Short of importing Carthusian monks to chant to a backing of balalaikas, Big Chill could do little more but have Eva Abraham complete the musical spectrum, an up and coming folk singer whose talents have been met with rapturous approval by Dazed and Confused magazine amongst others. Her debut album 'Shadow Gazing' is an exquisitely refined record that chronicles her switch to a dance record label where she was the only acoustic artist. However she has assumed this mantle of responsibility admirably, collaborating with David Grey and Neil Barnes of Leftfield.

Hauntingly beautiful!, August 26, 2005
Reviewer: drgwright from Leeds, West Yorkshire United Kingdom

Every now and again a new voice grips your imagination, and Eva Abraham's is one such. It is difficult to describe the quality in her voice - sultry; husky; piercing; disconcerting; but the best I can come up with is haunting. And this album is hauntingly beautiful. Not exactly a bundle of laughs - indeed somewhat intense - her lyrics and music nevertheless stay with you long after playing. Strong stuff, full of passion and belief. I began to compare her with other favourites of mine such as June Tabor and Sinead O'Connor, but the best compliment I can pay her is that she has a voice all of her own. I look forward to her next album, when perhaps we can hear her lighter side.

Shadow Gazing Eva Abraham (Inertia)

Citing Joni Mitchell as a strong influence, Eva Abraham came to notice supporting the likes of David Gray. No wonder. Her exquisite voice and sweet guitar tones and Shadow Gazing are a reflection of an observed interior life that runs the gamut of musical and emotional expressions. The cool, yet beats­propelled 'Glowing Yellow' is the first single, and 'So Fine' is so damn fine it's haunting. Eva Abraham's talent may just be the lasting kind. Go girl.

Plug this into your iPod: Eva Abraham's Shadow Gazing. Eva is a very soulful singer/songwriter, who enchanted everyone at the 'Chill Stage' at last year's Big Chill festival. Indeed the editor was there and was having a very bad day until Eva's set brought the smile back to his face! Her songs have a lovely emotional honesty about them, and she can sing a bit! We understand that she's of Hungarian extraction and has been known to read and write poetry from time to time. Eva and her band also performed at our November NuPoetics event last year

Eva Abraham - Shadow Gazing (Big Chill)

There are many pretenders vying for the angsty female singing/song writing throne, but Eva Abraham neatly surpasses them all. She yelps, croons and whispers her way through this autumnal, atmospheric debut album so effortlessly that you begin to feel as though you might just be privy to the company of greatness; she makes it look easy.

However, her angst isn't facile or decorative, she only applies it sparingly and powerfully, such as with the potent, mind-pricking religious imagery in 'Addiction,' 'I stain these sheets with my sweat and blood and I lie here just for you.' She's quite fond, it seems, of using dramatic Biblical language to make her point as well, in 'Speak Out,' she urges her detractors: 'let s/he who is without sin, speak out.' Lest I mislead anyone, this album shouldn't be tarred with anything as crude as 'female angst,' in some parts it is melancholic, in others happy and angry. There are even some parts where she is thankful, in the gentle, hymn-like 'Today and Everyday,' she intones, 'I know I've been blessed with all the good people.'

Abraham's voice is reminiscent of Beth Gibbons from Portishead, in that not many other singers command such absolute control over their voices; a passionate crescendo never descends into a shout-fest. However, Abraham is more adept at creating light and shade, she can really evoke a mood. Perhaps because of their intense subtlety, the songs can meld into each other a bit. This makes it a perfect album for a soak in the bath, with loads of lit candles in the background. Just don't put it on your Ipod for the bus journey to work, or you may never get there.

We Say: A stunning debut, definitely an album to dig out for solitary 'me' time. We'll undoubtedly hear much more from this girl soon.

Tracklisting: Glowing Yellow - Today and Everyday - Secret Garden - Until - My Fair Breath of Air - It Breaks - So Fine - Where You Are - Addiction - Speak Out - I Wish

Claire Coughlan
July 2005 - Sigla magazine

Eva Abraham - Shadow Gazing (Big Chill)

Somehow singer-songwriter Eva Abraham was once signed to none-more-hip electroclash label City Rockers. Which is weird, since Eva's evocative voice and plaintive guitar strums don't sound like they'd be much improved by a bangin' electro remix. The cosy environs of Big Chill Recordings seems a much more natural home for her talents. This debut album is a fair approximation of her stunning live performances. Intimate and powerful, Eva's husky voice takes the listener on a bluesey journey through the full range of late-night emotions. Portisheads Niven Garland is the producer and bolsters the raw sound with moody strings and eerie instrumentation. Both tough and vulnerable, this is ideal for late-night listening with a bottle of red and a sympathetic person (or animal) within hugging distance.

