The CD features 14 tracks and is a mixture of traditional material and self-penned including "Sleep Well 'till Morning" (Winner - Song for the Sea Competition, Scarborough Seafest 2008) and "Hearth Song" (Winner - Ryedale Folk Festival Songwriting Competition 2009). Wendy has collaborated with several musicians including the Hartlepool based trio, The Young 'Uns, and members of her own band, Blind Summat!, to give a rich and diverse musical sound throughout. The tradititional songs are presented in her own, sometimes radical arrangements and the self penned songs touch on subjects as diverse as; the decline of the Scottish Fishing industry, the kidnap of a BBC journalist in Gaza, her own Grandparents and dolphin surveying in the North Sea! "I think we're destined to hear more of her voice and guitar - brilliant singer - a gem." Saltburn International Folk Festival “I'm sure I am not the only one watching her progress with a measure of keen anticipation.” Dave Goulder “one of the best growing song-writing talents in the area” Richard Grainger Album Review: Tim Carroll, Folkwords: When you hear some albums you know from the first that it will be a thorough pleasure. As the vocals kick in with the opening track on ‘Seeds of Fools’ (the second album by Wendy Arrowsmith) you know this is one such album. And what a change an album makes. The musical ground Wendy has covered between this work of art and her first album is nothing short of vast - and her debut ‘Now Then?’ was no mean album. If you heard that and liked it then prepare to fall in love with this. Wendy’s voice sounds even better this time around. It still carries the same depth and control but now there’s a feeling of more richness and latent power. Throughout the album this new-found potent vocal authority reflects through each song. Arrowsmith‘Seeds of Fools’ blends remarkable self-penned songs with inventive variations on traditional tunes – a balance that works to perfection. The first track confirms that. I’ve heard many versions of ‘The Blacksmith’ but none better than this. The voice, fiddle and cello are just right. And while on the subject of flawless songs, ‘Holy Ground’ is breathtaking, Wendy’s voice adds a mixture of longing and beauty to Steve Bailey’s moving song. ‘Cruel Mother’ is another example of her developing vocals - the song loves her slightly lower register as it adds so much expression. Wendy's storytelling songs hold you rapt. ‘The Ribbon’ I could listen to all day. (I nearly did as I hit ‘replay’ to have it carry me round the hateful M25). There’s a chorus to catch your ears and lyrics that place faith in the past and fear for the future. And the accent added by the banjo gives just the right edge. ‘Archie and Daisy’ builds its story around her grandparents, and I’ve rarely heard a more moving tribute. Unless you’ve had your heart surgically removed and replaced with a lump of granite it’s a tear-jerker. Think you’ve heard every variation on the ‘gypsy laddie’ theme? Then listen to Wendy’s delivery of ‘The Gypsy Laddie’. It’s garden-fresh, and never were whistle, congas and bodhran better matched. Again, her original touch on the traditional adds new life to ‘Twa Recruitin’ Sargeants’. When it hits the mark it’s hard to beat guitar and voice to carry pure beauty, with ‘Seeds of Fools’ - a simply beautiful song, simple as that. By contrast ‘Gaza to Argyll’ is as tough as they come and makes you thankful for your own situation. This collection of storytelling songs takes you from the depths to the heights as Wendy’s voice brings each one to life. Some sad, some joyous, some hopeful - together they make this album perfect. Album Review: Almond Greenaway: We had a ‘Folk Group’ in my school, the teacher who ran it was a great man, he taught me much. He said when you sing, sing as if you are singing to one very special person in the corner of the room and every one in the audience will know that you are singing for them. I do not know if Wendy Arrowsmith had the same teacher as me, I doubt it because I went to a boys school in South London, she was raised in ....Glasgow.... and I, surely, have a good few years on her ! Nonetheless it seems to me that in her live performance and on her studio recordings Wendy makes her audience feel as though they are that special person in the corner, well that is how she makes me feel, and I am no more or less special than anyone else. ‘Seeds of Fools’ is a great, second, album which brings a mix of traditional folk songs, sparkling with new energy, and some terrific new songs which have a traditional magic about them. Wendy makes tunes that you think you already know, she writes lyrics that you, some how, think you heard before, but you think again and realise that they are absolutely brand spanking new. I have never got on so well with the superficial songs that are said to be great simply because they sold more copies than any other, to me there is something more to a great song than just catching the ear of the masses. Take a glimpse at some of the great songs Wendy has come up with ‘The Ribbon’ it makes me feel that I am on the dock side, experiencing something I have never experienced………. ‘Archie and Daisy’ a touching true life drama without which may be this review would never have been written…….. ‘Counting Dolphins’ takes me stright to the cliffs of ..Cullen.. ..Bay.. in North East Scotland and the ruins of ....Finlater.. ..Castle.... searching the waves for Bottle Nose Dolphins…… ‘....Gaza.... to Argyll’ song is about protest as much as anything and it seems to me that there are not enough protest songs these days……….. Well produced, the songs are supported wonderfully by her own guitar and with the help of several other fine musicians. The album is professionally packaged; it would make a fine gift for all your friends. Almond Greenway, 11 August 2009 Album Review: Folk & Roots. SEEDS OF FOOLS: Wendy Arrowsmith (cat number: ARRCD2009) In the two years since releasing her debut CD (Now Then?), the multi-talented Glasgow-born, North-Yorkshire-based Wendy has become a very familiar (if close on ubiquitous, tho' I do mean that in a nice way!) face at folk clubs and festivals around the region and beyond, either as a solo performer or as one-quarter-part of the band Blind Summat!. She's also scored a well-deserved hat-trick in winning songwriting competitions: at Saltburn (2007), Scarborough (Seafest 2008) and Ryedale (2009). The Visitor appeared on Now Then?, while the latter two are proudly included on this latest CD. Right