Ask Me No Questions

by Bridget St. John

Overview

Bridget St. John's first album was a wholly acoustic, almost wholly solo folk affair, though different from many British folk albums of the time in that it was comprised entirely of self-composed material. St. John sang low-key, reflective, slightly sad songs that were unsurpassed, really, in their extraordinary level of containment. That's not say they were brilliant, or even as good as those of another British singer/songwriter of the time known for reserved meditations, Nick Drake. There was, however, the sense of an unflappable woman whose temperature would remain unchanged by nothing short of an equatorial sun. Her deep voice makes her sound at times rather like a Nico who can sing more in tune, without Nico's gothic or more bizarre streaks. Perhaps there's a tinge of Francoise Hardy without the pop sensibility, too, if you're looking for another comparison. It's music for wandering through meadows on overcast days, though a sameness to the presentation (the slide guitar on "Many Happy Returns" makes for a welcome dash of urgency) and a lack of excellent melodies can make it easy for one's mind to wander. [A 2006 reissue on Cherry Red adds two bonus tracks to the disc: a cover of Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne" and "The Road Was Lonely," a track used as the b-side of the "Passing Thru" single released on MCA.] ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	02/21/2006
Label:	Cherry Red
UPC:	5013929128224
Rank:	257974

Tracks

1. To 8 Without a Hitch
2. Autumn Lullaby
3. Curl Your Toes
4. Like Never Before
5. The Curious Crystals of Unusual Purity
6. Barefeet and Hot Pavements
7. I Like to Be with You in the Sun (Song for the Laird of Connaught Hall)
8. Lizard-Long-Tongue Boy
9. Hello Again (Of Course)
10. Many Happy Returns
11. Broken Faith
12. Ask Me No Questions
13. Suzanne
14. The Road Was Lonely

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bridget St. John   Primary Artist
John Martyn   Guitar
Ric Sanders   Guitar
Dominic   Bongos

Technical Credits

Leonard Cohen   Composer
Mike Ross   Engineer
Bridget St. John   Composer,Cover Design
Ray Stevenson   Photography
John Peel   Producer
Peter Sanders   Photography
William S. Harvey   Cover Design
Nigel Cross   Essay