July 2005
Wave Magazine

Jones, Eva Abraham, Teddy Thompson live review

12-Bar Club, Soho
Monday November 22nd 2004


On my second visit to the 12-Bar Club in two weeks following our very own Chinafight's magnificent headlining gig there, I am beginning to grow fond of this intimate little venue, and am particularly excited as I have grabbed a rare opportunity to see Teddy Thompson, son of musical royalty Richard and Linda.

The first act is a fairly ponderous alt. country styled trio simply called Jones, but then comes a singer named Eva Abraham. Accompanying herself on softly fingerpicked guitar, she is joined by Andy Waterworth playing double-bass to spine-tingling effect. Abraham's voice is a deliciously expressive tool and faced with an unexpected encore, she has the confidence to abandon her guitar and sing with only the double bass. It is this kind of musical confidence, coupled with compelling songs, that leads me to expect great things of Eva Abraham.

Quite contrary to this, Teddy Thompson shows very little regard for the art of stagecraft, and makes no attempt to connect with the audience. Lyrics are forgotten, beginnings fluffed, and on leaving the stage he has to tentatively return to half-hearted applause. Irritatingly, he fails to do a single song from his only released album, but many of his new songs do have a bitchy narcissism that, however badly they portray him, are admirable for their defiant honesty. If Thompson wants to gain anything like the success of his friend Rufus Wainwright he needs to stop being lazy and learn to perform.

Chris Conder

Eva Abraham - Shadow Gazing (Big Chill) Eva Abraham's first major label album is a sumptuous delight. Born to Hungarian and Polish parents and raised in London, she has taken fairly typical 70s singer-songwriter influences and made music that, although not ground breaking, is exemplary. I'm loath to even call her a singer-songwriter, as it has so many negative associations to it, but she is a remarkable singer, with a voice that intertwines itself into the music like ivy, and a supurb songwriter with sophisticated compositions that twist and turn but remain in your mind. Instrumentally, this is no strumalong either, with strings, percussion and keyboards joining a complex multi-tracked choir of Evas. Shadow Gazing isn't a perfect release. The rich production will suit the chill-out crowd, but having seen Eva live I feel that some of her rawness has been hidden away. Furthermore, I would like to see her take a more left-field approach, maybe looking into her intriguing heritage or collaborating with another artist. This should not dissuade you from investigating this album, which unfolds on repeated listens as an ambitious and mesmerising showcase for a significant new songwriting talent.

Shadow Gazing is currently only available via www.bigchill.net, but will soon be on general release.

7/10

Chris Conder

SHADOW GAZING

A soft acoustic feel with an amazing Joni Mitchell cross Norah Jones style singing voice.
Singer/Songwriter Eva Abraham is back with another extraordinary album, but this time without the help of her loyal band Evika. Eva Abraham's beautiful, clear, clean-cut voice is amazingly projected throughout the whole album, and a wide range of instruments is used to show many different musical influences; dominent influences are folk and chill out. Acoustic guitars along with a heavy bass line give the album an Eastern European feel to it. Eva's voice is incredibly clear and easy to pick out the lyrics from. Her voice changes a lot throughout the album from a mature, soft legato style in 'Until' to a high pitched 'Bjork-sounding' voice in 'So fine'. Eva manages to achieve on making beautiful harmonies in songs such as 'Secret Garden' and 'It breaks'.
Eva Abraham has a very unique voice that can fit into very different ranges. Listening to tracks 'Today and everyday', 'My fair breath of air' and 'Speak out' really show you the broad assortment of singing styles Abraham can perform.
The music throughout the album is all very similar; mostly slow, soft acoustic tracks, which makes the album a great coffee table cd. The exception to the album is a slow, eerie song called 'Secret Garden'. In a minor key and a use of strings only as an accompaniment, it makes the song have a creepy sense of feel to it. Also the voice harmonics add to the effect of the song, making it as original as it is. Eva's lyrics are mainly based around love, 'Because I don't want you out of my arms' and 'But I feel you with me'. Also she writes about trying to figure things out, and being free. She uses very independent, positive and curious lyrics, for example, 'I feel free, I feel me, beautiful, sexy'. Eva Abraham writes all her songs, does the vocals and plays the acoustic guitar. She must have put an incredible amount of effort into the album and it definitely shows, and when the album is released, (January 2004) I'm sure she will see just how powerful and different she is.

