SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MARY HOPKIN & JESSICA LEE MORGAN – TWO HEARTS

Mary Hopkin & Jessica Lee Morgan
Two Hearts
Mary Hopkin Music

Jessica Lee Morgan comes from a very talented family. Her father is famed producer and musician Tony Visconti and her mother is Welsh singer Mary Hopkin. She has performed with her father, most notably with the Holy Holy project. Her mother has appeared on her albums and she has appeared on her mother’s, but they have never recorded an entire album together. Until now, that is, as the two have come together here on Two Hearts.

Two Hearts opens with “Tomorrow”, which is  a perfect introduction to the album and the perfect vehicle for both singers. This leads beautifully into the first of three covers, “Why Worry”, which is the perfect answer to the issues raised in “Tomorrow”. It is wonderful sequencing and this version is absolutely sublime. Other covers include a very sparse “Eternal Flame” which has beautiful arrangements. The other cover is a version of a Kate and Anna McGarrigle song, “My Town”, which rivals the original.

As good as the covers are, it is the originals here that really elevates Two Hearts into its own universe. A couple of songs are rereleases, such as “Here It All Comes Again”,  but here, with Hopkin, is pure magic. It features a new arrangement and the voices together are stunning.

“Sail With Me” features a beautiful piano-based arrangement, and is heartbreaking.  “You’ve Got Everything”, which could easily be semi-autobiographical for either of them, is a perfect pop/rock tune. It also features an incredible guitar solo from brother Morgan Visconti, which adds so much to the song.

Two Hearts is a perfect balance of pop and folk with a little bit of country thrown in as well. Each song stands on its own but they all fit together to form a cohesive and thoroughly enjoyable album. Hopkin has an incredible history and legacy but keep in mind she has released nine studio albums since 2008. She is much more than her older hits, and this album, along with her other music deserves to be heard.

Two Hearts shows off the best of these two artists. It has a timeless quality to it, while at the same time is of the here and now. Both Hopkin and Morgan sound amazing solo, and together they are an unbeatable duo. The album is full of wonderful, strong, and melodic songs with stellar vocals. This album cannot be recommended highly enough.

Mary Hopkin Links

Jessica Lee Morgan Links