(11 August 2003) Discovered as our Laura Turner feature went to press initially, her first album Some Horses (Rock House Music Productions (USA), 1995) is a sharp contrast to her 2003 album Soul Deep. The album is comprised of thirteen country and western favourites. Recorded in 1995, the album includes well known country and western songs like "Streets of Laredo," "King of the Road" and "Sweet Wyoming Home." The album gives a unique insight to the artist's development and although un-noticed at the time of release, her rising popularity is likely to draw attention to this early work.

Produced and engineered by Trent Walker, Laura sings lead vocals and is joined by Michael Dowdle (guitar), Vince Frates (piano), Todd Sorensen (drums), Pat Smith (bass), Ben Winship (mandolin), and Timothy Hodgson (fiddle). Backing vocals are contributed by Jake Gray, Marsh Morford and Amy Winkle. The album was arranged by Daniel Lee. Don't expect operatic vocals here--this is a country and western album. We would expect nothing less from Laura Turner--the material is sung well and simply well arranged. Hear the early work of this rapidly emerging singer on this recording.

While each of the tracks will appeal differently to enthusiasts of Laura's work, the title track ("Some Horses") and "Borderline" are certainly album standouts. The electric guitar work and vocal excursions are most notable. A mix of ballads, sing-alongs and country and western standards span the album. The unmistakable clarity of Laura's well-trained voice is evident in "Night Riders Lament." Her treatment of "Streets of Laredo" and "King of the Road" is lovely. The crystalline vocal work in the country ballads "Old Tin Barn" and "Lights Of Home" is also enticing. The tender vocals in "Rock a Bye" explore the wider extremes of Laura's early range. The guitar solos are also excellent.

Some Horses will appeal to a somewhat different audience than Soul Deep. Country and western music remains the most widely listened to genre in America and while the Some Horses is an outstanding recording, it falls short of showing Laura's vocal range. Nor does it illustrate her rare talent of blending operatic vocals with popular arrangements. But it is an essential album for completists and those that want to see what she did earlier in her career.

The album is available through the Horse Feathers Ranch online store. Click on the album cover to visit their site. While there are no soundbites online at this time, perhaps some mp3s will be added as interest in the artist grows with the release of Soul Deep. Visit our online feature and Laura's website for further information on what the artist is doing now. There are no references to this project in either of these locations. This album, a rare find, required a bit more behind-the-scenes research.