Loreena McKennitt has a daughter! But seriously… it’s as good an introduction as any, as Anna Hawkins ’ album is of equivalent quality and depth, and I’m a big fan of McKennitt – fusing Celtic, operatic and international flavours into passionate songs and lyrical flows.

An especially wonderful aspect of this album is that it was recorded in Warsaw, Poland. (I’m from those parts myself, so am pleased to indulge).

A mixture of Anna’s originals and re-workings of ‘classics’ of the genre, including I’m Ready To Go Home, She Moved Through The Fair, the gloriously beautiful The Voice and La Voce Del Silenzio.

There’s a whole host of musicians involved with Pawel Zarecki in charge of musical production, programming, arranging and piano. Other instruments involved are guitar, bass, drums, harp, flutes and a string orchestra.

There’s really only one tenet for this release – you either like this sort of music or you don’t. Personally I find it irresistible – a beautiful voice that can move you to tears, fused with history, Celtic and Italian traditions… this is powerful stuff. Completely unpretentious yet totally rich – a brilliant debut from this young Waikato girl blessed with a beautiful voice.