Back to Talis Homepage
It blew my head off. I love it.
Rand Bellavia, of US-based alternative rock band 'Ookla the Mok'
"Archetype Café … conveys a world of imaginative personalities who are not exactly lost for words… dark places in Talis's world that I would not care to visit… also places I would love to go. If she does find out where Archetype Café is now, I hope she'll save a seat for me."
Hilary Robinson, N I, comics writer
"Unique and exciting sound… intricate and beautiful lyrics"
Tom Jeffers, Canada, radio host & producer
Talis calls her music 'Urban Wardrobe'... it's a perfect description. Come in & rummage for a while. Each song is distinctive... beautiful voice, strong, clear and passionate. Her songs have the extraordinary ability to touch parts of your soul you usually keep hidden.
Joules Taylor, UK, author of 'The Little Book of Celtic Myths'
"Like the proverbial spider, singer/songwriter Talis Kimberley, one of Bristol's best kept secrets, has that innate ability to create a musical web of lyrical imagery of human feelings and emotions that beckons the receptive listener and entices them in. Talis' latest recording, "Archetype Café" is a poignant masterpiece of magical charm, invention and gentle beauty that effectively uses mood and atmosphere to craft a real little 'gem'.
This young musician has an unforced style that is very endearing and one that grows on you the more that you listen to her. On "Archetype Café" there are no fillers among the twelve original songs presented by Talis, that focus on lyrics that are both soul-searching and universal. Fans of Talis are sure to lap up this self-assured and well produced offering, and "Archetype Café" should attract the attention of quite a few more."
Lyle Skinner, Canada, Reviewer and radio host
Her voice is clear and bewitching, her musical talent manifold
Peter von Freyburg, writing in Hochster Krasblatt, Frankfurt, Germany (translated by Juliane Honisch)
Highly original Bristol-based singer/songwriter... She's got an amazing voice, so let's hope the site will include audio soon.
Talis Kimberley stepped in ... to play a haunting original set.
Dee Jarlett / Martin Hanstead, Venue
A prolific talent... every track was a peach.
Frank Blades, Feedback Magazine
Talis Kimberley is beyond comparison. Her talent, her music, is constantly good if not excellent. Her live performance (unplugged, at that) at the Greenmantle birthday celebration accentuated her artistry.
Paul Pearson, Greenmantle
[with Alchemy] However, highlight of the musical programme was Alchemy, who advertise themselves as doing Solar Madrigals. Two females with staggeringly beautiful voices whether singing solo or duet and another group member to accompany them. Between them they play guitar, mandolin, flute and recorder. These people are good, and ended up playing a final set on the Sunday, back by popular demand.
Sally Harvey, at Mabinogicon
Uffington Hill, a new 3-item EP on cassette is a preview from Talis Kimberley of her current project, "Corwin and the Crows". Since this was recorded on a 4-track machine with a professional sound engineer Talis was able to sing and play all the parts herself, a great help in getting across the atmnosphere of the more personal lyrics heard in two of the tracks, "The Face Within" and "Secret Garden".
The felicities of the musical arrangements are many, such as the bouncing, horse-riding rhythm of mandolin and guitar on "Uffington Hill" (The title track) or the rich low register flute work that shadows and frames the vocal line. I particularly liked the placing of the voice duet with the A-B flat chord change in the refrain of "The Face Within" and the wordless harmony vocals on "Secret Garden".
A welcome part of the package is the accompanying lyric sheet with guitar chords, not to mention a gloss to each text - a convenient handhold for anyone coming for the first time to Talis's brand of ideas and imagery.
Richard Wheatley, WiGGLe
I've never met Talis but I've heard a lot about her from friends, and, having listened to this three track demo tape, I now know why.
The songwriting is simply brilliant and Talis has a beautiful voice.
These songs are lyrical and Pagan without being pretentious or blandly evident in their meaning. Her style is clear with simple guitar backing which really supports clear words which are really sung (a rare talent it seems these days!) Why a tape!I want CD's, massive concerts! This woman is really gifted. What marks her out is that she can write songs like D Previn or Sandy Denny. Some big company is bound to snap her up and very soon I think. Buy this tape (which is also nicely engineered) and sample the Talis Magick. She's certainly cast her spell over me.
