Diving for Pearls
Now Available

To Vixen Homepage

sleeve.jpg (16346 bytes)
Click Album Cover for Lyrics and Soundbytes



"…consistent quality."
MAKING MUSIC


"Wherever you dive into this CD, you're certain to emerge with a glistening genuine pearl of a song...an inordinately fine CD."
TRADITIONAL MUSIC MAKER

"...a masterpiece."
TWEEDDALE PRESS

"A swinging soulful mix which cleverly manages to sound pleasingly familiar and highly original at the same time, full of subtle and unexpected surprises."
BBC RADIO SCOTLAND

"A perfect debut of beautifully honest songs."
RADIO BORDERS



Order this book about Joe Louis, the great American boxer and inspiration for Allie's song Joe Louis Blues.

 


"Diving for Pearls….a beautiful debut album." MOJO

"…a really exceptional release." MUSIC WEEK

"…a really nice album." BOB HARRIS, BBC RADIO 2


Diving for Pearls is the landmark debut album of singer-songwriter and guitarist Allie Fox.

Since its release in October 2000 Diving for Pearls has attracted major national media acclaim including Q, Mojo and Music Week. Bob Harris has given it airplay on his BBC Radio Two programme. Press reviews include Folk Roots, Rock'n'Reel, Traditional Music Maker, The Independent, The Musician, Making Music, The Edinburgh Evening News, Daily Herald and The Sunday Post.

Diving for Pearls is a classic collection of Allie's "warm, accessible compositions...." (Mojo) including "Joe Louis Blues", Allie's powerful and epic tribute to the great American boxer, and the haunting "I Was Wrong" about homelessness. Characterised by her "distinctive voice and meticulous guitar work" (Folk Roots), rich layers of vocal harmony, multi-textured arrangements and full-bodied production, Diving for Pearls has received almost universal praise. With songs full of catchy hooks and well-crafted lyrics, and a warm emotive voice at times reminiscent of the late great Sandy Denny, Diving for Pearls is a truly eclectic album appealing to a wide audience, transcending genre barriers and defying categorisation.

The album features some of Scotland's finest session musicians, including jazz guitarist John Rutherford (Mike Heron Band), percussionist Dave Haswell (Fish, Capercaillie), Gavin Dickie on fretless bass (Eclectic Shock, The Boogie Band), Ron Shaw on cello (Cauld Blast Orchestra, Boys of the Lough), and record producer Iain McKinna on keyboards. There are also special guest appearances from "Braveheart" piper Jimi McRae and The Capriccio String Quartet from Glasgow.

Diving for Pearls was produced by top Scottish producer Iain McKinna of Offbeat Scotland Studios in Edinburgh. His work has been described as "state of the art" by Ohm magazine and includes the acclaimed "Where the Mystics Swim" by ex-Incredible String Band member Mike Heron and Solas by Talitha MacKenzie which reached No 3 in the European World Music Charts.

It is unusual for a major UK record distributor to give an exclusive deal to a small independent label on the strength of just one release, but in 2000 Vixen Records was signed to leading independent distributor, Koch International, for exclusive distribution in the UK. Koch (now RSK) was an international company with divisions in the USA, Canada, Europe and the UK, where it represented artists ranging from Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes, Motorhead and Paul Rodgers to Lesley Garrett, Lucy Kaplansky and Thea Gilmore. This ensured that Diving For Pearls was on sale in all major chains and record shops throughout Britain.

Allie Fox gratefully acknowledges the support of Scottish Borders Enterprise, HSBC and Jedburgh Press.

To Vixen Homepage