at the outset, I'd say that Seeds Of Fools definitely fulfils, and exceeds, the promise Wendy already had already showed in spades on Now Then? It's not quite perfect, but what it does so very well is present all the various facets of her musical personality in sensible proportion, in a sympathetic and largely very believable recording which enables her enviably many talents to be heard to really good advantage. It's also an extremely well balanced collection, showcasing seven of her own compositions (that's half of the 14 tracks) alongside one exceptional contemporary cover, an attractive and atmospheric setting of Lady Nairne's Land O' The Leal (1798), and five well-contrasted traditional songs, at least two of which prove to be especially brave interpretations of classics of the repertoire. The whole disc is impressive, but the first four tracks make an especially strong impact. The disc leads off with what can only be described as a stunning interpretation of The Blacksmith (adapted from an arrangement by Kim Guy from Cornwall) that eclipses virtually any other version I know. Wendy's special achievement here is to lay bare the singer's intensely fragile, volatile emotional state, creating an intriguing internal dialogue (one key moment of realisation is especially tellingly dramatised); this is achieved by thoroughly rethinking the song in terms of expressive response and then creatively reflecting this in the musical accompaniment, which marries an unsettling interruption to the metricality of the accepted bar-lines to a singularly queasy swoon of weaving fiddle and cello while the guitar part almost numbedly tries to keep things calm and controlled. After the emotional turmoil of The Blacksmith, we're treated to Sleep Well 'Til Morning, Wendy's 2008 competition winner, which could easily be taken for a traditional fisherman's lullaby from the Western Isles, on which Wendy's own multitracked voice is boosted with some sensitive and delicate harmonies from The Young 'Uns. Then comes the first of two highly individual responses to modern-day war crises: Holy Ground, a cracking song by Missouri songwriter Steve Bailey, beautifully sung by Wendy and embellished with the sweetly intricate guitar of Chris Davison. This is followed by a compelling drone-based arrangement of Cruel Mother (featuring Blind Summat!'s Becks and Joolz), and Wendy's catchy and stirring anthem The Ribbon. Following which (space considerations preclude discussion of each and every track!) we're treated to spirited, full-sounding takes on The Gypsy Laddie and Twa Recruiting Sergeants (where Wendy's Scots lineage surfaces authentically!), and the lovely Counting The Dolphins (Wendy's experience of motherhood evidently informs such songs written to be sung to children), one of a clutch of Wendy's own songs which rounds off the disc in quite intimate fashion. Gaza To Argyll strikes home most poignantly, and the closing Hearth Song makes a real virtue out of its simplicity of sentiment and arrangement. Performance-wise, it's hard not to remark on just how good a singer Wendy is, her voice displaying tremendous presence and her singing having also developed increased assurance (especially in the handling of contours and dynamics) since Now Then? (itself a not unimpressive demonstration of her vocal versatility): even a mild imperiousness, or the occasional trace of self-conscious articulation (the tarrily legato approach to John Anderson, for instance) doesn't spoil the ship. Instrumentally, Wendy's very capable too (although she's the first to over-modestly undersell her accomplishments, which here embrace guitar, banjola, mandolin, whistles, accordion and bodhrán!) ' she plays to genuinely enhance the musical landscape rather than call attention to skilful note-spinning. As regards the recording, I could criticise a few matters of internal balance; e.g. Marjorie Paterson's fabulous cello playing is unduly recessed, too far in the background, and Wendy's own guitar sounds over-forward at times, as are Joolz's congas on Cruel Mother perhaps, but these are minor details that should not seriously mar your enjoyment of this well-rounded, truthful (and well-packaged and appealingly designed) portrait of Wendy's artistry. Album Review: Terry Ferdinand, Bishop FM: Seeds of Fools Wendy Arrowsmith has at long last brought out her new CD with 14 excellent songs showing the full range of her beautiful voice and skilful playing. The songs on the album range from the traditional to her own songs and feature a surprising array of artists, I was more than pleasantly surprised with fantastic harmonies of the Young’uns backing her on track 2 “SLEEP WELL ‘TILL MORNING”, this a song written by Wendy which shows her crystal clear voice off to perfection, the song itself sounds timeless, as if it has always been around and I’m sure it will be, and I am positive that it will be included by many artists in their repertoires. Wendy gives a fabulous rendition of THE BLACKSMITHS and credits Kim Guy with the arrangement; her guitar work is beautifully structured. THE HOLY GROUND, really show cases her guitar playing to perfection with an absolutely beautiful and flawless performance throughout. CRUEL MOTHER is another song I have heard Wendy sing on many occasions, but none as fine as this version. REBEKAH FINDLAY’s inspired violin playing, and Joolz with her astounding grasp of percussion, add another dimension and take this song up to another level. I could go on about the other songs but I won’t, it would spoil the surprise for you when you buy it and listen to the 14 diverse and exceptionally well produced songs, I will however mention one of my favourite songs, THE RIBBON a song wrote by Wendy, that brings back smiley and fond memories of her performance of it at KFFC, with her husband Paul and Glynn lovingly standing behind her doing all these exaggerated hand actions about holding the ribbon as the ship sails off, and almost dragging them along with it. It is so humorous and has to be seen to be believed, how Wendy keeps a straight face is beyond me. Another good reason for listening to THE RIBBON is the inclusion of Paul’s wonderful and vastly under rated and under used Banjo Playing (sorry Wendy) lol. .In conclusion, all I want to say is that I thought Wendy’s first CD (NOW THEN) was brilliant, and it was, but the SEEDS OF FOOls, leaves it well behind, Wendy has musically matured so much, has chosen her musical friends so well and has definitely produced a winning CD. Terry Ferdinand