her 1979 hit Pilot of the Airwaves. She has been an actress. She has been a prolific songwriter, covered by the likes of Sheena Easton, George Harrison and Celine Dion. And now she is becoming a DIY success on the folk circuit, still in great voice and writing highly original songs. Her latest album was recorded at home, with help from co-writer and multi-instrumentalist Julian Littman and friends from the folk scene, and matches her gift for strong melody with lyrics about birth, death and the music industry. All These Things is a brave, poignant song about IVF, Best Man for the Job is a cleverly constructed story of a neglected bride, while Three A Penny is a gently furious protest about downloading, with harmony vocals from the great O’Hooley & Tidow. Entertaining and original.
