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Media Reviews of The Harbour Lights

"The website looks okay, but what are the band really like?"  The following are Harbour Lights reviews from the Media:

"A beautiful voice combined with some truly brilliant, subtle and heartfelt song writing which transcends genre and even easy classification.  Harbour Lights create something magical in their playing, that through their gentle melodies, can bring warmth to the coldest of nights and stir the emotions. They deserve the international recognition of their current peers." 
(Tom Rose - Reveal Records)


"Coming together as a three piece house band for a regular event at St Paul's Church in Derby and gradually evolving into their current sextet format, they've largely spent their career to date on the Christian music circuit, releasing debut album Leaving Safe Anchorage last year. However, given the exposure, their sophomore should easily see them expanding their audience into the contemporary folk-rock mainstream.

Fronted by the striking, dust and silk vocals of Bethan Court, obvious comparisons would have to include Fleetwood Mac, Kate Rusby, and Sandy Denny but you might also hear hints of Judy Collins and Eva Cassidy in there too.  Listening to her on the gently rippling autumnal Another Rainbow or the world weary Sweet Hand of Mercy is a bit like bathing in aural Radox, the soothing sound of late summer evenings and fireflies.

The band's other prime strength lies in the songs of Phil Baggaley, sometimes quietly melancholic at others shimmering with a sense of joy and determination; wistfully veined with themes of loss and stalled emotions on Watching It Slip Away, Mayday and the wonderful waltzing title track or celebrating the redemptive nature of love on the tumbling folk pop of Five Senses and the simple wonder of the universe in Stargazing. There's times when he calls to mind Julie Gold.

Having said that, two numbers hark to traditional English folk ballad. The Storm Gate is tale of a Whitby boy sailing with Captain Cook while his intended waits at home, verses sung by both the lovers and the lad's sister. And, arguably the album's standout track, Gunmetal Grey is a brooding warning not to harden your heart that, with its steady drum beat, electric guitar and the edge Court brings to her singing, would add lustre to a Steeleye Span album.

A veritable shining beacon in the folk pop seas, let them guide you safe to shore."
(Mike Davies; Independent Radio, Birmingham)


"Deep lyrics carried by beautiful vocal talent ... One of the first things you'll notice about The Harbour Lights is the considerable vocal talents of singer Bethan Court.

But, for me the most engaging aspect of the music on The Harbour Lights' second album, Closed For The Winter, is songwriter Phil Baggaley's deep and thoughtful lyrics.

As with their debut album, Leaving Safe Anchorage, there's a strong folk feel to the music.

Phil, Bethan and their fellow band members Steve Canner, Rob Bullock, Chris Pearson and Ian Blythe have had considerable success since forming in early 2005 as the house band for Soul Cafe at St Paul's church, in Derby.  Last year they played the Great Hall of the Assembly Rooms and are planning another show at the venue in October.

Phil is pleased with the way the band has developed... "I feel like the band sounds like it's further on," he says.  "It's almost intangible but the more time the band spends making music together, the more it begins to find its own sound.  People really enjoy what we do and it's a bit different from normal."'
(Emma Shaw; Derby Evening Telegraph)

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