Cotton

I buy a lot of music during a year. In fact I am going to have to move house just so I have enough music storage space soon.However, I can count on the fingers of a single hand how many times something has stopped me in my tracks quite like Sam Baker. The first time I listened to "Pretty World" I was hooked but I just couldn't understand why. Since then, I have listened more and more to that CD and this one too, and I think it is just the sheer simplicity of the musical arrangement and the sheer desperation of the stories depicted in the lyrics.Absolutely unbelievably good ! "Cotton" is easily my favourite album that I have bought this year.If you get the chance then go and see him in the autumn tour of the UK as well - this guy should be huge and I hope that someday soon he will be.

Sam has approached the 'difficult 3rd album' in the same way as he approached the first two. OK, so there are strings and piano here and there, and yes at times you feel it might slip into over production. But, essentially it's Sam with his trademark delivery, communicating. 'Signs' is a gem and sums up his ability to make you think after the track has finished. See him live if you can. I saw him in Newcastle 48 hours ago and he was in animated form, stories and more stories, spontaneity and participation, and that delivery - magic.

The third album in the trilogy and, in my opinion, his finest. You get a real feeling of forgiveness and redemption throughout the album. Had the privilege of meeting Sam on his recent UK tour. A truly inspiring person who sings with real heart and soul. He is perhaps the best song-writer to emerge in the last 10 years and in his final track 'snow' has penned one of the best songs written in recent times.

This is a must buy album from Sam Baker, his understated presentation, wonderful storytelling, beautifully crafted songs just make the whole album a real gem. The songs appear to be from real life, often from the wrong side of 'luck' but always with an uplifting feel to them, a real person singing songs from real life....wonderful.....

Just discovered this guy great singer songwriter

To put it mildly, Sam Baker's voice is an acquired taste. The songs, however, should appeal to many. Like listening to Tom Waits, when you get his voice, you realise what you have been missing. Don't take, my word for it, just listen.

Heard the Song Snow on the Bob Harris Country show on Radio 2. I liked the pictures the words conjured up so I bought the Album. It is a little out of the norm but it really grew on me. Give it a listen

I can only advise anyone to take the time to listen to this album, along with Mercy and Pretty world they are a musical treat, where the sum of the parts is far more than you could expect.Sam baker has stories to tell, about his life, about other peoples lives. Think Cormac McCarthy meets Tom Waits meets Townes Van Zandt. Tales of the struggle of ordinary people, simple songs, haunting melodies, Sam Baker has here created a masterpiece.