Nia – Artist’s Heart

Description

Artist’s Heart is an album by the British singer Nia, independently released in the UK on Nia International Activities in 1999. Also released in the US on Global Music Ministries, distributed by Diamante Music Group. The album was recorded January 1999 by Andrew Coughlan at Kings Palace in Swansea, UK; with Mal Pope and Nigel Hopkins producing. (Vocals recorded by Nigel Hopkins.) Mixed by Tim Hamill. All songs written by Nia Jones (lyrics) and Mal Pope (music).

Featuring Nia on lead vocals, backed by Nigey Nige on acoustic piano, keyboards, Hammond organ, and accordion; Mal Pop on acoustic guitar and additional piano; Tim Hamill on electric guitar; Andrew Coughlan on bass; Ryan Aston on drums; and Peter King on percussion. Backing vocals provided by Sheila Park and Mal Pope.

Hindsight is always 20/20 – so the saying goes. Comparing work released in 1999 with stuff put out 10 or more years earlier can be counter-productive, but nevertheless it’s sometimes fascinating to see how a singer’s style, material and performance has altered (for better or worse), and speculate on the reasons why. In the case of Nia, the last dozen years, since she made her recording debut in 1987 for the old Pulse/Ears & Eyes label, have seen improvement in all areas. In the sleevenotes to ‘Artist’s Heart’ she confesses that, when she listens to the songs, she often hears a tired, frustrated young woman who’s struggling with spinning all the plates of life – and the sense of honesty and vulnerability is clear in 11 original numbers that she and Mal Pope have written for the album. «Colours Of The Artist’s Heart» conveys the mood perfectly: “Each colour tells a story of tragedy and glory/ The good, the bad, the ugly, making one fine piece of art/ The white would not seem bright if the black were not so dark/ ‘Cos life is learning the colours of the Artist’s heart.” The feel is pop-cum-country, the production is impeccable, her voice has never been better, and this is in my humble opinion the best thing she’s ever done. A fine album with the potential to gain the support of American Christian radio. [Trevor Kirk, Cross Rhythms, October 1999]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/artists-heart/1718431198)

CD tracklist:

01. Martha – 3:36
02. Reading, Knowing – 4:36
03. Tomorrow – 3:23
04. Colours of the Artist’s Heart – 3:41
05. Do You Get the Picture? – 4:33
06. Leftovers – 3:01
07. Boomerang – 4:42
08. Jekyll and Hyde – 3:04
09. Goodbye for the Last Time – 4:58
10. I’d Do Anything – 4:05
11. Better Than I Know Myself – 3:12