Music Is My Silence

\'so brilliant, so moving.\' Annie Lennox O'Hooley...a dark secret in the serious world of traditional folk... - The Guardian Music Is My Silence is a collection of intimate and atmospheric stories featuring Belinda on piano and vocals with contributions from world class musicians including trumpet player Steve Waterman (Jazz Musician of the Year 2003) and Sarah Allen (Flook) on Flute. Northern folk, rock, contemporary classical, plus a touch of comedy have all been used to describe the music of Belinda O'Hooley. In reality, her performances contain all this plus much more. Belinda is best known as the songwriter and pianist in Mercury Prize nominated folk band Rachel Unthank & the Winterset. In Belinda, the Unthanks had a virtuosic and charismatic pianist, but one completely unaccustomed to accompanying traditional English music. The result was an imaginative and striking sound, free from clichs and predictability. Although Belinda has a singer-songwriter career of her own, her day-job was performing in residential and nursing homes for the elderly. Her ability to play everything from the big band arrangements of the 1950's to the jazz, musical hall and wartime songs of the 30's and 40's, made her a musician of startling versatility, with an understanding of her instrument second to none. Recognised for her song writing and virtuoso piano playing, she has been praised for making fantastic, lasting and important songs. In January this year, Belinda left the band to concentrate on other projects. The Daily Telegraph described Belinda O'Hooley's departure from the band as akin to Brian Eno leaving Roxy Music. Now Belinda is back to running the show - and a good show it always is. A full UK tour is promised in March 2009, but as a taster, she has a handful of dates coming up this November. Belinda co-headlines this autumn with rising folk star and fellow ex-Winterset band member; Jackie Oates whose album The Violet Hour is receiving rave reviews. Belinda will be joined on stage by the velvety-voiced Heidi Tidow. Together, they combine a well-crafted songbook, interweaving sublime harmonies, with a touch of northern banter.