Katherine Hunt - Nov 2003

Live Gig Guide
Web review

Queen Elizabeth Hall, London - 12th May 2004

...a magical evening of music, begun beautifully by Eva Abraham...

Simon Murray


Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow - 10th May 2004

There are no concessions to commercialism. No tour programmes or t-shirts. Walking into an empty foyer, there is scant evidence that a gig is about to happen. It is just as well that the ticket says 'John Martyn'. Or perhaps this is an early indication that what matters about tonight is the music. Right enough this is not an event for those into elaborate stage shows. Eva Abraham is a good support. Her emotional songs are rendered in solo acoustic versions, although the cd that she sells in low key fashion out of a plastic bag in the interval shows that she can also play with a band.

Ian Thatcher


Fairfield Halls, Croydon - 6th May 2004

A truly exceptional evening. I must just mention the fine support Eva Abraham provided. Although reasonably attended it's a shame that many consider the opening act as an opportunity to simply sample the bar prior to the main event. Eva truly justified her place on this tour with a solo set of self penned songs with instant and provoking appeal that lead me and many others to taking advantage of her cd being on sale during the break.

Chris Keegan


Colston Hall, Bristol - 1st May 2004

We started off with a six song set from a gal with a guitar - Eva Abraham. She was very good - excellent voice. Listen out for the fourth song (assuming no change in the set) - I thought it stood out. I've heard a lot worse support acts.

Dave Clarke

The fabulous EVA ABRAHAM, with her gorgeous blue acoustic fingerstyle (wherein even the squeaks in the finger changes seemed to add a scrumptious percussive effect) was up next and she did 'Beautiful boy' with its extraordinary rhythm, and then 'My lover and me' which begins like an ambling cowboy piece and then changes to an upbeat song, with a sunshiny outlook and bluesy vocals - Eva really growling up the funk in the climaxes, in a soulful and born-in-the-bone musicianship perfectly displayed against her bare, nail-strummed guitar sound. She also sang 'Wouldn't know where to begin': a new song (go Eva!) with a haunting, plucked accompaniment and 'I wish' with its excellent soulful vocal wizardry and powerful lyrics. What a performer!

Kashmir Klub Web review

Eva Abraham 'Glowing Yellow' City Rockers

New City Rockers signing EVA ABRAHAM is destined for big things. One of the most inspiring singer/songwriters to emerge in recent times. Her first single 'Glowing Yellow', is a hunting dynamic, acoustic based offering highlighting her amazing vocal talents. Produced by UK hipster 'Skitz'. Taken from her truly outstanding forthcoming album 'Shadow Gazing'. On the B-Side is a cover of JONI MITCHELL'S legendary 'Blue'.

Review from Big Chill Website

Freddie B's November mellowness

Specially selected for this season of mists and mellow fruitfulness...
T H I N K
Eva Abraham: Shadow Gazing (City Rockers CD)
It's not that often you hear an album that you know you'll be listening to for a long time; most of the music of the moment is just that, a way of revelling in the here and now with real no concern for tomorrow (which of course is exactly as it should be). Some artists, however, seem to exist within the completely different time frame of the long continuum. Certainly this is how Eva Abraham's work strikes me. It seems consciously connected with the whole long tradition of song, encompassing a range of familiar textures - classical, folk and pop - rather than self-consciously striving to be new. Many of these songs will be familiar to those who've heard her play live at the Big Chill and Ronnie Scott's. Yet interestingly, Eva has here chosen to reign in the formidable power of her voice within careful and delicate arrangements that bring her songwriting skills to the fore, heightening the emotional punch of her words (especially on the stunning My Fair Breath of Air and Secret Garden). A beautiful and refreshing album.

John Martyn at the Royal Court Theatre Liverpool

Sunday 16 May 2004

Support act, Eva Abraham showed great promise as an excellent all - rounder. Her disciplined dulcet tones drew parallels with songbird Eva Cassidy. Playing tracks from her forthcoming album Shadow Gazing she proved to be confident and relaxed in delivering her self - penned autobiographical work.

As the album title suggests she's hoping to reach to top, and on the evidence of this set she's heading in the right direction. The CD finds her too controlled, but she found her feet and let rip on some very passionate lyrics, on songs like It Breaks.

Elly Roberts DVDfever.co.uk web review

EVA ABRAHAM - SHADOW GAZING (BIG CHILL RECORDINGS)

About time. 'Shadow Gazing' has already been hailed as a contender for the Mercury Prize and it's been revered by publications such as Time Out, Dazed & Confused and Blues & Soul. But it's been languishing in the music industry's twilight zone for too long ever since its 2001 release was hampered due to financial problems. So singer-songwriter Eva Abraham's much anticipated debut album release through Big Chill Recordings is more welcome than a freezing cold beer on a sweltering hot day.