JSV, Pagan Voice
Until reading a rave review in Pagan Voice I had never heard of Talis Kimberley. Receiving a copy of Uffington Hill made me wonder WHY I'd not heard of her. The three tracks contained on this tape made me hungry for more. Talis's songwriting is excellent and the music superb. The folksy melodies enhanced by her beautiful voice are catchy without being monotonous and quite captivating. A multi-instrumentalist, Talis is simply superb and a gifted musician. Simply a beautiful and highly recommended piece of aural art.
Paul Pearson, Greenmantle
Another excellent offering from singer/songwriter Talis Kimberley but what's this? There's a Toad on the B side! This dual venture provides the listener with two excellent artists for the price of one. Zander does, well, weird stuff for the most part, a bit like Michael Moorcock set to music (I guess), some good numbers, sometimes the vocals stray out of line a bit but worthwhile listening and well mixed. Talis does her guitar and gal bit with some wonderful lyric songs. 'Pagan Angel' , despite the 'in your face' title is a wonderful song, a real Sapphic lovesong, (or is it?) . Good value too for 20 tracks with a nice cover design which is available as a postcard print. Talis in particular needs to be listened to; she's got (as I said before) a great voice, and is definitely one of the best and most genuine lyricists I've heard for a long while.
JSV, Pagan Voice
This twenty track tape is certainly value for money, if only for the amount of music on it. However, it is the quality not quantity that is important. The cassette is actually two albums on one tape. The first side showcasing the talents of Ms Kimberley whilst the second side gives us a taste of Zander Nyrond. Ancient Sky ... gives a more varied look at Talis's versatility. It's a fine recording - the songs varied in style and approach are, dependant on the listener's taste, nicely put together, and Ms Kimberley's talent shines through on every track. ... Talis Kimberley's work is original, refreshing and enjoyable.
Paul Pearson, Greenmantle
Talis Kimberley sings and plays a pagan-inspired and sensitive folk which in my opinion evokes Celtic contexts. She plays mandolin, guitar, flute and percussion. Her voice is definitely remarkable and eloquent. Some of the beat and music is derived from progressive rock, but the tone remains mainly gentle, never falling into aggression. Keyboard arrangements enrich the whole giving a contemporary touch to the age-less folk of Talis Kimberley. ... A tape certainly worth getting!
Chalice Magazine
Talis Kimberley is beyond comparison. Her talent, her music, is constantly good if not excellent. Her live performance (unplugged, at that) at the Greenmantle birthday celebration accentuated her artistry. Her new recording, Icarus' Sister, confirms her as one of the best original artists in her field.
Recorded on 8-track, this tape excels at demonstrating Ms Kimberley's diversity and skill at projecting her songs in an appreciative manner. The improved recording production also puts the tape a good head and shoulders above her previous work, and the content is just as pleasing. 'Mon Seul Desir', one of the three tracks, has the haunting lyricism, while 'The Kelpie Woman and Me' takes us right back into a fantasy realm. The three tracks are up to usual standards, and her versatility on guitar, mandolin and flute are nicely highlighted alongside her ethereally captivating voice. Don't take my word for it - buy it.
Paul Pearson, Greenmantle
Icarus' Sister has the same three part format as Uffington Hill - handy lyric sheet and all - and is the best studio recording yet in capturing the sound of Talis' singing voice.
This liveliness in the vocal sound finds a ready counterpart in the emotional charge of the three songs on the tape. The title track rides that pride in achievement against the odds, and "Mon Seul Desir" finds desire and wonder in the world of a mediaeval tapestry. "The Kelpie Woman and Me" has that sense of exaltation in outwitting a tricky character, yet pushes along with the energy of a good circle dance.
The musical arrangements build well through each song, and a couple of surprises particularly caught my attention. The very start of "Mon Seul Desir" has the multi-tracked flute sounding exactly like a mediaeval portative organ - which features in the original tapestries that hang in Cluny. And just as the last chord is fading in "The Kelpie Woman", one's hand is stayed on the 'stop' button as a wordless vocal emerges with the refrain for a final time. All in all, well worth the price for this EP - so when is the LP coming out?
Richard Wheatley, WiGGLe.