I am so happy Heather Findlay sent me her new solo album, Wildflower. This is not the kind of music you, or I remember from Mostly Autumn. No, this is a different direction for Heather. She, like Doris Brendel, pushed herself beyond what was expected and created something very memorable and perfect for the times. Wildflower was released on the 28th of March 2025, on Black Sand Records.
This is relaxing, folk/country music; and it is just what we need, in these times full of massive changes around the world. Something that feels and sounds like home. Comfortable and at times carefree. Absolutely the remedy all of us need right now, facing the daily changes we are confronted with on the news, each morning.
“Hi, It’s Just Me (Part 1)”, is a nice opening welcome to her album. Heather pretends you are calling her and she welcomes us all. “I know you’ve been having a tough time lately. You’re not alone. I’m here if you ever want to talk. I love you!” Over 0:41 seconds of empathy and personal warmth. In a time when we all need it the most. A seldom heard welcome, in a time of despair, full of anger, unwelcomed and hateful feelings, along with worldwide fear. With wars still burning and global economic warfare under way. This was the perfect opening, to leave all of that behind us.
Then, she welcomes you further into the comfort of her album, with “You Light the Fire”. An invitation to set your feet by the fire and just relax and let the world wash away for a while, and dissolve into friendship. Heather sings with warm emotion, “Why don’t you rest that heavy heart. It’s getting cold out their alone. Come on inside, its getting dark”. The welcome we all want every day; from the friends we keep close. She sings, “I have time enough for you. Time to unwind and put the crazy world to rest”. She is probably talking about a spouse or mate, but it sounds like it could be a wish for the world. We don’t take the time to talk to each other anymore. Not like we used to in the past. Over 3 minutes of acoustic guitar and Heather singing a warm welcome. Just hits the spot for what the world needs right now. Is “love, love, love”, if you remember that song.
“Wildflower”, the title song, opens with a wonderful melody on acoustic guitar with Heather singing. That melody sounds like an old Cat Stevens’ song I remember from my youth. “Matthew and Son’, that’s the one. It sounds so good set to Heather’s voice with the acoustic guitar. A song about growing wild and not working so hard to meet other people’s standards. “Let go and grow just like a wildflower. Grow anywhere. Grow simply. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt. Come on and love yourself first”. Great advice, about dreaming and working to realize those dreams. Who says these things anymore? Not enough people. We all need to hear these words, and especially the young.
“Now I See”, is a song about understanding love better, especially with someone very close. Heather sings, “Love’s what you are…to me”.
“Pure Love”, adds some tambourine and additional guitars. A “golden morning” of love; and the very best kind, the purest.
When I saw the track titles, I thought Heather might cover the Paul McCartney classic with “Blackbird”. Heather’s song is just as deep, but the lyrics and story are a little different. She adds what sounds like sitting steel guitar, as a weeping effect. A sad song, asking us all to love ourselves and don’t let the world bring you down too far. The second-longest track on the album. Heather sings, “There are times when the nights are cold, dark, and long. Turn to the one light burning on the inside”. Keep that light burning inside. Because even after the longest night, the sun rises each day.
“Ever True”, has a wonderful acoustic guitar with orchestration. Penny whistles take over midway through, and raise the level of the music even higher. “Dream of me if you please. Remember me if you please”. A beautiful love song, perfect to hear by a warm fire. Heather sings, so warmly, “Dream your dreams and be free, my love”.
“Still Burning”, opens with warm Portuguese mandola and Heather singing. She sings, “Well they say, there’s no smoke without fire”. This song features her good friend, and fellow Mostly Autumn mate, Troy Donockley on lead vocals and Portuguese mandola; (and not pipes and whistles, as you and I may have expected). Troy does a great job of dueting with Heather, and this song gains from their magic together. It is probably one of the best songs on the album.
“May it Be”, may be another play on the Beatles’ “Let it Be”, or maybe not. You decide. I’ll ask Heather when I interview her. It opens with grand piano keys and Heather singing, “Maybe we’ll find a better place. Maybe we’ll finally be awake. Where we see your face daily”. A reminder for me, of the spirit in the classic song, “Climb Every Mountain”, from the Sound of Music. The longest track on the album. “Maybe no one will have to bleed for peace”. A very hopeful song, like many Beatles and John Lennon songs you can remember. Penny whistles add just enough spirit to the piano and choirs supporting. Thank you for this warm and hopeful song, Heather.
What if life could be as simple as gathering apple seeds and replanting them for the future. “Appleseed”, tries to address just this desire, set to acoustic guitar and tambourine. It is also about your children growing up and maturing. The cosmic renewal process for all of the world, brought back to its simplest beginning. Full of a mother’s wonderful wishes for her children and all of the world.
“Arms of Oak”, opens with penny whistles and acoustic guitar. Heather sings, “I don’t want to leave. Just happy to be in your accompany. I’m grateful to be by your side. Wrap me in your arms of oak. While the beauty of summer unfolds. Cause wherever you may be, feels like home”. A wonderful fireside love song.
“Love All” (A Capella), opens with birdsong and Heather singing A Capella. Just wonderful. “The best things in life are still free. There is no ending to love. There is enough to fill the seeds”. The words are so wonderful to hear, and I won’t spoil the surprise. Enjoyed this amazing solo, vocal song, most of all.
“Hi, It’s Just Me” (Part 2), is a reprise of Heather leaving a goodbye message for us all.
Heather Findlay’s Wildflower, is just what we need right now. Burt Bacharach’s song and Jackie DeShannon singing it; brought to life in an entire album. This album needs to be heard by everyone feeling the tragedy of war, or any other tribulation you can imagine. A John Lennon level of lyrics and music, welcoming us all to embrace peace, enjoy life, and the world around us. Life is too short, and we all need Heather’s level of warmth and kindness, spread around the world. With some orders, she is even distributing seed packets to plant wildflowers everywhere. It is never too late…if you can “Imagine”. Please get Heather Findlay’s Wildflower and give peace and peacefulness another chance.
Album Track List:
- Hi, It’s Just Me (Part 1) – 0:41
- You Light the Fire – 3:16
- Wildflower – 3:13
- Now I see – 3:24
- Pure Love – 4:06
- Blackbird – 4:58
- Ever True – 3:45
- Still Burning (feat. Troy Donockley) – 3:27
- May it Be – 5:06
- Appleseed – 3:55
- Arms of Oak – 3:44
- Love All _A Capella) – 3:14
- Hi, It’s Just Me (Part 2) – 1:04
Credits:
All songs written and arranged by Heather Findlay. Except track 11: Co-written by Gary Gauser. Lead and backing vocals, guitars, piano, keyboards, low, and penny whistles and percussion recorded & performed by Heather Findlay. Track 8: Featuring Troy Donockley on lead vocals and Portuguese mandola. Mixed and Mastered by Nick Brine. Produced by Heather Findlay.
All original art disc SeeDee covers are created, signed, cut and jute bundled to their card wallets personally by Heather. Wildflower Special Edition SeeDee Bundles are being made to order and are shipping out in batches on a first ordered, first shipped basis, beginning mid-February 2025. Regular updates are being provided by email to all Special Edition SeeDee preorder customers.
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/HeatherFindlay.Music/
https://www.instagram.com/heatherfindlay.creative/
https://www.blacksandrecords.com/heatherfindlay