Why? Because it's about time folks out there were able to get an earful of Eva Abraham's clear-souled tender voice. It's about time Big Chillers who witnessed Eva's tear-jerkingly gorgeous Instrumental-accompanied performance at The Big Chill 2004 can relive those precious moments at home. And, if you've ever heard even a smidgeon, a snippet, just a passing semi-tone of Eva's singing, you'll know it's about time Eva got her dues.

Tracks like 'Glowing Yellow', show Eva's stunning husky voice off to perfection by contrasting her vocals with some spidery scrawled string effects. On production duties was Niven Garland (Portishead) and its dusty deliciousness may well have had his input. Like the best of Morcheeba it's laidback without being dull, melancholy and folksy without being staid. Or take 'It Breaks', deep and mystical building into layers of passionate choral harmonies.

'Today And Everyday' is instantly hummable, Eva's voice pulls you in, only for the strings (provided by Instrumental of course, with Zero 7's Crispin Taylor on drums) to pull you in tighter. Refreshingly, unashamedly emotive. While 'Secret Garden' broaches into Bjork-influenced territory, harps creating an undulating landscape on which Eva's voice wanders freely full of expression, while the downward chromatic sliding chords bite at your soul.

Whether you're listening to the intriguing stop-start of Addiction or the gentle melancholy of 'Speak Out', there's not a track on this album which won't have you either humming along almost instantly or hypnotised by its solemn beauty or moved by the powerful lyrics. Believe. It's about time a singer-songwriter of this calibre had the chance to break free. It's about time the world got to know Eva. And it's about time you heard this record. And once you have, you'll wonder how you got by without it.

Susanna Glaser Big Chill Web Review

The way of things is this:

Along with a couple of hundred other people I went to see Dar Williams at Dingwalls (as was) in September. As the evening started, it appeared that an awful lot of the audience fitted into that most annoying category of gig-goers, the 'we are here to see <> and we will talk all the way through the support acts' category.

OK - so in truth I arrived late and only caught the last 10 minutes of the first act. Next act though……. well, I missed the name over the general din but a few songs in and it's quite obvious from what I can hear that this is GOOD STUFF.

And it's all over far too quickly, and most of it was inaudible. But CDs are on sale, and at the end of the show I wander over, suss the lady's name, and make a purchase.

Luckily where I work people don't mind if you listen to CDs all day - it cuts out the background noise and, in theory anyway, ups your workrate. Yeah, right. The next day Shadow Gazing went into the D:drive, and in truth, took up residency.

Simply - it is a very fine, beautifully crafted album. There are happy bits, there are sad bits. There are bits that are a little maudlin, yet it never sinks into melancholy. At times it is totally uplifting. Throughout the CD you are grabbed by the Voice. This is a voice that makes you realise how weak and tuneless a lot of current popular singers really are. Sure, there are some good singers around, but here is purity, rather than husky, or breathy. The songs themselves are open and honest: there's no mega-production, or fancy playing that's just there to impress

After playing the CD a few times three songs have come to mind - Minnie Riperton's 'Loving You', Phyllis Nelson's 'Move Closer' and Taja Sevelle's 'Love is Contagious'. Not because of the music or the singing necessarily, but because of the purity of the communication of the emotion the singer is feeling. Listen to either 'Today and everyday' or 'So fine'. Some of the songs leave you puzzled as to what they are about ('My fair breath of air'), but still leave you with an image; a feeling that you know the mood of the song, if not the circumstance. I guess not so much songs as aural paintings...

And finally, a big confession. After a few more listenings I was fairly confident that the entire album described the end of an affair, probably with someone else's husband. The order of the songs, and the content, seemed to point in that direction. The opening line of the first song is 'who was the master in this wholly strange affair', and songs like 'So fine', 'Addiction' and 'Speak out' all seem to justify this view. I was totally wrong - the songs just happen to sit nicely in that order. There's no hidden message. I guess I must feel guilty about something….

The songs:

'Glowing Yellow' is the single. A bit Portishead, but a bit Dolly Parton too, and it works. Portishead always sounded like they were hiding behind the armchair in the darkest corner of the room. This is a lot more upfront.

'Today and everyday' is a song of three parts. It starts wrapped in a fur coat, pouring itself down your throat like a fine brandy. It is warm and sensual. Then it sheds the coat and seduces you (you can only feign protest). Finally it's racing across the countryside, probably in a soft-top Mercedes with the hood down, and probably back to its husband. Women will seduce men to this song.

