SINGLE REVIEW: HANNAH WHITE - FORGIVE ME

It's been a little while since we've heard any new music from Hannah, she has of course been getting used to playing the venues she deserves supporting the likes of Jools Holland and Tom Jones. It does bring a smile to the face of #TEAMw21 that patrons to the Royal Albert Hall should hopefully have got to hear the likes of "Car Crash" and the many gems that nestle in Hannah's repertoire.

The other pull on her time is of course the Sound Lounge, which despite doing so much for the local community seems to forever be at the whim of an unsympathetic council, despite the fact they do so much good.

This latest single "Forgive Me" is in fact a cover of Jools Holland song that was performed by Tom Jones, and of course in the line of duty, #TEAMw21 did give it a spin, where it finds Sir Tom in a most gospel, bluesy state of mind, Hannah's take on this song is a live cut with husband Kieron on slide guitar with her favourite Nordic personnel, Lars Hammersland on piano and Svein Henning Berstad on bass, joining Nigel Appleton providing percussion.

The opening is mainly piano with Kieron's guitar just adding a little flourish of activity before Hannah opens her vocals. #TEAMw21 have always said that Hannah is one of the UK's most authentic country sounding voices, and here she channels something from within, that really embodies the sound of someone seeking forgiveness for some terrible misdeed.

"There's just one way, that I can say

Please forgive me for what I've done

I sang so low, now I want you to know

Please forgive me for what I've done"

Little additional music is required or provided, the most minimal of percussion, the warmest of bass produce all the backing that Hannah needs, especially on the singing of the word "sun" where all of that singing in large venues is well and truly brought to the fore.

"Forgiveness is such sweetness

From the rain, out comes the sun

Now I've seen my weakness

And I'm sorry for all that I've done

You're bigger than me, and if you agree

To forgive me for what I've done"

A short piano and guitar combination provide a break, it is as if the recipient of the plea is contemplating their next move. However it is Hannah that returns to once more plead her case in the most Patsy Cline like of vocals, at one point once more shaking the rafters. The "Before I go" line carries a lot of weight, it suggests an acceptance that things may not be totally reversible yet still there is the need to hear forgiveness.

"Before I go, I want you to know

Please forgive me for what I've done"

The final line is repeated three times and the song closes on an ominous downbeat piano chord.

It's undoubtedly a piece of high drama, nothing is really explained about what transgression has been committed, so the gravity can only be inferred from the delivery of the singer and Hannah is able to give it the seriousness the song requires.