THE past 10 years have been a journey for Carol Lee-Sampson.
The Malvern musician, who hails from Jersey, got divorced, lost her mum, got remarried and had a baby - major, life-changing events that fuelled the creation of her latest album Back To Life.
"I started performing way back in the 80s, doing cabaret," she said.
"Then I came to England and was travelling around, singing in working men's clubs and doing day jobs in between to top up the income.
"It feels like a lifetime ago."
The first change came when Carol became a Christian.
"The music took a bit of a turn," she said, "I was involved in a lot of Christian recordings. My faith gave me a different focus and I did that for about 10 years or so."
She only stopped, she said, following "a change of circumstances".
"I went through some struggles, like you do when life takes a different turn and you're not expecting it.
"I went through a divorce, lost my mum, got married again and had a child (Jack, now aged four). I came back feeling very humbled by it all. I'm now much more understanding of other people's problems, having been through some myself.
"I wouldn't say I was judgmental before, just... I still have a faith, but it has changed. My experiences have brought me back down to earth."
Describing the album as contemporary pop rather than folk, Carol is also one half of a duo. She and American Tyler Massey can often be heard playing pubs in and around Malvern.
In fact, this Sunday they are playing The Three Kings in Hanley Castle and on Sunday, April 29, they will be at the Mount Pleasant in Malvern.
Copies of Back To Life are available from the Malvern Hills Gallery, on Worcester Road, and by contacting Carol on carolleesampson @gmail.com
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