'Secret garden' is one of the sad songs. It's a private song; it's a girl singing to herself. The listener is very much an observer to a very introspective moment: that moment when you know exactly how you feel, and you're willing to totally and utterly submit, and from then on all you envisage is bliss.

'Until' A dark song, a song being sung softly into the ear of your lover as they sleep, before it (the song) climbs out of bed, walks to the window, eases the slats of the venetian blind apart and sings to the wet empty street below. A love song, but not an obvious one. All the things you think, but never say.

'My fair breath of air'. When I tried to work out what this is about, for some reason I thought of Lulworth Cove in Dorset. Very odd. Perhaps it's the mermaids (sirens?) doing the backing vocals.

'It breaks' Sparsely instrumented, but all the time hinting that it could take off. Rock'n'Roll waiting to happen.

'So fine' is a very female song. This is the champagne feeling that courses through the veins when you're in love. It's a song that kicks off its stilettos and wraps itself in pure ivory coloured silk sheets. It's carefree. It's dancing barefoot on the sand. Sure, others have trodden this path before, but here the song is being lived, not sung. Probably the song of the CD, beautifully sung, and, with a bit of radio play, easily a summer hit.

'Where you are' Actually, it does get a bit melancholic. Right about now. A sad song

'Addiction' A lot of women will associate with this - I think. Probably the song that convinced me the whole album was about adultery. Forbidden fruit is the tastiest fruit of all

'Speak out' A very simple, gentle, beautiful song. Beautifully sung - the Voice at its best

'I wish' Track ten and a half. Another sad one, but with it's positives. Just voice and guitar. A song of loss - sometimes you do know which one is the last goodbye, and you don't want to go, but always there comes the point when you turn on your heels and leave. Do you look back? You know you mustn't, then regret you didn't. Life is indeed a b*tch.

Alan Wilkinson 23/12/03

"So damn fine it’s haunting. Eva Abraham’s talent may just be the lasting kind. Go girl!"
Virgin In-flight Magazine (UK Australia)

"Excellent soulful vocal wizardry and powerful lyrics. What a performer!"
Kashmir Klub

"A woman who shatters the image of the female singer/songwriter"
Dazed and Confused

"Fresh, emotive and seductive. Great songwriting and arrangements. ‘Secret Garden is almost epic in its emotional depth. A contender for next years Mercury Prize."
Impro Management
(2 Banks of 4/Giles Peterson)

"Delivering the most beautiful lyrics. An artist to discover"
Les Inrocks . France

"Eva Abraham’s beautiful, clear, clean-cut voice is amazingly projected throughout the whole album."
LiveGigGuide.com

"Its not often you hear an album you know that you’ll be listening to for a long time. A beautiful refreshing album."
Freddie B BigChill.net

"One of the most inspiring singer/songwriters to emerge in recent times."
Inertia, Australia

"Lush and tender work that beautifully showcases Eva’s pure and evocative voice"
Time Out

"Eva uses her voice with great clarity, tinted by emotion and at points standing your hairs on end."
Blues and Soul

'Your beautiful voice really touches me'

'Wonderful voice and lyrics'

Trexcelant.......Excellent!'

'Your vocals were the highlight of the evening'

'I was totally captivated'

'Totally excellent;

'I saw you at the Big Chill this year (2003) you were the highlight!'

'Fantastic...thank you:-)'

'Your voice has immense beauty'

'What a great songwriter...such a beautiful voice...you will be a success for sure'

'Instantly captivated'

'A beautifully crafted album'

'A purity... open and honest'

'I've been immediately touched!'

'You have a wonderful soulful voice'

'Superbe Album Eva! Toutes tes chansons sont comme un souffle de pureté caressant nos pensée...love love. When you come in FRANCE around Nantes? :))'

'Cant wait to see you play again!! I LOVED the CD, it was beautiful, really really brilliant!'

'Thank for your music, it is magnificent !'

J'ust wanted to say you were amazing'

'wow, just heard you on bbc mcr and am astounded by your awesome, powerful and sensual music. thankyou xxx'

'It's so true what they say - it's about time you got your dues!'

'Came across your website whilst looking to see if you'd made any more albums. Got your CD a few months ago. Your lyrics are beautiful and inspiring and have helped me thru' a few ups and downs! When's the next album out?'

'I've had your C.D since seeing you support Dexy's last year..love the 'new' production, it doesn't take away from the original beauty :-)...nice one! X'

'Saw you at John Martyn gig in Dublin. Loved it when are you coming back!'

'Your album is beautiful!'