Tammy Payne: Viva Outsider

Viva Outsider is Tammy Payne's first album under her own name: original songs that mix blues, folk, jazz and soul influences together to create a stunning collection.

Payne emerged in the early '90s, recording a superb cover of Deniece Williams' "Free" and the dance hit "Take Me Now." She's recorded sporadically since then, with bands such as Boca 45 and Smith & Mighty. In 2012 she recorded an album of classic folk and rock songs credited to Tamco (Don't Think Twice, Edition Records). And now there's Viva Outsider.

The title track typifies Payne's talent for composition and performance—in particular, her talent as a lyric writer. It's a slinky if rather dark celebration of "a freewheeler, a doing it as I feel-er" as well as a put-down of someone with "a clique" whose expected to "go jump through their hoop." Dan Moore's gritty keyboard and Neil Smith's electric guitar give the tune the intensity to match Payne's lyrics.

There are moments on "Talk To Me Instead" when Payne is almost a dead ringer for Rickie Lee Jones—especially when she half sings half speaks ..."you'll have to drive her out of your crazy head." That's it though. Payne makes no attempt at boho chic, no pretence at West Coast affectation (well, not west coast: the album was recorded in Bristol, in England's west country). Her vocal technique is impressive—clear, precise—but it's not simply about technique. She's exceptionally soulful, with a storyteller's gift for immersing herself in the tales she tells. Delve into any of these songs and there'll be at least one lyrical gem to enjoy: each song tells its tale with inventive imagery and a pleasing lack of cliché.

What are these tales? Sometimes they're about love; sometimes they're sung in the first person; sometimes they're about others—enigmas such as the woman in "All Hands To Butter Go" who'll ..."tear your heart out while you blink" or the titular character on the folky "Black Eyed Lucy."

On the gentle "Lipstick Kiss" Payne's vocal is uncharacteristically fragile, plaintive—it's a shift that suits the story and its lonely protagonist who "feels so out of place." "Raise A Glass," just Payne's voice and Denny Ilett's acoustic guitar, combines a jaunty tune with funny lyrics—but the snappy one liners barely hide an underlying sadness.

The band is another gem. Producer Jim Barr's bass on the quirky blues of "Some People," Smith's guitar on "Territorial Din" or "She," Matthew Jones' drumming on "She" all grab immediate attention but there's never a point at which the players fall short of the demands of the songs.

Listening to Viva Outsider isn't always a comfortable experience: Payne's narratives explore failure, loss, loneliness, fragility with honesty and passion. Her lyrics reveal more and more with repeated listening, the combination of voice and instruments is dramatic and moving. Not always comfortable, but Viva Outsider is an experience that shouldn't be missed. An outstanding album.