REVIEW FROM www.livingtradition.co.uk

DANA AND SUSAN ROBINSON - The Angel's Share
Threshold Music TM1116

This couple will already be familiar to many in these islands, thanks to their frequent tours and performances at clubs and festivals. Their roots, however, are firmly planted in New England and, whilst their music is informed by the tradition, it often deals with more contemporary concerns. Those who have seen them will know what to expect; clean musicianship on a variety of stringed instruments and mellow vocals.

This time, for their sixth album no less, the song-writing of Dana is to the fore, accounting for eight of the 12 tracks. They are right to emphasise the title track, because it is the sort of number that could slip seamlessly into a traditional repertoire. It is a celebration of the Robinsons' links with Scotland and we get two goes at it - as a complete song in mid-CD and as a mandolin instrumental in a reprise. Of the material they have imported, Man Of Constant Sorrow and Derroll Adams' The Sky have had extensive outings elsewhere. The Robinsons do a good job on the songs, without either of them being quite the most show-stopping versions you've ever heard.

The Angel's Share is a consciously pared-down piece of work, with the minimum of added instrumentation – a spot of fiddle from Pete Sutherland on four tracks and cello on one. The idea is to de-clutter their sound and give the songs room to breathe. It seems to tie in with the couple's relocation to rural Vermont and the impulse when moving to ask: “Do we really need that?”

www.robinsongs.com

Dave Hadfield