ALDEN PATTERSON AND DASHWOOD - By The Night
Private Label
An interesting second album. Christina Alden (guitar) and Alex Patterson (fiddle) are capable instrumentalists whose voices harmonise rather well, especially when joined by the third voice of Noel Dashwood. And in his virtuoso dobro playing we have something very special. If ever Jerry Douglas - the doyen of dobro players - had to choose someone to stand in for him, he should look no further than Noel.
So, as performers, Alden Patterson and Dashwood are the real deal alright. As song writers though, I have yet to be convinced. Oh for sure, their songs contain well crafted lyrics and cover an impressive range of subjects, but they lack the vital spark that will see them getting widespread covers by floor singers, and melodically, they don’t have you humming the tune the following day.
I enjoyed the folk Americana content of the album the most: the songs Red Rocking Chair and Railroad really standing out from the rest. By contrast, the traditional English Blow The Wind (of Kathleen Ferrier ‘Southerly’ fame) and Ten Thousand Miles (surely, nailed forever by the incomparable Nic Jones?) fared much less well. They give the former a new second verse which theoretically adds another dimension to the song, but sadly lacks the poetry of the verse that Ferrier, Mouskouri et al have faithfully sung. And sadly, they partly sacrificed the beautiful melody on the altar of a curious Oom Cha Cha blandness. Reminds me of change for change’s sake. Seldom works: like Shakespeare in modern dress.
ww.aldenpattersonanddashwood.com
Dai Woosnam
 |
Many CDs we review are available from The Listening Post. Check to see if this CD is available. The Listening Post is the CD mailorder service of The Living Tradition magazine. This album was reviewed in Issue 125 of The Living Tradition magazine. |